ADD With a Positive Spin
Hunters, Farmers, Reframing & Aliveness
Featuring Thomas (Thom) Hartmann from his video, ADD a New Perspective
Used with the author's permission

When I got interested in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), I was fortunate, very fortunate, to start my reading with several books by Thom Hartmann (right)..

Fortunate because Hartmann provides a positive context for a "disorder" that otherwise might have felt embarrassing (or worse) to admit to.

The three edited excerpts below include some of the best material off of a video program Hartmann did years ago. Below, you'll find a link to order a newer video titled ADHD: Hunter in a Farmer's World, I'm sure it will contain similar material to what I've included here.

The first excerpt below introduces Hartmann's story/model of ADD actually being the skill set of a hunter; it includes a comparison between characteristics common to hunters (people with ADD) and those common to farmers (people without ADD).

The second section includes Hartmann's thoughts about the importance of reframing and a discussion of where "having" ADD can lead to success.

The final section introduces Hartmann's theory that Maslow missed the need for aliveness in building his theory of motivation, and he explains how the need for aliveness plays into ADD.

If you find this interesting, I'd suggest you order the complete video, as I've only included the highlights.

Note: The files below are in the Real Media format. They download faster for listening.
If you'd rather have these files on a CD, so you can listen to them in the car, click here.

11:59 The Hunter/Farmer Model
11:27 Reframing ADD as a Gift
16:24 The "Need" Maslow missed -- Aliveness

Click here to visit Thom Hartmann's web site.

Click below to order one of Thom Hartmann's books from Amazon.com:

Thom Hartmann's Complete Guide to ADHD: Help for Your Family at Home, School and Work, August 2000
Attention Deficit Disorder : A Different Perception, October 1997
Healing ADD : Simple Exercises That Will Change Your Daily Life, March 1998
Add Success Stories: A Guide to Fulfillment for Families With Attention Deficit-Disorder: Maps, Guidebooks, and Travelogues for Hunters in This farm , December 1995

Click here to order thes video tape ADHD: Hunter in a Farmer's World, Video from Thom Hartmann.

Here's what Thom's site says about him:

Thom Hartmann is the creator of the "Hunter in a Farmer's World" metaphor for describing ADD and ADHD, and the author of seven books on Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD, ADHD, or AD/HD).

The most recent (2002) scientific research, done by the world's top geneticists and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, demonstrate that he was right in his 1992 theory - the gene most commonly associated with ADHD really does something good, and has been under "positive selection" since its emergence in the human genome 40,000 years ago.

Each of his books contain information on education, psychology, psychotherapy, the use of drugs such as Ritalin for ADHD, and how we can reinvent our schools, workplaces, and general culture to work for all children and adults, including those with ADD or ADHD or AD/HD and other learning disabilities.