[Grad0507]

Why is it that when someone presents a clear and direct statement of what is being asked, that the person will spend all day saying that he/she doesn’t know what is being asked? Do people with ADHD only understand indirect cues? Does this relate to an inability to retain information in short-term memory?

[sarahsweets]

can you elaborate more?

[MickeyCheeky]

People with ADHD can definitely have some trouble listening, Grad0507. I'm not sure if they have memory problems as well, though. Can you make some examples about your specific situation? Dealing with people with ADHD is certainly not impossible. I hope things will get better soon for you and for him/her. Sending many hugs to you and to him/her

[son1]

I am guilty of not listening sometimes and sometimes I look too deep for the answer and sometimes

I focus on just a part of it.
What I find more often people don't know what I am talking about and I think sometimes I get distracted myself with what I'm saying and get off on another subject.
It's all about distraction.............Does anyone know how I can find the main adhd forum or a list?

[Fuzzybear]

[TheNightWhistle]

Originally Posted by Grad0507

Why is it that when someone presents a clear and direct statement of what is being asked, that the person will spend all day saying that he/she doesn’t know what is being asked? Do people with ADHD only understand indirect cues? Does this relate to an inability to retain information in short-term memory?

Obviously the person you're dealing with wasn't paying attention when you were explaining what you wanted from them. Repetition is very important with people like this.

[dontworrybaby]

i know that if somebody's giving me direction to do something but it's not something i fully know how to do and their directions are really really vague, i sometimes don't know where to start.

if it involves multiple steps, allow them to write them down, and be as clear as possible. i do think this has to do with short-term memory issues.

even following a clear list can be frustrating cuz it takes a long time to go over all the steps and make sure everything was done correctly and nothing was missed.

saying something in a way that sparks interest helps. i can't explain this, other than "don't be boring" (and this isn't very helpful, sorry). maybe see if there's a way to make the task more engaging? sometimes not possible if you're asking for something that's tedious by nature, like doing a chore.

[Fishie]

I work retail. My boss knows he has to be extremely specific with what he wants me to do otherwise I take my own version of what he wants and do that, which may not be what he wanted.

He also knows if I am in the middle of something and he wants me to so another task as well, he knows that I always finish the first thing first, as otherwise it will never get done. So he may have to ask me to do the second task again later but more as a reminder like, "Hey did you do restock yet?"

Try to find what works best for both of you. Sounds like the person you were with was just not listening all together. Try to make it sound interesting, or at the very least important enough to catch their attention. My boss usually starts with something along the lines of, "If your bored I have plenty of things to keep you busy." But he has ADHD as well so he gets it and tries to help me out where he can with understanding what is asked of me because he sometimes needs the samething (he uses lists and they are ALL over the office).

[avlady]

I was tested in a 10 minute cognitive test that used cognitive testing questions such as which way are two out of 3 actions going, I got a 50 out of 100 on it the doc said it was a poor score but my memory was being tested too and I have short term memory loss which also showed up om an MRI scan. I have TBI and am going through back issues too and am in a lot of pain and may need an operation. please pray!!!

[bunnyhabit]

people have to explain stuff to me carefully in simple english to absorb. if i don't comprehend I ignore. is more important when I am high that speech is easy to understand.