An ADD Woman

Hi! I’m Brenda Nicholson – a blogger, passionate planner, and An ADD Woman.

I first found out I had ADHD at the age of 42, while I was getting my oldest, Sarah, diagnosed for learning disabilities. Turned out she had both LD and ADHD; they often occur together.

But that wasn’t my first experience with ADHD.Brenda Nicholson

When my son, Andy (16 months younger than Sarah) was just a toddler, I could tell there was something different about him that went far beyond personality differences. That was around 1986-87.

I’ve been studying ADHD ever since.
ADHD and Keeping House

I found out shortly after I got married that I wasn’t very good at housekeeping, even though I wanted to be. But somehow, my house was always a wreck, especially after we had kids.

I tried everything, but nothing stuck. Not even Flylady.

Then one day I found a book: Sidetracked Home Executives, and it changed my life!

I was organized for the first time in my life!

By that time I had 3 kids under the age of 5, but my house was beyond organized and clean. I was so proud when my parents came to visit!
(Trying) to Save the World

I always told my girls (Caitlin was born 3 years after Andy) that you can’t save the world, but we’ve all tried – and probably still do.

I started this blog to help other women like me – with ADHD – figure life out, understand their symptoms, and just have a better life.

In 2000, I finished my requirements and became an ADD Coach.

Shortly after, I initiated and helped start a Coaching Program for the ADD students at Schoolcraft College, where I worked in Learning Assistance. It was fully funded – half by the state, and half by the college. And it was a success!

I was really proud of that!
Some of My Accomplishments

In the years since these are some of my accomplishments:

• An ADD Woman has won numerous awards in the 12+ years it has been online
• Worked as a consultant with 3 major pharmaceutical companies
• Spent some time when I lived in Michigan working as a private ADD Coach
• Been published twice in ADDitude magazine
• Contacted by Anderson Cooper’s staff to help put together a show about ADHD
• Mentioned in an article in Time magazine
• Worked as the ADD Expert at Answers.com for almost a year. (Their funding ran out.)

My Values and Mission Statement

I think that it’s important for you to know what my values are, as well as my intentions in running this blog and business.

My Values

• Honesty – always and above all else. I was brought up to tell the truth. My parents always said they would punish me more for lying than for what I had done, and I still live by that.
• Integrity – without it, you are nothing. I have always taught my kids that your word is gold. It’s your reputation.
• Value – I always try to give you as much value as possible. My goal is to serve you, as best as I can, by always doing my very best.
• Learning and growing – so that I can pass on the very latest and best knowledge to you.

An ADD Woman’s Mission Statement

To help women with ADHD learn to manage their symptoms and everyday life more effectively by providing:

• Education
• Tips
• Strategies
• Products and courses