Thriving at the Edge of Chaos: Making ADHD a Superpower in College and Career - Softcover

Thomas, EdD, LPC, Jon L

Softcover

ISBN 10: 057859997X ISBN 13: 9780578599977

Publisher: ADHD College Success Guidance Program, The, 2019

Synopsis

Thriving at the Edge of Chaos

Through personal experience, case studies, research, and story, the author explains the missing skill sets that lead people with ADHD to fail in post-secondary education settings like college and training – and later, in the workplace.

In a concise, readable, and entertaining way Dr. Thomas makes a compelling case for developing these vital, precursor and requisite skills and – most importantly – explains how. His insightful explanations engage the reader to effectively begin developing and using these skills immediately.

Young adults who have ADHD struggle with college. Recent statistics report a 70% - 80% drop-out rate. And it’s not just students with ADHD – Only 56% of all college students complete a bachelor’s degree within 6 years. The resulting sense of failure follows them into the workplace and other areas of their lives as they are increasingly underemployed, underpaid, and unhappy. Fewer than 20% report even working in the career they trained for. They want to know why this is happening and what to do about it.

Across the board young people seem to be lacking in some requisite skill sets – either because they didn’t develop them in high school or did not generalize them into the increasingly complex and less structured environments of college, training, apprenticeship, and career. These missing vital proficiencies, and their precursors skills are key to discovering, preparing for, and successfully entering a career path.

Forbes and other American business magazines regularly cite the increasing demand for these “soft skills” in the workplace. Labels like teamworking, creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and empathy, executive functioning, and effective decision-making describe some of the most sought-after skills.

Coincidentally, these same skills could empower improved coping in a rapidly changing world, performance in college and other career preparation settings, and functioning in the world of work. A place where learning to effectively encounter failure is as important as knowing how to succeed – where discovering and motivating self toward a fulfilling life purpose offers the greatest reward.

Thriving at the Edge of Chaos provides young people effective access to these skills. It is an important read for any young adult – ADHD or not – tasked with creating their life in today's complex and changing world.

Accolades for Thriving at the Edge of Chaos

I breathed a sigh of relief after reading this book. Here they are, in black-and-white, actual written instructions to lead my kid from darkness and exclusion into what has been the elusive world of even baseline achievement and triumph. If we think of ADHD as an exaggerated display of the difficulty all young people face in their quest for adulthood in our rapidly changing world, this book offers extraordinary insight as well as tools for success for all young people on this journey. – Sharon Pettigrew, mother of kid with ADHD and auditory processing disorder

Finally, a book that meets young people with ADHD where they live! Jon Thomas combines innovative approaches to both external skill development and deep inner work. The result is that now young adults struggling on “the edge of criticality” are able to make sense of their experience and influence the course of their own future. Bravo! – David Flohr, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist, 35 years working with youth and families

Thriving at the Edge of Chaos is a perfect snapshot of Jon Thomas and his philosophy. From the adversity he faced, Jon weaves a unique perspective, and becomes a powerful voice for those with ADHD. With research, case studies and personal experience, many would say that this is his life’s work. I would say, that it is, in fact, his life. Connor Cuevo, George Mason University, Class of 2022.

Edition details

• Publisher: ADHD College Success Guidance Program, The
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 057859997X
• ISBN 13: 9780578599977
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 248