Help Me Find My Thread

Help Me Find My Thread

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DRIFT

DRIFT

Wait… was I doing something important before this?

Wait… was I doing something important before this?

Wait… was I doing something important before this?

Wait… was I doing something important before this?

ADHD working memory can lose the active goal after an interruption. The task drops out of mental view.

ADHD working memory can lose the active goal after an interruption. The task drops out of mental view.

ADHD working memory can lose the active goal after an interruption. The task drops out of mental view.

ADHD working memory can lose the active goal after an interruption. The task drops out of mental view.

Help Me Find My Thread

Help Me Find My Thread

Show Me A Quick Restart

Show Me A Quick Restart

Do this with me

1

1

1

Stop and ask, “What was I doing?”

Stop and ask, “What was I doing?”

Pause before beginning something new and name the task that was active just before the interruption.

2

2

2

Check the last tab, note or object

Check the last tab, note or object

Use the most recent clue in front of you to retrieve the thread.

3

3

3

Write the next step before restarting

Write the next step before restarting

Make the next action visible before you return to the task.

Quick PowerUp support video for you

A quick task-retrieval reset

A quick task-retrieval reset

Understand what's happening

Why did I lose the thread?

Why did I lose the thread?

ADHD working memory can lose the active goal after an interruption. The task can drop out of mental view even when it still matters.

A visible cue can help retrieve the thread. The goal is to return before adding anything new.

What helps?

  • Ask, “What were you doing right before this?”

  • Point to a visible cue.

  • Do not add another instruction yet.

Helping someone else start

Try saying

Try saying

“What were you doing right before this? Let’s check the last tab, note, or object. We can retrieve the thread before adding anything new.”

What helps

What helps

  • Ask, “What were you doing right before this?”

  • Point to a visible cue.

  • Do not add another instruction yet.

Avoid

Avoid

  • Adding another task before retrieving the thread.

  • Assuming the task is gone because it was interrupted.

  • Giving several new instructions at once.

Still stuck?

Find the last clue

Find the last clue

Check the last tab, note, object, or open document to see what was active.

Name the next action

Name the next action

Write one small step that makes it easier to re-enter the task.

Pause new instructions

Pause new instructions

Do not add another instruction until the active thread has returned.

When additional help may be useful

Consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional when these difficulties are frequent, worsening, or significantly affecting work, school, relationships, sleep, or safety. ADHD support can include medication, psychotherapy, behavioural strategies, and practical coaching. Stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and other conditions can sometimes create similar difficulties.

Consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional when these difficulties are frequent, worsening, or significantly affecting work, school, relationships, sleep, or safety. ADHD support can include medication, psychotherapy, behavioural strategies, and practical coaching. Stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and other conditions can sometimes create similar difficulties.

ADHD PowerUp Cards provide educational and practical support. They do not diagnose ADHD or replace individualized medical or mental‑health care.

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