The end of "Information Overload"

Do you ever feel like you have so many ideas and so much information crowded into your head that it may just explode at any second? Whenever I'm working hard on a research project or just trying to figure out all my options so I can make an "informed" choice, I always reach a point where I just hit overload. A technique that can help avoid that feeling is called mind mapping. Because it's very visual it's sometimes recommended to kids and adults with ADD when they are planning projects. But even if you don't consider yourself a "visual learner", don't miss out on this technique. It's also great for those of us who are just on constant "information overload".

Here's how it works:

A mind map is a simple paper and pencil way of capturing your thoughts and getting them down on paper, without having to agonize over organization and prioritizing. It encourages your mind to roam freely on a subject, without boxing yourself into a structure that you find tedious or constricting. You simply draw a circle in the middle of the paper and jot your topic inside. Then you begin to draw spokes coming out of the circle with phrases related to your topic. Each spoke can then sprout additional lines as ideas and thoughts occur to you. You don't have to organize or prioritize -- you just capture everything in one place. Once all your thought and ideas are before you, you can begin to make decisions or identify a direction to proceed.

When to use a mind map -- the beauty of this kind of tool is that you can virtually use it for anything ......

• Helping your child plan a school project
• Creating a new IEP or deciding how to revamp an old one
• Developing an action plan to help your adult child with job-hunting
• Plotting a discussion with your child's teacher
• Writing a personal research plan to learn more about your child's diagnosis
• Developing a personalized futures plan with your child
• Outlining a disability awareness campaign in your community

For example:

If you want to make an mind map to help you effectively advocate for your child with Asperger Syndrome you might start with the phrase Asperger Syndrome in your center circle. Coming out on the spokes you might identify a variety of symptoms that your child is experiencing. They could be related to educational issues, social issues, physical needs, self care skills -- what ever your family is experiencing. From each symptom you could then bring out a smaller line to jot down possible strategies you've read about (or those you've tried if you want to use the map to document your efforts). A second map could even be developed to keep track of where you are finding information. Use AS Info as your central circle and then spokes might include people, books, websites, organizations, etc. Each spoke would then sprout smaller lines with specific resources that you want to remember or explore.

Intrigued?

You can learn more about Mind mapping using these resources:

• Mapping Inner Space: Learning and Teaching Mind Mapping by Nancy Margulies - Not only does this book contain the basics of mindmapping® techniques pioneered by Tony Buzan, it presents something that many of us are lacking -- stroke by stroke exercises in drawing simple iconic figures that can be quickly mastered and incorporated into your mindmaps®...as someone who is "graphically challenged" I particularly appreciated these drawing lessons!
• The Power of Mind Mapping! by Marcus Ingemann. This PDF guide shows how to use mind maps to boost your creativity, achieve faster success, greater results, and develop winning ideas at the speed of thought!
• Just want to take a peak and see what I'm talking about? Click here to view some examples (these aren't related to special needs topics, but you'll get the idea.)
• Want to give a try at zero-cost? While there some really good mind map software programs out there, many are somewhat costly. If you want to give it a whirl on the cheap, try Bubbl. This web-based software lets you develop mind maps, save them as images and then print or email them to share with others.

Have fun exploring this fun strategy & never get stuck with brain overload again!