While some still believe the old myth that AD/HD is "only a children's" disorder, research confirms the lived experience of individuals and families that this is certainly not true. As indicated in several of the National Resource Center's information sheets, such as What We Know #1: The Disorder Named AD/HD, up to 60 percent of children with AD/HD continue to exhibit symptoms into adulthood.
This means that between 2% and 4% of the adult population face the challenges of living with attention-deficit/-hyperactivity disorder. This can prove difficult in day-to-day living, but even more so when it comes to the working world.
The National Resource Center on AD/HD offers some helpful information on our Web site. In addition, our information sheet, What We Know #16: Succeeding in the Workplace, offers insights given by career counselors for people with AD/HD as to finding work and succeeding in jobs once they are found.
It may seem obvious, but the first step in succeeding in the workplace is having a place to work ... i.e. finding a job if you don't already have one! For adults with AD/HD, WWK #16 offers some helpful advice for job-seekers. Individuals with AD/HD should:
- Identify areas of interest and seek work in those areas.
- Identify skills and seek jobs that require those skills.
- Understand their personality traits and use this knowledge to strengthen their work habits and achieve greater success.
- Know their values and find jobs in line with those values.
- Discover their aptitudes and use that knowledge to acquire skills that will advance their career.
- Learn their energy patterns and work on different tasks at different times of the day based on those patterns.
- Learn excellent workplace habits and implement them.
- Go over a complete history of all previous jobs to learn what has worked in the past and what has not.
There are resources available to assist people with AD/HD in finding the job for them. In addition to career counselors, the Job Accommodation Network can help. There is even a specific section dealing with AD/HD and learning disabilities. Another Web site is Employer Assistance Referral Network (EARN). This Web site bills itself as "your one stop source for disability employment information..." The purpose is to help link persons with disabilities with employers who are seeking qualified candidates.
Once a job is found, there are a number of ways for individuals with AD/HD to manage the symptoms of the disorder and succeed in their workplace. WWK #16 outlines some pitfalls:
- Distractibility: The external work environment can have a number of distractions. To address this, a private office or cubicle might help, and using "white noise" can reduce the number of audible distractions. Performing one task at a time and not beginning a new one until the first task is done can help keep people with AD/HD focused on the work at hand.
- Impulsivity: This can lead to outbursts, both happy and unhappy, in the workplace. To keep impulses in check, self-talk can help individual with AD/HD monitor their own behaviors. Another idea is to get regular feedback to see how impulsivity might manifest itself. Anticipating problems that lead to impulsive behaviors and developing a plan to avoid or cope with those situations can help as well.
- Hyperactivity: Adults with hyperactivity tend to find more success in jobs they can "move around" in. However, for sedentary jobs, it is helpful to take intermittent breaks to photocopy or check mail. Taking notes in meetings to keep occupied can combat restlessness.
- Poor Memory: Not remembering deadlines and other tasks can be difficult for other team members as well as for the individual with AD/HD. Using checklists for complex tasks can help keep things prominent and organized, can help. A bulletin board or computer reminder list can also keep deadlines in sight and keep workers with AD/HD on task.
- Time Management Difficulties: Managing time is often a challenge for adults with AD/HD. Using time lines for large projects, and creating smaller chunks with individual due-dates can help. Some kind of alarm or buzzer can also help by serving as a cue that a deadline or meeting is coming up. It is also important for someone with AD/HD to reward one's self for completing a task, even if that is meeting a sub due-date for a larger project.
- Procrastination: Putting work off can cause a number of problems for the entire organization. To combat this, it is helpful to break projects down into smaller components – as mentioned in the time management paragraph above. To help get work done, have someone to be accountable to – a coach, co-worker or a supervisor. As each smaller task is complete, report this progress to that Person. Again, a small, self-reward for completing individual parts of a major project can go a long way.
For more information and other helpful tips, read the full WWK #16.
A particular challenge faced by people with AD/HD in the workplace is the question of whether or not to inform their employer about their diagnosis. This can be a tough decision, and every individual needs to weighs the pros and cons for him/herself. One the one hand, legal accommodations can only be requested if the employer is informed. On the other hand, it is also possible that the employer may discriminate, even subtly, against the employee. For more information on legal questions, see What We Know #14: Legal Rights: Higher Education and the Workplaceor go to the NRC Web site section dealing with the Legal System.
AD/HD can create challenges for people in finding and maintaining a job. But the right techniques can help manage the symptoms and thus the consequences of AD/HD. Putting good habits into effect can have a huge positive impact on people with AD/HD in the workforce.
