Research shows employees with ADHD can be more curious, creative, imaginative, innovative, and inventive. They tend to be out-of-the-box thinkers, with an approach that can be highly prized in the workplace. Your ADHD symptoms can work for you, when you learn more about them and have proper treatment.
"Although many adults with ADHD have very successful careers, others struggle with a variety of challenges, including poor communication skills, distractibility, poor memory, time management issues, lack of interpersonal skills, procrastination, hyperactivity and difficulty managing complex projects."
People living with ADHD work in a wide range of job roles and industries. Some find that highly structured roles with a clear schedule helps them stay focused and in control. Others thrive in fast-paced, high intensity roles where they can use their skills of fast thinking and adaptability.
ADHD: a disabling condition
It is recognized as a disability under the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act.
You must disclose your documented diagnosis, and show that ADHD “substantially limits a major life activity” — in this case, your job. Formal requests for an accommodation must be made in writing, and the accommodation(s) you ask for shouldn't place an undue hardship on the operation of the employer's business.
Simplify your life as much as possible — reduce extra activities, clubs, committees, and commitments. › Take care of yourself — get enough sleep, exercise, down time, and healthful food. › Learn and practice relaxation, meditation, yoga, deep breathing. › Get yourself out in nature — very ADD-friendly!
Yes, ADHD is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). There are several types of disabilities, including but not limited to: learning disability. cognitive disability.
“There is most likely a bidirectional, multidirectional, relationship between ADHD and stress.” In other words, difficulties caused by ADHD symptoms can cause you to feel stressed, and stress can make those symptoms worse.
Timing: You are not obligated to disclose your diagnosis during any part of the hiring process, including when you are applying for a job or during an interview. Knowledge: You may want to keep the disclose private to your manager, or you may want to also tell your co-workers.
It can make it tough to excel at work and sometimes even keep a job. You may feel restless or not be able to focus -- classic parts of having the disorder. But there are things you can do to help you get a job and thrive despite your ADHD.
Poor time management, difficulty setting priorities, and other job-related difficulties bedevil workers with ADHD. These problems all have to do with executive functioning, a set of cognitive abilities arising within the brain's prefrontal lobe. “This is the part of the brain that does self-monitoring,” says Nadeau.
The five gifts of ADHD include creativity, emotional sensitivity, exuberance, interpersonal empathy, and being nature-smart (The Gift of Adult ADD, 2008).
Are ADHD Superpowers Real? There's been a lot of focus on the harmful symptoms of ADHD. Although there's less research on ADHD superpowers, people with ADHD report that they are more energetic, creative, courageous, and resilient than people without the condition.
Shankman: Simply put, ADHD is the brain's inability to produce as much dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline as “regular” people's brains produce. Because of that, our brains have become “faster.” When managed right, that becomes a superpower. Have you found that you tend to think faster than most people? Yes.
ADHD may be covered by the NDIS if you meet the eligibility and disability requirements. In addition to general criteria such as age, you must be able to prove that you have a disability causing an impairment that: Is permanent or likely to be permanent.
ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.
Differences in emotions in people with ADHD can lead to 'shutdowns', where someone is so overwhelmed with emotions that they space out, may find it hard to speak or move and may struggle to articulate what they are feeling until they can process their emotions.
For example, people with ADHD are more easily distracted than people who don't have it. ADHD can make it harder to focus, listen well, wait, or take your time. Having ADHD affects a person at school, at home, and with friends.
Sometimes, anxiety can occur independently of ADHD. Other times, it can be as a result of living with ADHD. A person who has ADHD and misses a work deadline or forgets to study for an important exam can become stressed and worried. Even the fear of forgetting to do such important tasks may cause them anxiety.
If you decide to talk to your boss, experts say you should focus on your challenges in the workplace instead of speaking specifically about ADHD. "This is not to be deceitful," Walker says. "On the contrary, it allows employers to better understand the real challenges and has a better chance for positive outcomes."