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You like your job, and you want to do it well. You don’t want to risk losing it in this tough economy, by letting your attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) symptoms get the best of you. The key to succeeding at the job is to adapt your work habits to take advantage of your strong points, while minimizing the negative impact of your weaknesses.
Here are some of the common challenges faced by adults with ADD/ADHD and learning disabilities, along with lots of recommended accommodations for each. Interested in finding further suggestions? Visit the Job Accommodation Network, which maintains a database of over 200,000 accommodations.
Remember that you can do the job as well as anyone else -- you just need to do it in a different way.
Challenge: Struggle to Read Large Amounts of Material
Accommodations
*Attend meetings that address the relevant topics.
*Discuss material or assignments with coworkers.
*Highlight key points with a magic marker.
*Ask someone to tell you the key points.
*Get information from drawings, diagrams, and flow charts. Your supervisor, team members, or subordinates may be able to organize some information in this way.
*Use voice output on your computer.
*Request shorter versions of reports and documents.
More Adult ADD/ADHD and LD Challenges...And Workplace Accommodations Next:
Lose Focus Working in an Open Space?
Difficulty Following Oral Instructions?
Trouble Managing Interruptions?
This article appeared in the Spring 2011 issue of ADDitude. SUBSCRIBE TODAY to ensure you don't miss a single issue.
