Hello:

I feel for your son - he's obviously trying very hard, but just hasn't found his niche in life yet. Is he taking medication for OCD or ADHD right now? If not, that's an easy place to start for increasing productivity and focus at work.

But, more importantly, it sounds like your son is not taking advantage of his greatest strength: tremendous customer service skills! Has he thought about working in customer sales or customer service? Ideally, at a store or business where taking extra time with the customer is smiled upon... like an electronics retailer or car dealership? (Wherever his passions are - that's where he should work.)

What about teaching? His one-on-one care (and hugs) are just what children need in the classroom, and I'm sure his ADHD/OCD perspective would make him tremendously effective with students who need accommodations. Plus, it's never the same job two days in a row. Here's a great story of an ADD adult who now teaches high-school math: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1560.html

Here are a few more articles that you could recommend to you son: The Right Work for Adults with ADHD: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1497.html Helping ADHD Adults Find Their Dream Work: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/2496.html ADHD at Work: Job Success with Adult ADD: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/862.html Stretch Your Attention Span: ADHD at Work: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1571.html

I hope these help!

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Hello!

I understand so well how you and your son can feel ! I think that I have ADHD too and I tried many kind of jobs in many fields : in offices, in newspapers, in shops, in theaters, in hotels... and each time, I got fired or I let my job when I felt I got fired.

My superiors told me that I was desorganized, that I took too much time to do my tasks, that I didn't follow the rules, that I made too much mistakes, and that I wasnt gentle with the clients.

I have poor memory, poor concentration, too, especially when I work in team.

Also, I m shy and I dont like very much people (because I was very rejected in the past) but I have strenghs : arts, languages and social sciences (I always had good notes in theses subjects at school).

You son has chances to be social beacause the work's place requires this skill. Why he could'nt start his own business in his field or in the cars'industry ? He could socialize with his clients !

My best matchs were in journalism (but I was too shy and had too much difficulties to concentrate) and teaching (but I dont really like children cause my past of reject, I am not at ease with them and their parents).

What can I do with these characteristics ? I really think I have no place in the world's place.

Do you have any suggestion?

With kind regards,

French Canadian

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This is my first time ever responding to a comment on a public forum, but I felt that I needed to say that I understand your son's stubborness and tenacisity (spell?) in the working arena. I too have am a working adult with ADHD and presently am in my second year teaching. I returned to a school that was familiar and had familiar staff and students I liked and wanted to be part of. I felt that I could feel confident somewhere for the first time, but again I was wrong. It actually got worse, with the constant demands, the piles of paperwork, the expectations that came with the title and the overload of students I felt overwhelmed and more distant from my coworkers and success than ever. I understand your son's perspective because I too had a chance to leave - it was suggested by many friends in the same field, my own family, veteran teacher's I look up too, even my mentor teacher. I haven't. Although I may be on my way down the path to "ruin", I can't just give up; I can't run and be able to face myself. I have to try because I don't care that they are disappointed and I don't care that they wish I wasn't there. I do care in self-worth, in sticking it out until the end, I do fell that I can learn but with more support. Like your son, I graduated with a 4.0 at the university, and I too have similar thoughts and I am much older and have had (probably) more experiences of regret, pain and little satisfaction of a work force that is not disability friendly nor understanding to our needs. I understand a parents outlook - my mother has cried just watching me wake up, get ready for work and drive off -knowing the daily humiliation I must feel but proud that I am able to stand up and say I don't care I can do it. So, maybe, some good advice is to guide him with out telling him and be proud that he is able to feel confident in himself to say "I don't care. I can learn. Just not like everyone else" For some advice – I just invested in a gym membership and a personal trainer (because I really need one ? ) It has already boosted my self esteem a tad. I am looking into a coach for ADHD because if I don’t I am going to lose my career. Find a good psychologist – not a psychiatrist (you already need one to get meds) and find strategies to help with social cues, organization, prioritizing and emotional conflicts. I tend to cry instead of fight back because I usually say the wrong thing or in the wrong way and regret it later. Hope that helps.

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