Fostering Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Strategies for Employers and Employees

1 Comment: Fostering Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Strategies for Employers and Employees

1. This is one man’s opinion, so take it FWIW. I am now retired and in my pre-geezer years but I am a lot older and more experienced than most of the readers of this e-magazine. I have always worked at for-profit companies and I have seen a lot over a 42 year career. The world I worked in has 0 tolerance for mistakes, missed deadlines or any mealy-mouth excuses about mental illness.

   The people who make recommendations about publicly coming out about ADHD or ADD are possessed of a Pollyanna-like naivete, IMHO. They are well meaning but typically work in ivory tower occupations like medicine or academia and are clueless about how the rest of the business world works.

   The title of this article raises the YES or NO question of revealing one of he most sensitive secrets one could possibly have. My answer is a resounding NO! This editorial answers its very own question in the first paragraphs with the long list of statistics of ADHD/ADD sufferers who have faced discrimination in the workplace including, but not limited to, denial of employment, demotions and firings. I do not see any positive comments of having ADHD or ADD.

   You not only have to worry about skeptical and nervous bosses but you also have to beware of jealous peers. Every organization has 60 year old white dudes who hate you because of your youth and higher education. These guys are not your friend; they will trash your reputation all over the company. A martyr complex is the worst example of self-harm.

   One of the worst pieces of advice in the above article states, “Do I really want to work somewhere that isn’t going to accept me for who I am?” Well, here’s a reality check for anyone who has that attitude: What if we have another recession like the one in 2008? This article cavalierly dismisses the awful possibility that you just might have to accept a job or people you don’t like.

   Here’s another bit of nonsense: You will be overcome with anxiety and literally bursting at the seams if you do not confess your ADHD or ADD condition to the world. Huh? Let’s apply some critical thinking skills to this. People keep all sorts of secrets: a low credit score, flunked out of college, a DUI arrest, a car being repossessed, a kid out of wedlock, a dishonorable discharge from the military, a messy divorce, a stint in drug rehab, being in arrears in child support payments, having an incurable STD and the list is much longer.

   I’d be more concerned about KEEPING a secret, not REVEALING a secret. Once you reveal a secret, it’s no longer a secret. And why would you? Even gang members in handcuffs don’t admit to anything unless they are totally stupid. And you’re smarter than that, aren’t you? You have the same Miranda rights as any criminal suspect plus you have HIPAA.

   But I have a real-word view about what we ADHD and ADD sufferers SHOULD do:
   * If you need professional mental health help, get help
   * Follow the treatment plan
   * Read ADDitude because they are in your corner