Jobs for People with ADHD

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people behave. It particularly affects aspects of behaviour such as concentration, impulsivity, and emotional regulation.

There are 3 types of ADHD: the inattentive type, the hyperactive/impulsive type, or the combined type.

ADHD has typically been associated with childhood but is gaining recognition amongst adults and adult diagnoses are becoming more common. Studies suggest that around 366 million adults were affected with ADHD symptoms in 2022.

The stigma around ADHD is an important issue to consider and talk about. According to CHADD (Child and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), these are just some of the myths that exist surrounding ADHD:

• It is diagnosed too often
• It only affects children
• It isn’t a real disorder
• It only affects boys

ADHD has long been seen as something that affects naughty boys with bad parents. Thankfully, the tide is starting to change on this and people with ADHD are beginning to get proper recognition of their symptoms and how the disorder affects their life.

How Can Having ADHD Affect Getting a Job?

There are lots of ways in which having ADHD makes having a job more difficult. There are also ways in which having ADHD makes you an incredible asset to an employer and team.

Some of the things that impact people with ADHD negatively when it comes to getting (and keeping) a job are:

• Remembering meeting times, commitments or instructions
• Unintentionally making mistakes
• Struggling with having many unfinished tasks on the go at once
• Having trouble keeping on top of organization
• Procrastination
• Becoming overwhelmed
• Struggling with accurate time estimations

These challenges for people with ADHD are valid and require both attention and sensitivity from employers. They don’t mean that workers with ADHD are “bad” or less favourable than neurotypical people.

When handled appropriately, ADHD in the workplace doesn’t have to be something detrimental. Workers with ADHD can add so much value to companies and projects.

It is all about picking the right job, the right company, and the right employer.

What Are the Best Jobs for People with ADHD?

As we mentioned, there are lots of ways in which ADHD can be seen as a superpower in the workplace. Every person with ADHD will be different and unique, so we can’t include a one-fits-all description of a job that will save every person with the disorder.

There are, however, some universal things that help people with ADHD flourish in their jobs. According to the Scottish ADHD Coalition, the kinds of jobs that will best suit people with ADHD can include:

• Jobs that are a good fit with an individual’s specific interests and skills
• Jobs with a structured workday
• Jobs with opportunities for movement and variation
• Jobs that provide stimulation consistently
• Jobs that are able to provide regular and fairly immediate feedback

Jobs of this description help a person with ADHD to manage their symptoms and optimize their specific skillsets. They prevent overwhelm, potential distress, and burnout, and instead offer an opportunity to thrive.

What Kind of Reasonable Adjustments Can be Made to Support People with ADHD?

Due to the daily and persistent impact that ADHD has on an individual and their life, the disorder can be considered a disability under the 2010 Equality Act. This means that employers need to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that people living with ADHD are supported to do their job in a way that works for them.

The Act also means that employers are responsible for protecting employees and potential employees from discrimination and harassment.

ADHD is something that has been well underrepresented in this manner over the years, and now there are many people working on changing this pattern. Many people are currently fighting for the rights of people with ADHD to be better supported and listened to.

Some reasonable adjustments that can help those with ADHD function better in a workplace can include:

• Management offering increased supervision and frequent check-ins with employees with ADHD
• Tasks being broken down into clear steps
• Instructions provided in written form as well as in the verbal form
• Physical and visual prompts and reminders of tasks and duties
• Larger monitors and computer screens
• Visible clocks in the workspace
• Regular breaks for movement
• Buddy systems
• Coaching

There are lots of ways in which those with ADHD can be supported. Having an unequal office is something that will be no longer accepted. You are allowed to and you deserve to work in a way that supports you how you need to be supported. Reasonable adjustments are just one part of that.

How Can I Get a Suitable Job with ADHD?

If you want to get a suitable job as someone with ADHD, you need to look in the right places. Focus on finding accessible, supportive jobs with people and companies who really want to listen and understand.

You can make a start by searching on our job board specifically designed for people with ADHD.

You can also access information about job applications, your rights, and finding an accessible employer, all on our website.