Work And School Strategies

Work And School Strategies 1. Strategies to Succeed at Work Adults with ADHD often self-select careers using the advantageous traits of their ADHD to succeed, however, often at least one of their ADHD traits will negatively impact an aspect of the job or with colleague/supervisor interpersonal relationships. It is important to be aware of the areas of ADHD that impact your work to develop better ways to support yourself for success. Workspace – Choose a quiet work area away from other people– Avoid “open workspace” designs and choose an office in which the door can be closed– Position yourself away from distractions such as televisions, windows, kitchen, games and personal devices– Use a noise reduction headset if surrounding noise is distracting– Ergonomically optimize the workstation so that the chair, desk, and computer are all at the correct height and position– Remove clutter and unnecessary items from the work area. Work Organization – Break big projects into smaller tasks– Organize multiple shorter meetings, rather than a single long meeting– Try to keep meetings 45 minutes in duration or less– Request weekly, if not daily, informal verbal feedback from supervisors– Prioritize work items and set daily, weekly, and monthly goals– Use whiteboards, apps, spreadsheets, lists, and project management software to stay organized– Use warnings/alarm reminders prior to meetings or when switching tasks– Paperwork/wrapping up projects can be challenging. When possible delegate, streamline, or use incentives to complete the final mundane details When transitioning to post-secondary, parent/teacher involvement decreases, and more responsibility is placed on the ADHD person for decision-making, long-range planning and advocating for oneself. To set yourself up for success during this important time, consider accommodations that will work best for you, such as: To help support you, engage with school resources such as student services, student health centre, peer tutoring and the accessibility centre. It is important to continue to schedule regular visits with your healthcare provider during school breaks to help you manage your ADHD. 2. Strategies For School Success Study Space Study Organization ​ADHD Academic Accommodation Options

ADHD Overview

ADHD Overview Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 5-7% of adults. As an adult, ADHD is often revealed during major life events such as: Starting post-secondary Career advancement Changes to family dynamics (beginning or separating a family) Menopause Retirement These are a few of life events which may uncover your ADHD. It is important to note that ADHD is not an intellectual disorder; you can have ADHD, a high IQ and still be negatively impacted by ADHD. The underlying symptoms of ADHD are the same, however, the impairments present differently in everyday life from person to person. Adults with ADHD can experience academic failure, occupational difficulties, numerous job changes, relationship problems, financial difficulties, and substance use. In most adults, ADHD is often accompanied by a co-existing condition such as anxiety or depression. Some other ways ADHD might show up in a person’s life: Having difficulty with focus during conversations; my mind is elsewhere Feeling like you are not working to your potential or underachieving Working significantly harder than your peers to achieve the same results Feeling frustrated and impatient, having emotional outbursts Not being able to finish reading an article or book Being easily distracted by the sights and sounds in the environment Over or under estimating time required to complete tasks Hyper-focusing on a task while ignoring surroundings Procrastinating or delaying the start of important tasks Impulsive spending, eating, drinking, or sexual activity Frequent driving accidents or traffic tickets Poor organization Forgetful in daily activities Consistently loses or misplaces things such as keys, wallet or glasses ADHD is highly heritable and if one family member has ADHD, it is likely that another member also has ADHD. The exact cause of ADHD is still unknown; we do know that there are differences in the brains of people who have ADHD compared to those who do not. The ADHD Brain is different than the non-ADHD Brain A Pet Scan illustrating difference between a brain with ADHD and one without. PHOTO: NEUROSCIENCENEWS What is different in the ADHD brain? The ADHD brain structure is different: It is smaller, has less volume in some brain regions, and has less cortical thickness The ADHD brain functions differently: Less activation of networks needed for executive function and attention. Excessive activation of networks causing hyperactivity and impulsivity. The ADHD brain has problems with some pathways: The neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine; brain pathways are not working well. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) Symptom Checklist is a tool that healthcare providers may use to screen for Adult ADHD. This is not a diagnostic tool but a screener to indicate if a further detailed assessment is necessary. Although we do not use this screener at our Centre, you may download a free Adult ADHD Self-Report scale below. Download ASRS