Ways that we help with ADHD workplace and career issues
When an adult client seeks a consultation about workplace problems related to ADHD, the first issue we address is the level of change that is needed. With our clients, we examine four possible levels of change that may be needed:
- Identifying and addressing problems on the current job
- Considering a similar job with a different employer when supervisor or employer issues seem to be significant issues
- Seeking a different type of job within the same general career path when strengths and interests might be better matched to a different job in the same field
- Changing careers, possibly requiring a return to school for more training and credentials
Assessment of current workplace functioning — defining problems, seeking solutions
Our first consideration in a career consultation is to work with you to better understand the multiple factors involved in your current workplace difficulties. Whether you seek to remain in your position for an extended basis, or will be there on a short-term basis while considering other options, it is important to focus on understanding how ADHD factors are related to the current problems and then to seek ways to decrease stress and improve the current situation.
There is much to be learned in carefully evaluating your current and past employment history that will assist you in making a better choice of future employment.
ADHD-related job problems can fall into a number of different areas:
- Poor match between your strengths and weaknesses and job requirements
- Poor match with your supervisor
- Conflicts with co-workers or managers
- Under-stimulation due to lack of interest, variety, or opportunity for creativity
- Lack of opportunity for physical movement
- Executive functioning difficulties (poor time management; difficulty with detailed paperwork; forgetfulness; difficulty meeting deadlines; disorganization; difficulty setting and following priorities; tendency to over-commit; tendency to under-estimate the time required for a project, etc.)
- Changes within the company that have led to increased stress, increased work expectations, and/or decreased administrative support.
First, we undertake a careful analysis of your current job problems, and try to problem-solve with you, looking for ways to function better in your current position.
Explore how “ADHD-friendly” your current work situation is. Some jobs are inherently ADD-unfriendly – for example, a badly organized supervisor, elimination or severe reduction in administrative support, under-staffing, frequent required over-time work, unclear and frequently changing job expectations, and unclear lines of authority.
We assess your strengths and interests through a thorough analysis of past jobs and interests, as well as through the Strong Campbell Interest Inventory. We also find that the Highlands Battery, a tests that matches strengths to career paths, can be very helpful.
We assess your executive functioning strengths and weaknesses — often a thorough test battery that includes tests of achievement and of executive functions can be very helpful.
We consider your personality type using the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) in order to consider your temperament and core values.
Putting together the pieces of the puzzle
The structured job exploration outlined above becomes the basis for identifying problem areas that then need to be prioritized and addressed.
Together, you and your clinician can begin to create an action plan, prioritizing the problems that should be addressed, and then developing strategies to deal with these problems. So, before reaching a decision to change jobs or careers, engage in the hard, but valuable work of analyzing and problem-solving on your current job. Your efforts will pay off whether you improve your current situation and remain at that job, or whether you ultimately decide to make a change.