How to Advocate For Yourself

Disclosure to a supervisor or co-worker that you have ADD is risky. 

As is publicly listing your first and last name with an ADD organization - (membership's are usually fine) - website, blog, or publication on the internet. I've done all but one and deeply regret it now that I'm older and have a better understanding of how the real world operates. The exception, of course, is if you make your living by serving individuals with ADD. It's important that you understand that employers are increasingly plugging applicant's names into internet search engines to see what pops up. Your disability is a private. It's nobodies business but yours. 

If you find yourself in an employment situation in which you believe you require accomodation, do some research and use your creativity to see if there's a way to do it without disclosing first.

I agree with Terry. Look for and try strategies gleaned from "ADD in the Workplace" books, articles, and discussion forums. And, by the way, the "addictions and recovery" community has been dealing with this issue for a lot longer than the newer "ADD adult" community. Look there too for publications on the potential benefits and costs of disclosure, and guidance on how to and how not to do it.

If you can afford it, seek referral to a professional in your state that specializes in workplace accommodations for ADD adults, then do a one-hour consult by phone. Some local psychologists or counselors specialized in ADD may be experienced in negotiating workplace accommodations. Call and ask. Area ADD groups are often a good referral sources for experts and therapists.

In my experience, healthy work environments that are mission focused, team oriented, and respectful of each person's unique and individual contributions are naturally accommodating.

If, on the other hand, you are working in a hostile work environment, formally requesting accommodation may not improve your situation, and most likely will make your situation worse.

That said, most workplace environments are somewhere between those two extremes. If you do choose to disclose, read everything you can on workplace disclosure and accommodations, understand that may be receptive or feel threatened based on past experiences with current or past employees, be very clear on what accommodations you need, and figure out how to make your request a "win/win" for both the employer and you. If they see it as advantageous to the organization to accommodate you then they will be far more motivated to do so. 

Another view that I have never seen expressed in adult ADD circles is the importance of evaluating your employer's capablities. Some supervisors are professional, proactive, and want an open back and forth dialogue with their staff to promote a healthy team environment. Others are "toxic managers". If you have a manager who is difficult and unreasonable, you might want to consider learning more about thier particular "toxic manager style" so you can learn how to "manage the manager" until they leave or you leave. There are many books written on this subject, though not specifically for ADD.

My bottom line is, always strive to do the best possible job you can for your employer. Seek out opportunities to improve your job skills and performance regularly. Try to look at things from the employer's perspective not just your perspective. Develop a work history that clearly demonstrates that you do not job hop every 6 to 9 months, unless of course you're only doing temporary or seasonal work and that is stated. Put in a minimum of one year, two is better, at each job before moving to the next job until you find a healthy work environment that is a good fit for you. I personally stay for a minimum of three years at each job. Beyond that, I see no benefit, unless, of course, I really like the job because it's a good fit for me!   

Grandma Lise

terry, great article segment on the one about parents with add/ adhd and having a child with it also.  i was diagnosed last august with it and my son was diagnose when he was three in a half (he's now 9).  i have been a single mom dealing with my son's adhd my myself for the past 4 years, my mom was always there to help me when i needed it but she passed away jan. 30th of '04 so i have been on my own pretty much by myself.  i do get support from a couple of my aunts and from my son's spec. ed teacher that he goes to (only when he needs a break from class or his behaver spirals during class work/instruction time), i also get help from his regular classroom teacher also.  we do go to counseling and we started that in march 2007 (what a good thing, it has really helped this past year) and the psychologis we see is a good support system also and i do like going to see him.  we started going together in march, but by october of 2007 i was stressed out to the max and i started seeing him myself (which has been a huge stress relief).  he always tells me to come in sooner if needed (which means don't dig a 10 foot hole before coming in, come in when the whole is 1-3 feet deep).  i really enjoy our visits with him, because he's a father with 5 kids of his own (not like some doctors who don't have any kids and try to tell/help you raise your own child/children).