Employer coping with newly diagnosed employee

I think I'm in pretty much the same situation as your employee.  I've just been diagnosed ADHD in the last few months and I can tell you that its a both a jolt to the system and the answer to a question I didn't know I was asking.  I haven't disclosed to my manager since I doubt she would be as willing to change her style as you seem to be. 

In my world, I operate best when my manager gives clear goals and expectations.  Some employees can be very annoyed with being given a to-do list, but it helps me to organize and prioritize, especially if there are firm dates attached.  Giving a good timeline on bigger/longer projects helps a lot, too.  Having a one-hour check-in meeting with the employee every week helps you to keep them on track and helps them to keep organized. 

The ADD brain has a tendency to come up with random, out-of-the box ideas.  Anytime you have brainstorming to do, involve him.  Letting the employee partner up with someone that has complementary skills may help everyone.  From what I've learned and experienced myself, ADDers are notoriously self-concious and we've been taught (mostly from teachers, parents, and bosses) to always feel like we aren't trying hard enough.  Acknowledge effort more than results when possible. 

And this may sound silly, but try to understand that just because he isn't making eye contact while you're talking to him doesn't mean that he isn't paying attention.  If he seems to be fidgeting (moving around, doodling, messing with his pencil, etc), that's the way of letting the overflow get out of our brain so that our ears work.  If you're going to be in a group setting, see what he'd think about having a code signal for when you think his behavior might be a little much for the situation.  Most of the time we don't notice the fidgetting, but others do.  With a soft reminder, he would be more likely to at least reduce the most obvious behaviors.

I used to joke about this saying" When  I work, I work hard, when I sit , I sit loose,

and when I think , I fall asleep"  LOL Anyway, the trick is to let that person , get up and move around. I've sucessfully worked as a hairdresser for many years, and also

 a home health aide, till I was injured.It's not about intelligence at all.As long as

he  is stabilized with his meds, he should be fine. I found that my energy is

more stable on the second shift. So, maybe be open to change times he will work, to

 get the most productive time from your employee.

I used to joke about this saying" When  I work, I work hard, when I sit , I sit loose,

and when I think , I fall asleep"  LOL Anyway, the trick is to let that person , get up and move around. I've sucessfully worked as a hairdresser for many years, and also

 a home health aide, till I was injured.It's not about intelligence at all.As long as

he  is stabilized with his meds, he should be fine. I found that my energy is

more stable on the second shift. So, maybe be open to change times he will work, to

 get the most productive time from your employee.

I have ADHD and have been in the medical field for 15 years.  I have my "mental moments" but dont we all.  An ADHD employee can usually out multi-task anyone around them once they are properly medicated.  Can't find something...put your "greyhound" on search, they will find it.  My biggest problem is with controlling myself when I am talking with co-workers...it's like I can't wait my turn.  I am very detail oriented.  Dont expect a brief explanation, expect a novel.  Pre-printed forms or worksheets are best for us.  All you can do is check yes/no well maybe a little more...ha! ha!  I used to drive my supervisor crazy with the phone calls or the voicemails when my patient load was light.  Now she gives me a list of things to work on each week when time/patients allow.  Keep in mind that the medications start to wear away as the hours pass so put the most important work before lunch and the least pressing issues after 3 ( 9-5).  Dont be fearful of ADHD.  I am a Computed Tomography Technologist and I have patients lives in my hands everyday, but they are the best hands to be in.  This is a great example:  sometimes my patients require bloodwork prior to my CT scan. I know that I have to start an IV on the patient, so I have the patient come to me first and I put their IV line in and then have a lab tech come to my office and let me draw their blood from it...only one needle instead of two....ADHD people think out of the box..so dont try to fit us in a box....its like putting a square peg in a round hole.  Maximize our strengths and dont fret over our oddities.  Laugh with us about our peculiar habits not at us and you'll have a great employee who will produce more than 2 non ADHD's if you do it right!

As an employee with ADD, my current supervisor has been very effective in managing, as well as, helping me be successful in my current position. She remains calm and patient when having to supervise me while working. By being patient, she makes me feel, without ever saying a word, that she wants to help me succeed, she never make me feel worse the I already feel about what I just did, now, thats doesnt mean she likes everthing I do and she'll tell me so. She is aware my condition and she is very accomadating in regards to where I feel most comfortable sitting or who I sit near.I am very fortunate to work under her supervision. Most of all try not to make your employee feel "stupid" or "moronic" when they make what seems to be a careless mistake, because believe me, in most cases he or she already feels that way about themselfs. In return, I give it all that I have while in work and focus on finishing what I start to the best of my ability. In the manner she expects