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Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. And, by the way, multi-tasking has been debunked. Jumping from task-to-task actually results in less efficiency and more errors—and that’s in ANYONE who does it, let alone someone with ADHD!
ADHD is a legitimate medical condition which has a major impact on the life of the person who has it. So many educators, employers, and even doctors, fail to grasp this most basic of facts, despite overwhelming evidence. Our brains function differently from most other people’s brains. We’re not lazy or stupid or deliberately being difficult, but many people treat us as though we are, and tell us to “just do it”, or “just focus”. This is like telling someone with severe depression to just “pull yourself together and smile”. Or telling Stephen Hawking to just try harder to get up out of his wheelchair, walk up to the microphone, and talk to us.
Some jurisdictions have officially declared ADHD a disability, which means that if an employer punishes you or otherwise discriminates against you because of your ADHD and the effects of it, they can be prosecuted under Human Rights legislation and fined. If you live in a place where this is the case, you might look into it. A warning from the Human Rights Commission can often convince an employer to make the necessary concessions to help you, instead of firing you.
But the best solution is to find a job and an employer who understands your condition and will make adjustments to capitalize on your strengths and minimize the impact of your difficulties. This could include flexible hours, a private workspace where you’re free from distractions (one of the biggest causes of our workplace frustration), and someone to help you with paperwork (Kryptonite to someone with ADHD). Often, the not-for-profit sector is more accommodating than the for-profit sector. There are websites listing jobs in the not-for-profit sector. One is called Charity Village. Or, you may want to consider a job in a different field altogether.
Office jobs generally pay a lot more than customer service jobs, but people with ADHD seem to be particularly good at customer service jobs. We love the variety and the personal interaction with people. And if there’s a crisis, we’re the ones who spring into action to solve it. I’ll never get rich in my current job, but I’d much rather be working here, than go back to the world of office jobs.
Maybe the support agency that came into your workplace can help you find the right job & employer for you. Ask them if they have a job assistance service, or can refer you to one.
Good luck!
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