Careers for Adults With ADHD
People with ADD or ADHD can often be an asset in the workplace, since these conditions usually mean that the person will be creative and enthusiastic. This enthusiasm comes out when a person with ADHD is particularly interested in a task or topic. There's no "right job" for someone with ADHD, since everyone is different. For one person, a job in the travel industry may be exciting due to ever-changing locations and tasks. Another person with ADHD might find a stationary but challenging sales job more interesting.
Other People Are Reading
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Options
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Pete Quily, an ADHD coach from Vancouver, suggests several options that might be ADD-friendly, such as the creative arts, entrepreneurship and media positions (see Resources).
Strengths
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In her book, "ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life," ADHD expert Kathleen Nadeau encourages her clients and readers to use their need for stimulation to succeed in the workplace. For example, if someone with ADHD uses a hobby as an escape, they can develop that hobby into a career.
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Working With ADHD Traits
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Some of the more troublesome symptoms of ADHD, according to Nadeau and others, are distractability, poor follow-through and disorganization. If these are problems for you, look for jobs that can help you master or work around them (see Resources).
Coachig Help
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There are individual coaches and coaching websites that can help you make career choices (see Resources).
Self-Help Resources
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If you don't have access to an ADD/ADHD coach, there are still many self-help resources that can make a difference. CHADD.org is a well-known resource that offers ongoing information about ADD in general. CHADD and other non-profit groups can help you succeed with ADD, and they can offer tips on choosing a job that's right for you (see Resources).
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References
- ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life; Judith Kolberg and Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D; 2002
- ADD Resources
