Three elements for managing ADHD in the workplace

Three elements for managing ADHD in the workplace

After the teenage years, and/or after school has been completed, where do ADHD symptoms go? For most, they go to the workplace. For those impacted by ADHD, there is no magic bullet that suddenly causes ADHD symptoms to stop interfering with their daily functioning, effectiveness and abilities. However with some strategies in place, one can succeed in a chosen career. Here are three steps to setting the intention on success with ADHD:

1) Diagnosis

A person with ADHD has a 60% chance to have other symptoms (depression, OCD, ODD etc.). A proper diagnosis is necessary so treatment, support, skills and systems training, and coaching will be most effective. This diagnosis will serve as a blueprint for coach, skills trainer and prescribing physician to do their best support delivering one from frustration to focus. It is important to set the foundations in all aspects of life so that the individual can carry these over to the workplace.

2) Medication

Medication for most helps with focus and is about 20 – 50% of the support needed for a satisfying and productive life. Medication provides a window into focus and an opportunity to do the work of life on the job. More fundamentally, medication provides a window to learn and develop a skill, set up and install a system or practice focus skills so that one becomes increasingly more effective in the workplace.

3) Skills Development and Coaching

Life includes dreams and desires for those with ADHD, just like for those without ADHD. Having a diagnosis of ADHD doesn’t mean giving up on ones dreams, it simply means creating an effective work around to take us from where we are to where we want to go. Once it’s determined how ADHD shows up, effective strategies can be determined for time management and project completion. Checklists, routines and task lists can be managed uniquely by each individual and for their career.

A fifty year old ADHD client came to me. He worked in information technology for a large corporation. They were downsizing. He wanted to find work he would do well and enjoy. We completed assessments and goal oriented coaching conversations regarding his skills, talents, interests and how ADHD was impacting his day to day functioning. Through this process, he decided he would love to set up small computer networks in small businesses and homes and to do so as a self employed person.

He enlisted support from his wife and two handymen. His wife, who worked for a large publishing company, had the ability to place a number of classified ads to his target audience, as a free employee benefit. He also spoke with some handymen, who were already serving the people he wanted to serve. He and the handymen began referring business to each other. He was ready when the downsize notice came. He already had a waiting list of clients for his business.

Just as when one is school, a person with ADHD at work needs to have a current diagnosis, skills training, support and coaching along with proper medications to perform at optimal levels.


Robb Garrett, MA, MCC, is ADD/ADHD Expert, providing trainings, guidance and solutions to living with ADD / ADHD at work. He may be contacted at CoachRobb@TamingADD.com or
(612) 869-8742 ext 1. More information regarding Taming ADD and Robb Garrett can be found at http://www.tamingadd.com, including ongoing trainings and speaking engagements. Look for his book to be published soon on ADHD.