I'm new here

[Sunny-K]

Hello, I am finally responding to this network. I just lost yet another job. I am interested in becoming active in helping Social Security and DSHS take the disability of ADHD seriously. I would also like to talk to people who understand what I'm going through. I am not on any social media but I'm interested in getting to know people and getting some ideas of how I can help the ADHD community.

[distracted1]

I would love to hear your story, as I am going through a difficult time myself with work. The struggle is all too real and no one really understands what we go through on a daily basis.

[rhondaeby]

Where are you located? I am in Omaha, NE and interested in your thoughts. I am a CHADD Coordinator. CHADD has lots of resources for adults with ADHD. My suggestion as an adult who has had job struggles, some contributing to my ADHD has this thought. IF the ADHD brains strength is that of a big picture thinker and we work in jobs where we have to keep track of details, the job is not a good fit. What we need to promote and work for is a culture the creates businesses who CARE about the people they employ. Someone like me who takes pride in her work will be detailed, but to an employer or manager who cares about numbers more than their employees I am not a good employee because I am thorough. To him/her I am slow. ADHD usually does not manifest itself as a disability unless you are in the wrong job or have the wrong job but have the supports to compensate for the aspect of the job you are in and then lose them. Just like the kids that are diagnosed at school age, they are placed in an environment that does not usually allow for a chance for teaching to different learning styles. This has been my experience in my life and my sons life.

We need to educate the businesses, the people who hire, train, and manage. If a person with ADHD has been tested with a learning disability and unable to work then SS or DSHS should be made available but if the person can work, Vocational Rehab thru the government or state workforce office should be utilized to help find a job. They too should be educated on what ADHD is, how it is different in every person and that it is a complicated condition to diagnose and treat. If we just settle for putting a person with ADHD on SS we may create an atmosphere where the individual is no longer needed in society yet each of us are created with talents. It is up to us to support people like CHADD to help an individual struggling find a place.

These are my thoughts and experiences.

[Packman in reply to rhondaeby]

12-13-17: To rhondaeby, distracted1 and all who participate in this site with good intentions. I am a recently retired college teacher of psychology and sociology and have long ago been diagnosed very clearly and certainly by 3 psychologists and one psychiatrist as having ADD (inattentive type). I have read much of the best literature on the subject and it is real, but as noted above, in our complex, diverse and individualistic society, many people are not aware of or don’t care about people with various degrees/types of ADHD – in children OR adults. I am constantly trying to work hard to implement some of the strategies that have been recommended by many experts who write about this as well as my own therapists – but unfortunately this contition is not as “treatable” as relationship issues, financial management etc. because even if people like us are aware of what we need to do, it is very difficult to set up a plan and/or mindset that is conducive to getting our lives “in order” to enable us to more effectively demonstrate the attributes that we possess. I hope to keep up better with this site in the future and if possible make constructive comments to the dialogue. I do thank those of you, like rhondaeby and distracted1 who share significant insights that contribute to the purpose of this site in a positive manner. Thanks for your contributions.

[D4Everblessed in reply to Packman]

Hello,

Look forward to more of your insight. Enjoy