ADHD is derailing my academic goals

[ADHDProfessorPastor]

I was diagnosed as an adult in the midst of my all-out war with a dissertation a number of years ago. I always performed well in the classroom as a full-time teaching fellow and grad student, which kept me on the path to completing the PhD. But now in my 40s I'm struggling. I am in a new position and I'm getting feedback about organization that is impacting my confidence in performing this job well.

Do I disclose ADHD to the department chair who processes faculty self evaluations and goal setting? Have others found their departments supportive or unsympathetic? I know its going to depend on the institution, but I'd like to hear what others have experienced.

I imagine possible benefits of being more transparent with students, as many of my neurodiverse students connect with me instinctively but only I know why. Maybe being more transparent would allow my strengths to be more evident and create a more generous classroom culture? But if I do that I can't go back, and undergrads can be brutal...How transparent have other academics with ADHD been with students and what were the consequences?

I'm also curious if there's a difference in how students perceive ADHD in male vs. female professors.

I feel like there is some affection for the male "absent minded professor" but the female (me) is perceived negatively as scatterbrained and disorganized. This impacts course evaluations which leads to conversations with department chairs, etc. etc.

I don't know how to navigate the unique challenges of ADHD in academia.

Where do academics with ADHD find support?

[STEM_Dad]

I'm not an academic, but I worked in IT Support at a university for 10 years.

As you mentioned, once it's out that you have ADHD, you can't take it back.

Another way that you might consider addressing your ADHD is tangentially:

• [With peers and the department chair] Be upfront about specific struggles that you have (such as disorganization)

• [With students] Just be open that you have "a special affinity for people who are neurodivergent"

In other words, "How do you say you have ADHD, without saying that you have ADHD?"

~~~~~

In once job, I had a manager and coworker that I worked with closely who were very accepting of me when I told them that I have ADHD. (I started that job just months after I got my diagnosis.)

In my current job, my openness about having ADHD (and anxiety) got my labeled by some as "the guy with mental issues ". I haven't been treated poorly, but getting seen in a negative light because of my diagnosis doesn't feel good.

[Mamamichl in reply to STEM_Dad]

It actually helped my students immensely to tell them about my ADHD. They gained confidence when they saw I went through the same things. However, you could just say “I struggle with that too, and that’s ok” then tel them some of the things you’ve learned that help.

[Fibery1]

I’m ABD. I had one more year ofor revisions and I just couldn’t do it. I’ve felt like a failure ever since. Don’t do that.

Get a good coach before you disclose so you’ll know just why you’re choosing to disclose and what you want in return(them paying for your coach…?)

Have you joined ADDA yet? You must!

[Mamamichl]

have you contacted HR and requested an ADA? I work in special education, and my last supervisor was an ableist. Even getting the accommodations with the ADA was pulling teeth for her. It’s like an IEP but for work. You don’t have to disclose your ADHD to get one though, but you work with your counselor/psychiatrist to create accommodations for your workplace. Getting meeting notes in writing was beneficial for me. Few free to pm me if you have more things to bounce ideas off in the education field. I wish I hadn’t told my last supervisor, but she would have known it anyway.