work accommodations

[Inahikes]

hi all - I’ve recently been working with my provider and HR at work to get some accommodations to help keep me focused and to muddle through the mundane tasks of my job. HR strongly suggested I get accommodations… and gave me no support/suggestions as to what those may be.

Through the always helpful google search, I believe a personal assistance app would be a good starting place. Does anyone have experience using one of these and/or recommendations?

What other workplace accommodations have you found helpful?

Thanks so much in advance!

[Tigger4me]

Hi Inahikes, the apps you mentioned sound like a good place to start, but sorry I haven’t used these, but will in future. However, it seems like you might really be looking for actual changes in your workplace environment and maybe in your work load or work assignments. These are a few things I’ve found useful.

First, take appropriate medication.

Second, you might want to frame any accommodation requests with how and why these would be helpful for improving or insuring your workplace productivity.

Third, try to identify a few key accommodations to start, definitely not a shopping list. You might ask for trial periods to see how things go. Always be open to asking for feedback. Maybe agree to making up accommodation time in some way that is fair.

Fourth, try to be aware of possible ill feelings from co-workers who may think you are getting an unfair break.

Specifics: If your work involves long or frequent meetings, talk to your supervisor about taking more breaks, doing meeting oriented tasks such as taking notes, being in charge of coffee, maybe stay back in office to answer phone etc.

I found listening to music helps to distract me enough to pay attention. See if you can listen to quiet music using ear buds.

Get time to do physical exercise. Take on chores that require you to move around some or a lot.

I have found that I can more easily do “boring” tasks if I do them in a noisy environment. In school I would study with a TV on . Sometimes just the visualwas enough, sometimes visual and audio on usually behind me.

Hope this may be of use. Good luck.

[LisethHIS]

Good day, Inahikes,

Thank you for contacting CHADD National Resource Center on ADHD. We have some resources available to help you with work accommodations. You can share these resources with your medical provider and HR. If you’d like to talk to someone, you can contact the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) askjan.org/disabilities/Att.... Additionally, you can give this information to your employer to learn more about work disabilities in general: askearn.org/ We also have a workplace issue for adults that can be helpful: chadd.org/for-adults/workpl...

If there is anything else you need, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Liseth

Health Information Specialist

CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD

chadd.org