ADHD: Work or work experience

Many people with ADHD thrive in the workforce. Take advantage of chances to learn vocational skills. Once you leave school it's just a matter of matching a career to your strengths. You may wish to consider telling your employer and colleagues that you have ADHD and talking to them about how you manage it. Be kind to yourself. Know that it takes quite a while for you to become good at new tasks in a new workplace, so don't expect you'll get everything right straight away. No-one does that! Every mistake is an opportunity to learn. Ask yourself, "What do I have to do to get it right the next time?" Ask your supervisor to help you organise your workspace so that everything you need is at hand. Draw a plan of it. Keep everything where it is meant to be. If you need to move equipment, put it all back at the end of the day, using your plan to help you. Keep a small notepad with you so that you can write down any tasks you are given. You could also use a digital organiser or an electronic diary on your computer. Put a line through tasks (or delete them) when completed. Complete tasks under supervision until you are sure you can do them independently. If in doubt, check it out. Ask for instructions to be repeated or clarified rather than guess what you were meant to do and risk it being wrong. If driving is involved even to and from work, do an advanced skills driving course to help you control your car in difficult situations. If you are having trouble with tasks or colleagues, talk to someone you trust so they can help you think of ways to solve the problems. Will I always have ADHD? Up to seven in ten people who had ADHD as a young child will continue to have ADHD as a teenager. The good news is that the symptoms are often less noticeable and by the time you become an adult you will have learnt to manage your symptoms. Some adults continue to have ADHD and this is being more appropriately recognised. Most people with ADHD live happy, fulfilling and productive lives by making the most of the good things about ADHD - like having extra energy and being creative. Be positive. Know yourself and manage your ADHD as best as you can. Your journey through life will be different to those who do not have ADHD, but it can be just as rewarding and successful. For those teenagers and their families in the Southern Highlands who believe that they might be experiencing ADHD (or any other disorder) the Adolescent Mental Health team of the Bowral Mental Health Service may be able to assist. The team is located at the Bowral Hospital in the Centre of Youth Cottage. Intake and triage is through the Bowral Community Health Centre on telephone (02) 4861 8000.
Further information:
Websites
www.adhdsupport.com.au
www.novartis.com/home
www.adhdinfo.com
www.add.com
www.addresources.org
www.chadd.org
www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/adhd/contents.htm
www.ed.gov/teachers/needs/speced/adhd/adhd-resource-pt1.pdf
www.wraparoundkids.com
www.aap.org
www.aacap.org
www.nimh.nih