Tapping of pens. Constant shaking of feet. Zoning out looking at a computer. Having days where nothing gets done. Spinning in a chair. Fidgeting with EVERYTHING. These are just a few of the many traits one may exhibit when having ADHD and working a ‘desk job’.
It is difficult to be an ADHD adult and hold a job. For some that have more severe ADHD, it can be nearly impossible. I was officially diagnosed with ADHD at a late stage in my life, 23. Consequently, 23 is the age in which I stopped teaching and began working a desk job. I’m sure you can put together the puzzle of why it took so long to diagnose me; when teaching, I was working a job where I was constantly on the move and now I behind a desk all day.
Since I was always moving, I never pictured myself at a desk job. I did not like sitting still and I really did not like being isolated in a quiet office by myself. So why does someone like I go into a job where, before even starting, I know I have the potential of being unsuccessful? Passion. Passion towards your work field can be the biggest drive that keeps a person with ADHD from burning out within a month (tops).
Before having my desk job, I was a special education teacher. Never did I think I was going to end up leaving my position to have a yucky desk job, but I did. My passion for teaching and helping children grew stronger. I was not able to simply satisfy my passion by only teaching. I felt as if there was so much more that I could do to help my students but was unable to due to principals. I left teaching to do something that I could really put all of my heart into and not have to hold back, Educational Advocacy.
Educational Advocacy is not something that many people have heard of (including myself until recent). An Educational Advocate spends their day meeting with clients and researching federal and state laws, all while being behind a *gasp* desk! I then use the knowledge I gain from the law to assist my clients in having a voice and getting help in the school setting.
Having been a special education teacher, I learned about many different fidgets that I can use in the workplace that are very discrete and assist with concentration. For those that know me, I always have MANY tubs of therapy putty in my office. The ones the change colors are my favorite when I am really spacey that day. I also have found that, even though I hate drawing, doodling on my note pad while getting work done is extremely helpful.
So, for those of you with ADHD, what are some different tactics that you use to get work done?
