Asking for Accommodations Without Asking for Accommodations
Sometimes the solution is somewhere between disclosing your ADHD and keeping it a secret.
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Should I tell my boss that I have ADHD? This is a common question, and potentially explosive.
The Americans with Disablities Act makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against individuals with ADD. In reality, however, there are many ADDers who will tell you that for them, disclosing their disability was a mistake which created an uncomfortable atmosphere in the workplace, and may have ultimately led them to quit or even be fired or demoted (although this may be hard to prove).
So should you tell or not? Depending on your level of difficulty, the solution may be somewhere between disclosing your ADHD and keeping it to yourself.
For example, a common problem among ADDers is the inability to tune out noises in the workplace. If you find yourself distracted and cannot compensate, perhaps you could arrange to work in a quieter area, or close a door that is usually left open. A fan or a white noise machine could drown out the noise that you find distracting. None of these solutions requires that you disclose your ADHD.
Or, perhaps paperwork collects on your desk because of constant interruptions during the workday. Assuming that the problem IS that you are being interrupted, and you can do the paperwork if you are left alone, simply rethinking the situation may help you find solutions to ease the burden. You may need to set clear boundaries with others (I am not available for the next hour), or if that is not possible, you may be able to start work earlier to avoid the interruptions that come during "business hours".
There may be ways to simplify your paperwork or eliminate redundancy. (lf you take notes during a session and then have to copy them to another sheet for the file, instead could the notes be written directly on the final copy?)
So if the problem can be solved by a little brainstorming and flexibility, try to problem-solve on your own first. It saves you from having to deal with the assumptions of others about what ADHD is and is not, which is an advantage because many people will resist your efforts to educate them about ADHD. Then, if you still need to ask for formal accomodations, be very specific about what your issues are, and make your request.
We are not recommending that you hide your ADHD at all costs for fear of losing your job. In fact, sometimes hiding it is what costs a person his or her job. If you can't perform your job because of a disability but you never ask for help, you could very well lose your job due to lack of performance. So, if what you need is something that can't be met by making a simple request, by all means ask for what you really need: formal accommodation.
People without ADD may need accommodations at work, and most would not think twice about asking for small changes. (ie. rethinking equipment for repetitive injuries, phone with adjustable volume for the hard of hearing, better chair for a bad back, etc.)
If someone has trouble with their eyes they get glasses, if they have trouble with their legs they use a cane, and only uneducated bullies would hassle anyone for that.
Having an unseen struggle can be difficult, because it is not as easy for others to understand/believe. That reaction does not make ADHD any less real and/or difficult to deal with. When combined with the embarrassment and shame that we many times put ourselves through, it's no wonder we often end up with anxiety and depression!
Remember, there is no shame in getting the help you need in order to succeed in life and/or work.
Copyright 2005 Consider Coaching
