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September
26, 2006 Meeting Notes for the Vancouver Adult ADD Support
Group
Topic: ADHD Friendly
Occupations and ADD Work Strategies
Return to Vancouver
Adult ADD Support Group Previous Notes Page
Thanks
to Gina for the notes from last night’s meeting.
Group warm up exercise
What’s one job you have done that you really like? Why.
What’s another job you really didn’t like and
why?
Remember: There are different types
of ADD and personalities, so not all ADDers will prefer the
same job or environment. A person with the hyperactive impulsive
form of attention deficit disorder may want a fast paced job
with a lot of multitasking but someone with the inattentive
form of attention deficit disorder may not.
Eg: Person A likes working with people, person B likes working
with information, person C likes working with things. Extroverts
vs introverts, working in teams vs. working solo, etc.
Aspects of ADD friendly jobs:
-Fast paced environment
-Appropriate structure
-Autonomy
-Clearly defined expectations
-Appropriate managerial style (non-authoritarian)
-Team approach
-Allow input
-Compatible with your value system
-Some passion
-Fosters/allows creativity
-Open lines of communication
-Employee input is sought and valued
-Intermediate milestones for projects
-Bite-size projects
-Incorporate interests and hobbies (passion)
-Atmosphere conducive to risk taking/originality
-Employee appreciation
-Job with an admin assistant (to do the boring stuff, i.e.,
paperwork)
-Management engagement
-ADD accommodations
Book recommendation: “Good
to great” by Jim Collins
Quiz recommendation: “The
passion test” by Jane Atwood www.passiontest.com
read the toxic job article
Characteristics
of ADD Unfriendly Jobs:
-Boring
-Repetitive
-Overly structured
-Meaningless
-Toxic environment
-Long-drawn out tasks
-Tyrannical boss or co-workers
-Lack of breaks or rest periods
-Incompetent boss/co-workers
-Close-minded colleagues or boss
-Mentally calcified boss or co-workers
-Uptight work environment (too formal)
-Unclear expectations
Examples of ADD Friendly Jobs
Sales/marketing
Creative arts
Media
Entrepreneurial jobs
Writer
Inventor
Coach/therapist
Trades
Entertainment/performance (stand-up comedian)
Counselor
Hair stylists
Emergency type jobs (ER, paramedic etc)
Police officer
Athlete
Air traffic controller
Post-secondary instructor
Drivers
‘Rock star’
How
to identify your strengths (handouts and websites)
-Try to find a job where you can utilize as many of your strengths
as possible
Books:
Now
discover your strengths by Marcus Buckingham
Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman
I
could do anything if I only knew what it was by Barbara
Sher
Healing ADD by Daniel Amen
The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling by
James Hillman
ADD and work books
Online Articles
151
Positive Characteristics of people with ADD
Top
10 Advantages of ADD in a High Tech Career
-See a career counselor or go to your alma mater’s career
center (the services may be free of charge for alumni)
-Self-reflection
-Ask others “What are my skills and strengths?”
-Note what others compliment you on
-Get a coach (we know what we should do, they will help us
do what we know)
-Do a web search for ADD and work
Some ADD challenges at work:
-Boredom
-Distraction
-Constraints
-Missing information
-Organization/time/space/energy
-Too many details
-Low energy
-Forgetting things
-Dealing with unyielding people
-Physical constraints
-Impulsivity-in actions and words
-Problems with follow-through
-Taking on too much at once
We also got into small groups and brainstormed some ideas
on how to deal with our own individual ADD challenges at work.
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