This blog post explores ways to accommodate women with ADHD in the workplace.
This week, I filled out a job application and got to the section of the application where it asked if I had any disabilities. Unfortunately, I hesitated to answer. Oftentimes, because it feels that the world does not treat women with ADHD as someone who is disabled, I forget that it is actually a disability.
Immediately after filling out the application, I thought, “Why do they want to know?” I’m a nurse. I have worked in a nursing home facility before. I didn’t ever remember accommodations being made for me or any other employee who had disclosed that they also were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. So, with the information we disclose about being disabled, what did they plan on doing with it?
So I went to my favorite resource. I asked my TikTok followers, and here’s what they said …
One of the common themes in the comment section of this video was that even if you identify yourself as someone with a disability, you do have to ask for the accommodations to be made. In a perfect world, everyone in HR would carefully review the applications, identify each person’s disability, and create a job description tailored to them accordingly. But we do not live in a perfect world.
As far as being a woman with ADHD, here are some of the accomadations you could ask for! All of these tips were from commenters in the video on TikTok, so I will be crediting them by way of their TikTok username.
Accommodations To Ask For at The Workplace As A Woman With ADHD
One of the first and, dare I argue, most important things to remember is – even if you have not yet disclosed that you are a woman with ADHD. YOU CAN DO SO AT ANYTIME, IT IS NOT TOO LATE. You are allowed to disclose that you have ADHD and that you need accomadations when you are comfortable doing so. Each scenario will, of course, be different, and what your job or employer asks for as far as “proof” or “more information” may also be different. It is important to know your rights as a woman with ADHD and fact-check everything your employer may be requesting or requiring from you as it relates to your disability.
Now for the accomadations …
@itsyagirldrnickyj Shared the following categories of places where women in the workplace struggle and what accommodation under each category the employee could ask for
Focus and Attention Support
- Noise-cancelling headphones or earphones
- Quiet workplace or a quiet office
- Reduced visual distraction (desk placement, partitions)
- Permission to work with soft background noise or music
- Written instructions as opposed to only verbal instructions
- Follow-up emails summarizing meetings
Environment Flexibility
- Remote work or a hybrid schedule
- Modified lighting (lamp instead of fluorescent)
- Seating choice and work from quieter locations when possible
Communication and Processing Support
- Advanced agendas for meetings
- Questions provided ahead of time
- Allowing time to think before responding
- Alternative communication ( chat/email instead of verbal on the spot)
- One-on-one meetings instead of large group discussions
Movement and Regulation Needs
- Ability to stand/stretch/move as needed
- Fidget tools
- Walking meetings
- Short frequent breaks
- A sit-to-stand desk
Organization & Memory Support
- Written checklist
- Project templates
- Color-coded systems
- Shared task board
Time Management and Executive Function Support
- Flexible start and end times
- Modified work schedule
- Extra time for a task with heavy concentration demands
- Breaking large projects into smaller milestones
- Use of timer/alarms/task management apps
- Regular check-in with supervisor for prioritization
- Clear deadlines instead of vague expectations
I found all of these things to be extremely helpful! If you are feeling that as a woman with ADHD you need these accomadations to assist you in getting through the work day, please feel free to save so you can share with your employer!
