Our ADHD workplace needs assessments help employees with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) achieve their full potential at work.

Occupational Psychologist ADHD Assessments

Our occupational psychologists carry out in person ADHD workplace needs assessments in London, Nottingham, and Birmingham. We offer online ADHD assessments nationally throughout the UK

ADHD At Work

Our occupational psychologists carry out ADHD tests with people in the workplace. Our private ADHD assessments are used to recommend reasonable adjustments for individuals with ADHD to remove barriers and create a level playing field at work. We provide ADHD diagnosis online and in-person adult assessments for ADHD. We develop strategies for ADHD management and create inclusive cultures for neurodiverse people by addressing challenges which people with ADHD might face.

It is estimated that 1 in 30 people in the UK have ADHD. Around 80% of people with ADHD are undiagnosed Underdiagnosed ADHD is particularly high in Black and minority ethnic communities

Difficulty Concentrating and Staying Focused

Concentrating on tasks which require a lot of reading or sustained mental effort can be demanding for individuals with ADHD. They may zone out, miss important details, and struggle to deal with more mundane and monotonous tasks which they do not find interesting. This can lead to other people having a negative perception of them in the workplace, incorrectly labelling them as lazy, unmotivated, or even rude. This can lead to people with ADHD receiving poor work performance reviews, failing exams, capability procedures being activated, and even disciplinary action. They might find it difficult to perform well in long recruitment processes with long interviews and extended assessment centres. Our business psychologists work with human resource professionals and senior managers to ensure that their recruitment processes do not inadvertently incorrectly discriminate against people with ADHD. Following an online ADHD diagnosis or a face-to-face ADHD diagnosis, our occupational psychologists can work with organisations to make the necessary reasonable workplace adjustments.

Time Management and Missing important deadlines

Time Management can be challenging for some people with ADHD. Difficulties with executive function can mean that important deadlines can be missed or late because of the tendency always to leave things at the last minute, no matter how long is available to do things. Thus, time management can become problematic when there are workplace demands or when an individual with ADHD moves into a more senior role. Our workplace ADHD evaluations identify time management strategies to ensure that people with ADHD excel at time management.

Difficulty Staying Organised

Staying organised is a challenge for some people who have ADHD developmental disorder. Difficulty staying organised may result in work not being completed on time to the standard required. Some people with diagnosed ADHD find it difficult to multitask and manage complex projects. Written work can be unstructured. Unless a comprehensive ADHD assessment is carried out and reasonable adjustments are implemented, these difficulties can persist. These difficulties may create a risk of complaints and losing important customers.

Poor Relationships with Work Colleagues

Work colleagues of individuals with ADHD/ADD may sometimes cause them anxiety, which might make communication difficult. These difficulties can lead to a deterioration in their mental health and can cause anxiety and depression or make it worse. People with ADHD can be somewhat impulsive. Although this does not mean they are necessarily inappropriate, these impulsive or hyperactive actions, such as interrupting other people in meetings or getting up to pace, may sometimes cause workplace tension. Strategies for ADHD management are a key part of our ADHD workplace needs assessments.

Poor Work Performance Reviews

Workplace performance management reviews are often based on targets and deadlines, an area that some people with diagnosed ADHD can struggle with. Consequently, if they or their managers do not use the correct strategies to manage their ADHD, they can receive comparably worse performance reviews than their neurotypical counterparts. A workplace needs assessment can identify how to address these problems through reasonable workplace adjustments. In one study, people with ADHD reported more problems getting work done effectively (55%) and working to their potential (69%). Some 22% reported problems with their attendance, and 23% reported poor performance evaluations. People with ADHD also reported problems with their manager and working in a team. Harvard Medical School and the World Health Organisation found that individuals with ADHD do 22 days less work per year than their neurotypical counterparts

Anxiety and Depression

Many individuals with ADHD also present with anxiety and depression. Some people with diagnosed ADHD can be quite emotionally liable, which means that their moods can shift rapidly. We work with organisations and individuals to provide consultancy, counselling, coaching, and mentoring to help people with diagnosed ADHD manage their anxiety and stress in the workplace. Approximately 24% of adults who are on sick leave also exhibit symptoms of ADHD. Self judgement because the negative reactions by neurotypical people to people with diagnosed ADHD can cause rejection dysphoria which is a much deeper reaction to rejection.

Difficulty Staying in Employment

According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) individuals with ADHD are three times more likely to leave their jobs on impulse and approximately 60% more likely to be dismissed. Some 30% of individuals with ADHD are more likely to have long-standing employment problems.

Top 10 Tips and Strategies for Managing ADHD At Work

Everyone with diagnosed ADHD is different, so the strategies used will need to be customised to the individual and their work environment following a comprehensive ADHD assessment and an ADHD workplace needs assessment. However, our top ten tips for managing ADHD at work are discussed below.

1. Get An ADHD Workplace Needs Assessment

Following your ADHD assessment get a workplace ADHD needs assessment so that our occupational psychologists can recommend reasonable adjustments to your job to ensure that you can perform your job effectively.

2. Hire A Personal Assistant

Many people with ADHD function well with a support worker or personal assistant. Finding a support worker with an eye for detail can tremendously improve your performance at work. There is even a grant available for a workplace support worker.

3. Hire An Executive Function Coach or Workplace Coach

Training your brain so that you can function more effectively is the best long-term solution for individuals with ADHD. Behavioural strategies such as counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and environmental adjustments should always be the first line of attack before using medication. Even for individuals who have ADHD medication, it is essential that they also apply the strategies which we have recommended here, as ADHD medication alone is not a magic pill to cure ADHD. Furthermore, ADHD medication does have side effects for some people. An executive function coach will work with you over time to implement the behavioural changes in your day-to-day functioning, thus mitigating the impact of ADHD. Grants are available for executive function (EF) coaches and workplace coaches for people with ADHD.

5. Work In The Right Environment

Changes in the environment, such as changing seating arrangements and adjusting light and noise can improve the performance of people with diagnosed ADHD. Reducing distractions in the office also improves their performance. Making the best use of the day by having shorter periods of focus and allowing movement breaks can be helpful. In addition, it is helpful for managers to reinforce verbal requests with written instructions. It might be helpful to avoid hotdesking and to have a permanent desk or allow it to be booked. People with diagnosed ADHD can be very sensitive to light, sound, touch, and smells, so these must be controlled.

6. Discuss Your Difficulties with HR and Your Line Manager

Tell your organisation about your ADHD when you get a diagnosis. Your line manager, the human resource department and the occupational health department should always maintain confidentiality about your ADHD. ADHD is a disability under the Equality Act 2010. As such, there is a legal requirement for your manager to make reasonable adjustments because of your ADHD. However, if your organisation does not know about your ADHD, it is difficult for there to be a legal requirement to make reasonable adjustments because of it. Consequently, you may not be protected under the Equality Act 2010 if you do not let your organisation know about your ADHD diagnosis. Join an ADHD support group; if your workplace has an ADHD or disability support group, join that one, too, as they provide psychological and practical support.

7. Use Project and Time Management Strategies

Set alarms and reminders. Make realistic lists. Give yourself plenty of time and some more time in case there is slippage. Get into a routine. Set do lists. Keep an up-to-date calendar and tick off tasks as they are completed on your phone tablet or post-it note. Structure your working day. You may find the daily timesheet on your phone or computer helpful to do this. Use in and out trays to sort work and to identify what is important for the day. Break up larger tasks into smaller tasks. Always remember to exercise regularly, have a healthy diet, and get a good night's sleep. It will also be helpful to avoid drinks that have high levels of caffeine or chocolate at least six hours before bedtime. Additionally, avoid watching TV and playing games while in bed.

8. Remember Your Strengths and Successful People with ADHD

People who have ADHD are often creative and find it easy to share thoughts because of their high level of energy. They can be quick-thinking and useful in crises. In addition, they can absorb large amounts of information. They can think outside of the box. They can be hyper-focused, and this can help in a variety of situations when creative or quick action is required. Find a job suited to someone with ADHD. This means you might want to avoid a job that requires constant attention to detail and focus on jobs that require high energy and intelligence. Many people with ADHD do well as teachers. They make outstanding freelancers and entrepreneurs. There are many successful people with ADHD, such as

• Paris Hilson
• Russell Brand
• Micheal Jordan
• Jamie Oliver
• Ikea founder Ingar Kamprad
• Richard Branson of the Virgin Group
• Charles Schwab, the founder of the world's largest stock brokerage firm
• John Chambers CEO of Cisco Systems

9. Use Assistive Technology

Voice recognition software and spell-checking proofreader application software are helpful for people with diagnosed ADHD. Software applications that help organise and prioritise activities and project management software help people with ADHD perform effectively at work. Additionally, noise-cancelling headphones help. Text readers and reading pens are tremendously helpful for people with ADHD. Timers can also help people with ADHD who lose their sense of time.

10. Train Your Team In ADHD Awareness

Managers will benefit from our ADHD awareness training and consultancy services, which provides useful information on developing an inclusive culture to support neurodiverse people within the workplace. Our occupational psychologists are particularly skilled in working with organisations to create an inclusive culture and to provide the right context for the adjustments, as there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The adjustments must be customised to fit the specific needs and operational demands of each organisation.

Find Out More – Further Reading

Work Place Autism Needs Assessments

Workplace Neurodiversity Needs Assessments

Occupational Health Psychology Assessments

Well-Being Assessments

ADHD Assessments

Career Choices for People with ADHD

ADHD at the Workplace

Undiagnosed ADHD

Understanding ADHD A Guide for Employers

Reasonable Adjustments in the Workplace for People with ADHD

How Not to Manage An Employee With ADHD

Workers with ADHD

Workers with ADHD and Ability

Understanding the Impact of Employees with ADHD in the Workplace

ADHD At Work

Successful People with ADHD

Why People with ADHD Often Thrive as Freelancers and Entrepreneurs

National Institute of Clinical Excellence Guidance of ADHD Assessment