Is ADHD a Disability?
Is ADHD a disability?
Technically yes, ADHD is recognized as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States. The ADA is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires reasonable accommodations to be provided in various areas of life, including employment, education, and public services.
According to the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) “The ADA does not contain a definitive list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, the ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. For more information about how to determine whether a person has a disability under the ADA, see How to Determine Whether a Person Has a Disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).”
Under the ADA, individuals with ADHD are protected from discrimination in areas such as employment hiring, promotion, and job retention. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with ADHD, such as flexible work schedules, modified job tasks, or assistive technologies, to help them perform their job duties effectively.
In the educational setting, students with ADHD are entitled to receive appropriate accommodations and support to help them succeed academically. These accommodations can include extended time for tests, preferential seating, or access to note-taking assistance, to name a few.
Overall, the ADA recognizes ADHD as a disability and provides legal protection against discrimination while also requiring reasonable accommodations to be provided to individuals with ADHD in various domains of life.
ADHD as a Challenge in the Workplace
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) can pose difficulties for individuals in the workplace. The core symptoms of ADHD, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, can create unique challenges that affect work performance. Below are a few of the ways in which ADHD can pose challenges in the workplace.
Difficulty Concentrating and Staying Focused:
ADHD can make it hard for individuals to concentrate on tasks and stay focused. They may get easily distracted or have racing thoughts, impacting their ability to complete work efficiently.Problems with Organization and Time Management:
Individuals with ADHD often struggle with organizing tasks and managing time effectively. This can lead to missed deadlines, poor prioritization, and difficulty completing projects on time.Restlessness and Hyperactivity:
Hyperactivity and restlessness are common in ADHD. This can make it challenging to sit still for long periods or engage in tasks that require sustained focus.Impulsivity and Decision Making:
Impulsivity can result in hasty decision-making and poor judgment at work. Individuals with ADHD may struggle to think through their actions or consider the consequences.Communication and Interpersonal Relationships:
ADHD can impact communication and social interactions, affecting collaboration and understanding instructions from colleagues or supervisors.
What Types of Accommodations are Available?
The Job Accommodation Network as suggested several accommodations for folks with ADHD. Several of those suggestions are…
Provide structured breaks as a physical outlet
Utilize a job coach to teach/reinforce techniques
Allow the employee to work from home
Review conduct policy with employee
Adjust method of supervision
Use services of EAP
Provide private workspace
Provide a quiet work space
Allow use of noise cancellation or white noise
Work from home if no effective accommodations in office environment
Uninterrupted work time
Taking allotted breaks as needed
Minimizing marginal functions to allow focus on essential job duties
How to Get Accommodations
The first step to securing accommodations is by undergoing an assessment by a trained mental health professional. Read more about ADHD assessments here. It is crucial that a person be thoroughly evaluated for ADHD to determine if they have the diagnosis. If it is found that they do have the diagnosis, the next step is typically to provide documentation to an employer. From there, you would work with the employer to develop the most appropriate accommodations to set you up for success.
Next steps…
PRGRS Therapy conducts thorough and affordable ADHD assessments as well as provides official documentation that can be used for accommodations. Contact us today to schedule a free 15 min consultation. We accept most major insurances and can help with out of network benefits. We provide all virtual care in NY and NJ.
203-364-4731
