Niles,
Don't forget that Title I of the ADA assures appropriate accommodations for employees with disabilities, just as Titles II and III provide for accommodations to students.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Mozell,
That COULD be true. But then again, if the individual has good coping strategies, they may have learned to schedule in breaks for themselves that will help them to focus as needed.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Teri,
Hmmm... I would have to disagree. While maintaining attention on one task for a long period can be difficult, multi-tasking may be next to impossible for someone who has ADHD. Too many things to get distracted with! Like everything else, this varies greatly from one person to another,but it is something to consider.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I agree that the conditions do interfere with the general practice. Sadly, many are afraid of even hiring someone who may need accomodations.
The student will have to learn to adapt to his/her situation, just as they did in school. They will have to be upfront with their employer and make any necessary adaptations. If they don't, they can't expect that the employer will understand what's going on.
Also the person can continue to get help on the outside; through physician's care, therapy, support groups and such.
This could negatively impact a student's career in many possible ways. For example, someone with ADHD would have a hard time focusing on one specific activity for a long period of time, thus creating potential problems with their job.
That student may present with difficulty in fields where long periods of attention to one task are necessary. S/he would most likely function better in a position that allowed for lots of multi-tasking.
I think someone whom has ADHD will face a considerable amount of problems in the work place because the student has to find ways to cope with those extra limitations for example missing details or staying focused on one task at hand or simply following directions.
Donna,
That's terrific. I would think that the school personnel are in a position to advise both students and potential employers about restrictions and possibilities. Everybody wins!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
We deal with many graduates with varying disabilities and functioning levels. Each graduate is prepared to go into the job world academicly, but we do provide extra assistance and work with the many services in town to find the best workplace matches.
Kelly,
They are certainly impacted. The question is whether they can learn coping strategies and/or use accommodations that will keep those symptoms from becoming a problem!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
ADHD can significantly impact a student's employment experience if they do not have the proper "tools" to know how to face these limitations. It is far too easy to get distracted and forget the smallest of details. An employer could discipline an employee for a variety of things including administrative details, attention to detail or proper steps of operation. I feel that someone with ADHD is in fact affected in every aspect of their daily life!
Theresa,
You are right. Knowing someone's diagnosis tells us little about the capabilities or their skills. Some will find ways to manage very severe symptomology. Others will have all sorts of trouble because they have never learned to manage their mild symptoms. It always ends up being case-by-case.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Geneva,
I agree with your conclusion -- that if they are successful they should receive all due credit. But I can't agree that ADHD won't have an impact after the classroom. Even those that have learned to manage very well do so only with significant effort. To suggest that it isn't a problem once they have learned to manage their symptoms doesn't give such individuals nearly enough credit.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I tend to agree with you on this. some who have ADHD can just do one task and do it well. Others, on the other hand, can do some multi-tasking. This would depend on how the disability manifests in the individual. My husband can work on industrial machinary, but is unabale do attend to minor tasks around the house.
I don't think it would affect them at all. I think they know their limitations as to what they can and can't do. I know people with ADHD, and you would not even know they had it unless they tell you. If they can work the job and do well at it then I applaud them.
Sherry-Lynn,
Knowing how to use the accommodations appropriately, and developing coping strategies are certainly the goal. But it is important to remember that the disability isn't going to go away or lessen over time. The IMPACT of the disability on performance may seem less dramatic over time, but the disability itself remains. I shutter when I hear people talk about "weaning students off of accommodations", as though accommodations are a crutch that they shouldn't need as time goes by.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Dr. Jarrow, If a person has had the opportunities and/or they sought to take ownership for the use of accommodations they receive, as they mature to adulthood then it would seem that the individual has learned to cope with and learned strategies that they can bring to the job successfully. We have so many supportive devices available to us; computers/programs that really can aid someone who struggles. I know that in my experience having the use of grammar/spell check and writing programs such as WORD has certainly allowed for many bright students to express themselves in writing. When my son was in the 6th grade we pushed for an accommodation that allowed for a computer with a word processing program to be in each of his classes. We also had him subscribe to books on tape for all his textbooks and other reading material he wanted. He became an avid reader and gifted and imaginative writer with the use of these accommodations.
Sherry-Lynn,
That's a good argument for why we want students with disabilities to receive and use the appropriate accommodations while they are still in college -- so that they know what to ask for and how to use those accommodations and strategies when they get out on the job.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Certainly, significant problems with ADHD that are not being managed can and do affect the workers ability to perform the tasks of many jobs. In some instances and certain jobs I believe ADHS functional limitations need to be considered. For instance, a person who has limitations in organizational skills and cannot functionally do what is needed on the job could pose a safety risk to fellow workers or clients. Adaptations and coping mechanisms for developing the skills or having alternative ways to organize for instance can be taught and learned and used for successful outcomes for the person with ADHD.
