I agree that the students need to be given tools to help them cope with their LD's. If you give them things they can use to help keep themselves focused it will better them for life. They need to be shown these tools as soon as they can that way they will take the most away from them.
Kimberlie,
Certainly, this kind of discrimination (subtle or not) is a reality in the workplace, and it is one of the reasons that Congress passed the ADA (with it's Title I provisions regarding employment settings). I'd like to hope that for every employment setting that deals poorly with issues of disability, there is another one out there that "gets it" and that will provide opportunities to the student with a disability. And, fortunately, the student/employee only needs to find one good one! GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I feel that the student's employment situation maybe a little different than a classroom setting depending on the type of job and the employer they may work for. I feel that all companies don't give everyone a fair chance especially when a disability is involved. Not all the time a person maybe able to determine that a person suffer with ADHD or any other type of disability, but once they find out I feel that some people discriminate against the person and point them out in certain situations.
Christine,
That's a great attitude. I hope you find yourself in a position to provide that support -- that informal boost -- to people in your environment who are capable and active and trying... but need a little guidance now and then.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
When students (any student) is attending college or business school there is a team of support around them from the instructor on up to the advisors. Once these students graduate and start a job where is that support? Now a so called "normal" student may now rely on social skills and getting to know people and stretching oneself socially. For an individual with ADHD it is hard enough to get to know the people in his/her class let alone the support after graduation. I personally feel that there should be a team available for all students after graduation to be that support group.
Gotta get thru the day some how...why not with a little support of your friends or people that you knew in college
Jeffrey,
That's certainly a possibility. That is actually part of why people with certain disabilities sometimes gravitate to a given field (or stay away from others). While being in a job that requires sustained focus for long periods may be difficult for some students with ADHD, the hustle and bustle of always-the-next-customer in a busy retail outlet may help them maintain high energy without getting distracted from the short term need of the customer.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
matthew,
The question is HOW? HOW would the disability interfere in ways that make it difficult for these students? Any of our graduates MIGHT have trouble retaining a job.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I would imagine that in the course of employment, an individual with ADHD may have difficulty focusing on a given task. Becoming distracted on a regular basis can lead to negative employment experiences.
Thank you,
Jeff Porter
they mite have had trouble retainng a job because of their disability
Joseph,
It could -- and then again, it may not. ADHD doesn't come in a "one size fits all." Not all folks have the same impact from the diagnosis, and not all folks learn (or don't learn) substantial coping strategies. Don't be too quick to lump folks with a single diagnosis together.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The same ADHD that caused so many functional limitations in school will most certainly continue to impact this person in their proferssional career. The same problems will continue to arise fr this person through his/her life. It will affect the kind of career/job this person has despuite their intellect and abilities. It will hinder there job growth and earning potential and also their job completion ability.
Erenne ,
Absolutely on target! Years ago, there was a program created for students with disabilities called "Marketing Your Disability." It encouraged students to approach potential employers and talk openly about their disability by saying, "You have seen my transcript. You know I can do the work, and I did it with __ disability. That tells you more about what I am capable of than some of the other prospective workers. Because you can see that I got good grades and performed well on tests, you know that I have already learned how to manage my distraction and focus on what's important." And so on!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
A student with ADHD that completes a degree program, despite the challenges he/she faced during the program, could actually be viewed as an asset. Employers hopefully will recognize that the student is capable of completing classes and finishing a degree despite the challenges and limitations he/she faces on a daily basis. It shows a demonstration of fortitude, perserverance and a desire to be successful.
To answer your question about how the functional limitations created by significant problems with ADHD might impact on a student's employment experience, I believe it won't really be much different than managing other life experiences. These students may have to have certain accommodations to manage their work experience, however, they have demonstrated they are capable of completing tasks by finishing their degree.
Betty,
And still others will succeed just fine. There ARE challenges associated with ADHD that can impact on performance. But they don't have to be overwhelming or debillitating.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Kristopher ,
I applaud you openness to employment of people with disabilities, but there appears to be some surface understanding on your part that could lead to problems. You seem to equate ADHD and mental retardation (the "baggers" you talked about, vs students with attention problems). Be careful not to stereotype or lump together the skills or the issues surrounding various populations of students with disabilities.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Job opportunities depend on the severity of the ADHD. While some can bounce from job to job and have a hard time manitaining a position, others will apply for disability benefits
As a former retail manager we look for certain individuals with these types of disabilities. Some people may have a hard time focusing but usually it maybe because they are not interested. I began managing in a grocery store and we would hire certain individuals to be our “baggers†they stayed focused and didn’t cause a problem. They knew their one responsibility was to put the items in the bag. Now we did find problems when we asked them to multi-task but that’s where good management comes into play. Now there are other disabilities that are hard to work around but it’s always best for the student to know there will be obstacles to overcome but if they have been dealing with it for a long time then they already know this.
Justin,
It can certainly impact on their starting out. But it is conceivable that SOME individuals with ADHD may actually have more trouble later! When they are first starting out, it may be easier to maintain focus and attention because everything is new. Once they get used to the situation, they can sometimes wander in their attention.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
When having ADHD it will effect a person employment experience the same way it will effect school. Starting a knew job there is a lot to learn as if you was in a classroom
Stephen,
So long as they aren't making ASSUMPTIONS about the person's limitations, based on the diagnosis, I would be inclined to agree. But to say, "that post can't be held by someone who is ADHD because they would be a liability.. that's stereotyping!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
