ADHD Awareness Month- How can you support people with ADHD?
Neurodiversity is complex and often misunderstood. As a neurodiverse business owner diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), both my personal and professional life are impacted, but it’s not all negative, writes Sophie Allen, founder and design & marketing specialist at Serrano Media...
What is ADHD?
According to the NHS, people with ADHD can “seem restless, may have trouble concentrating, and may act on impulse.” Whilst that doesn’t seem particularly positive, there’s another side to the story; in my own experience, I do struggle with concentration and acting on impulse but ADHD also brings hyperfocus, where I can deeply immerse myself in a project for hours, and sharp critical thinking when under pressure.
ADHD traits also include creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, problem-solving and being outgoing. My creativity and ADHD have gone hand in hand during my career as a graphic designer. However, I’ve also faced time-blindness, forgetfulness, overwhelm and am susceptible to burnout when pushing too hard, but with flexible work habits, I’ve learned to reduce this risk.
Time-blindness is a constant challenge. I don’t perceive time like neurotypical people, which means I’m often late. My clients know and understand this, and we create flexible schedules to accommodate which often then also puts less pressure on my client to turn up exactly on time too. When myself and those around me understand these challenges, they become manageable setbacks instead of major obstacles.
What Can You Do?
Professionally: As an Employer
As an employer, understanding and accommodating employees with ADHD is important. This can be done by introducing flexible work environments, clear communication, quiet spaces or allowing employees to work with earphones in, as well as creating a supportive culture by opening discussions about neurodiversity, without judgement or bias and make the effort to educate employees about neurodiversity whether that’s done internally or externally.
Common stigmas can mean companies view having a neurodiverse employee as a negative, this simply isn’t true. Around 20% of the UK workforce are neurodiverse and we possess valuable traits like creativity, resilience and problem-solving skills therefore, be sure to remember the benefits of hiring and working with individuals with ADHD.
Personally: Supporting Someone with ADHD
If you have a friend, family member or partner with ADHD, ways to support them can be as simple as patience, offering help without judgement or encouragement when they’re struggling. Try to understand from their point of view and if their approach differs from yours, find out why to better understand them.
Understanding the daily challenges of ADHD can be tough, but bear in mind we struggle with areas such as disorganisation, time blindness and emotional dysregulation. Communication is key here it helps get a gauge on timings, feelings and if there’s an outlined plan of action.
Finally, celebrate strengths and talents, rather than focusing on weaknesses - this one applies to employers too! ADHD often comes with anxiety and rejection sensitivity, so constructive feedback and kindness go a long way - for neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals alike.
The importance of ADHD Awareness Month is spreading knowledge, breaking down stigma, and creating a supportive community therefore, I’d encourage you to continue learning about ADHD, advocating for neurodiversity where you can and support individuals around you both professionally and personally.