For ADHD Awareness Month (1st-31st October), our Office Adminstrator Ellie shares her experience with us as someone who has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and her strategies for managing it whilst in work.
I was diagnosed autistic at 49, a month before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Over time, I’ve realised I’m actually AuDHD (autistic and ADHD), which is much more common than you would think. According to Autistica, around 3% of the UK’s adult population has ADHD and little over 1% are autistic.
I overcame academic challenges due to my AuDHD and for some years worked in academia. However, my neurodivergence, along with parenting, perimenopause and fibromyalgia, conspired to make this impossible and I moved to part-time admin roles.
What helps me
I’ve worked in the Central Services team at The Advonet Group for two years now and it’s the most neurodivergent-friendly place I’ve ever worked in. At bad times, I can struggle to focus or to keep track of what I’m doing, but colleagues are very supportive.
Things that help me include:
- Lists! I often lose them, or forget I’ve made them, but the process of writing helps embed things for me
- A paper diary to help me plan my week/tasks
- Breaking up activities into smaller chunks
- Taking breaks – it’s too easy to get hyper-focused on something
- Grounding objects and fidgets to help me calm
Read more about working for The Advonet Group by visiting our Careers section.
