ebook_ADHD2019

78 Rohde, Buitelaar, Gerlach & Faraone discrimination in employment. Under provisions of such laws, those with ADHD or learning disabilities that significantly impair them, relative to the average per- son, in important life activities may be protected from discrimination in job re- cruitment, hiring, job assignments, pay, lay off, firing, training, promotions and benefits. Such laws may also offer some accommodations for those with ADHD or learning disabilities to allow them to work more effectively. It is important for clinicians to be aware of what protections and accommoda- tions may be provided by laws in the country where they practice. It is also impor- tant for clinicians to caution patients about disclosing their ADHD diagnosis to their current or potential employer until they have accurate information not only about what accommodations are provided by local or national laws, but also about policies and practices in how their specific employer understands and implements such accommodations. Regardless of what may be required by law, if employees with ADHD impulsively disclose that diagnosis and request or demand certain accommodations they believe are due to them, their supervisor or employer may respond in ways that ultimately penalize the employee with discriminatory practi- ces or with termination not easily remedied. SELF-MANAGEMENTAND COPING STRATEGIES FOR ADULTS WITH ADHD In their Adult ADHD Tool Kit , Russell Ramsay and Anthony Rostain 20 provide detailed descriptions of a variety of strategies that can be helpful to adults as they work to overcome chronic ADHD-related problems with disorganization, pro- crastination, excessive distractibility and forgetfulness in a variety of day-to-day functions. Here are some examples: 1 Devote 10 minutes daily to defining your To-Do list, but list no more than 2-5 items; so completion of the tasks remains manageable. 2 Use a daily planner where you write scheduled appointments, work and school commitments, as well as personal, recreational, and self-care tasks. 3 Review your daily planner at the start of your day or the night before. 4 Predict the most likely distractions or barriers that could get you off task and devise ways to avoid them. 5 Plan for physical activity, adequate rest, and regular meal times. 6 Consider that you really can follow through on your plan despite feeling discomfort with it (even if you’re not in the mood to do a task, consider that you can start and finish it). 7 Set up automatic payments systems for recurring bills and automatic remin- ders for tasks.