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ADHD Workplace Accommodation Ideas
You’ve accepted that work would be way better if you had some supports…
But what should those look like? And how do you talk to your boss about it?
Asking for accommodations at work can be tricky because not everyone who needs support has a formal diagnosis, and not everyone who has a diagnosis feels comfortable sharing. That’s just the reality of some workplaces. If you either lack a formal diagnosis or a supportive workplace, here are a few ideas about how to approach conversations around accommodations.
Make this about working better and more effectively
Frame this conversation around your desire to succeed at work and contribute. These are ideas that can help your work productivity and output. (Of course I am more concerned about your mental and emotional health, and I personally believe these will help there! But when talking to your boss, frame it around work effectiveness.)
Approach it as an experiment
Pick one of the following ideas and ask your boss if you can try it out for a week. See how it goes. After this one thing has starting working, add another “support experiment”.
Note your progress
Be honest with yourself! Does this particular support actually help? If not, try a different accommodation. There are ways to get what you need, but you have to ask for it.
The following accommodations are categorized by ADHD/executive functioning symptom. There are a lot of ideas here! To start, click a symptom that feels most frustrating for you, and see if any of the accommodations listed would be helpful.
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Break work into smaller, manageable chunks with clear, short deadlines.
Create firm boundaries around "deep work" time.
Use timers (like the Pomodoro Technique) to focus in intervals with scheduled breaks.
Provide noise-canceling headphones or a quiet space to minimize distractions.
Allow flexibility for using focus apps or music while working.
Offer task lists with priority ranking.
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Provide digital tools for organization (like task management apps: Trello, Asana, or Notion).
Encourage regular check-ins or status updates to stay on track.
Implement clear labeling and color-coded filing systems for physical and digital files.
Create a daily or weekly routine for organizing workspace and tasks.
Suggest visual reminders or whiteboards to track progress and upcoming deadlines.
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Use multiple reminders or alarms for deadlines and meetings.
Provide flexible scheduling to accommodate individual productivity patterns.
Encourage time-blocking techniques to allocate specific hours for tasks.
Use shared calendars with clear deadlines to keep everyone on the same page.
Offer project timelines with milestones for long-term goals.
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Notice the physiological response to initiating a new, hard tasks and practicing grounding strategies as a response.
Break tasks into smaller steps and celebrate completion of each step.
Assign a coworker for accountability or a daily check-in on progress.
Encourage the use of task initiation techniques like “5-minute rule” (starting tasks for just 5 minutes).
Allow structured breaks to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
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Set up agreed communication norms to ensure clear, concise responses (e.g., email instead of in-person interruption).
Encourage mindfulness or breathing exercises to slow decision-making.
Allow for flexibility in roles that involve creative problem-solving to channel energy constructively.
Provide immediate feedback on work, especially when quick decisions are made.
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Allow standing desks or walking meetings to accommodate movement needs.
Discuss freedom of cameras on/off for online meetings to allow for pacing/fidgeting
Allow for use of fidget tools or stress balls that can be used quietly during work.
Designate areas where movement and pacing are acceptable.
Incorporate regular physical activity breaks (walking, stretching).
Encourage flexibility in how work is completed (e.g., sitting vs. standing).
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Provide access to quiet or private spaces for cooling down after stressful moments.
Offer conflict resolution or emotional support resources, such as employee assistance programs (EAP).
Encourage self-care breaks or mental health days to manage emotional overwhelm.
Allow for flexible work arrangements when emotionally challenging situations arise.
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Encourage using digital reminder tools, alarms, or apps for deadlines and meetings.
Provide visual checklists for repeated tasks.
Offer AI notetakers or a "note buddy" for meetings.
Implement consistent routines for repetitive tasks, like daily end-of-day summaries.
Use peer accountability for ensuring follow-through on important tasks.
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Provide regular positive feedback to encourage continued success and to give targets for productivity.
Offer constructive feedback in a private, calm setting with actionable suggestions.
Provide constructive feedback at the onset of an issue as opposed to later. If an issue has been a problem but no one was aware of it, provide the feedback in that context.
Encourage open communication and empathy in workplace interactions.
Pair with mentors or supportive colleagues who understand ADHD challenges.
Depersonalize issues that are functional to the entire team.
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Help set clear, prioritized goals to prevent getting stuck on less important tasks.
Use timers or reminders to periodically review and adjust focus.
Allow for flexible scheduling, ensuring that hyperfocus can be channeled productively.
Encourage reflection at the end of hyperfocus periods to assess work done.