ADHD Friendly Occupations

Focuses on the features of jobs that adults with ADHD need to consider in realizing a better match between themselves and their chosen occupations. I also discuss a variety of occupations in which adults with ADHD have found success. Many of those occupations are in nontraditional pathways such as performing arts, athletics, self-employment, etc.

You can find more information on this topic in my books, Taking Charge of Adult ADHD.

[Chojan]

I struggled with keeping a job until what I'm doing now. I am a scientific comunicator. I work in a science museum helping visitors understand all sort of topics. Every day is different, I get to walk around the whole museum, and I'm constantly learning new things. MY JOB LITERALLY REWARDS MY OVERSHARING OF FACTS

[ADHDad]

As an advocate I've found that there's no specific jobs or even fields that my clients come from or wind up in. What I have found is that workplace cultures impact far more heavily on their work and life. Poor workplace cultures tend to impact us very deeply and cause burnout and other awful things at a much higher frequency.

[richardleetbluesharmonicac]

The only ADHD friendly jobs are things that you are passionate about. Period.

[SamShank]

Are most ADHDers extroverts? I'm an introvert and most of these jobs sound awful. I find most job lists for ADHD center around extroversion.

[robertjohnston]

I diagnosed myself with ADHD after retirement
I was an airline pilot.
At times it was boring. I really loved it when the weather was bad or when things went wrong😊 and I was challenged.
I was also happier and more relaxed as a Captain rather than a co-pilot. I was very uncomfortable with authority figures. I loved being the authority.
A psychologist told me there are hunters and farmers. I am a hunter always looking ahead and seeing the ‘big picture’. Being a farmer would not have worked
Now at 80, I wish I knew all this sixty years ago.
Great video Dr. Barkley.

[somethingxblue]

As an introverted adhder I find the idea of talking to people all day the most horrible thing in the entire universe

[LilMnstR]

I’m professor at the college. This is the best profession for me. Diagnosed with ADHD and ASD in my late 30th, and suddenly everything became so clear and make sense. I changed the well paid job I hated, monotonous and routine, to pursue career in academia. Thank you Dr. Barkley, your lectures inspired me to start my PhD to do research that will help students with ADHD to be more successful at school and in their future profession.

[ADHDMoney]

Accountant here. I didn’t enjoy working for others in their firms but I have my own firm now and am absolutely thriving. Numbers are my special interest, and joined with the creativity of entrepreneurship as you said, it’s the best career for me.

[RechargePsych]

I'm a self-employed therapist and love my job. Its been a slog to get here, but now ive got all my billing set up to be automated, and i love working with a diverse range of client issues. In my experience, following my interests and joy has brought me a lot of success. Also, people look down on a "jack of all trades, " but all my weird side hobbies have done me well when they suddenly come up at work.

[theophilegaudin]

This advice appears more suited to people having the Impulsive presentation rather than the Inattentive presentation.

[devinkelly]

Doctoral level licensed psychologist with ADHD here….I found that I cant stand doing therapy, so boring! But I love teaching, supervision, psych testing/assessment, crisis intervention….I was sad when I realized I was worthless as a therapist, I have no patience, but I have done well in other ways as a psychologist. Im currently training to learn pharmacology and become a prescribing psychologist in one of the few states that allow it. I would enjoy helping others with ADHD by prescribing medication. Meds have helped me tremendously.

[sacker]

I have ADHD and I’m a scaffold builder; I love the hands on and constantly moving by either building, taking apart builds it’s fun and the time flies by

[STAZ]

Self-employment and entrepreneur are not job descriptions. I hate it when these get listed in recommended occupations. Also, ADHD doesn't equal to infinite energy supplies, especially for people over 35 years old. I had no problem doing physically demanding jobs, the problem was length of the shift—8 hours is considered part-time job these days.

[NanceeMarin]

The exception to the job list is self-employment because it applies to people in general.
Certain people, including many neurotypical people, want to escape wage slavery and aren't built to work for the man. It definitely applies to neurodivergent folks like us. Self-employment allows us to capitalize on our strengths and also allows for full self-accommodation. It's not always feasible or possible to get ADA accommodations in the workplace, especially for people with invisible disabilities or neurodivergent people. It's darn near impossible to get accommodations for dyspraxia here in the US since it's a little-known condition, even though the voluntary self-identification of disability form for job applications has finally recognized forms of neurodivergence including dyspraxia.

I know that not all people can or want to be self-employed, but at this point in my life, it's the only logical option.

I'd say that the best jobs for people with ADHD are the ones they're most interested in or passionate about and where they can use their gifts and talents. That also applies to people in general.

[rebecca_stone]

Dr Barkley. Really appreciate all your knowledge that you make public. This video is ideal for people in their late teens but less so for senior professionals like myself who hit their early 40s only to find out we have ADHD, and want to make sustainable career decisions as 'late bloomers'. The job examples involve a study path (medical), lifelong training (sports, music), ability to be OK with rejection (sales, performing arts), or a significant pay cut. I didn't cope with the admin involved with running my own business unfort! It would be a great topic sometime in future to hear from you about suitable career shifts for those of us already well into our worklives? I'm an ex-journalist in corporate affairs and already have two degrees. :)

[SandyZoop]

Are there separate suggestions for inattentive type? I’ve struggled mightily with motivation, so running my own business was a huge mistake. I’ve made a living as a programmer, but it’s been a constant struggle to do the equivalent of dotting my i’s and crossing my t’s.

[melsmith]

I am 60 and watching this i realise i am finally in my perfect job. I work nights refilling shelves in a supermarket. The task is broken down into small steps, one box at a time, it is very physical and fast paced - we walk at least 10 miles per shift, about 25, 000 steps, social interaction limited to 2 short breaks, reward is immediate because the boxes get empty and they get fewer and fewer through the shift, i have time blindness so i don't get bored over the 10 hour shift, i can listen to music or podcasts in one ear while i work and there's no paperwork. it's great, i wondered why i was enjoying it so much !
The only drawback is the physical stress on my body so i only do 3 shifts a week max. I recommend it if you can stay awake all night and sleep during the day.

[ruthminkov]

Some things that helped me:
- Getting a treadmill/standing desk
- Hiring an admin assistant for my business
- Getting an ADHD/business coach through Upwork

I'm on a basic income but these were non-negotiable for me to be able to work in a white-collar job

[nicholasbury]

The problem is that once you hit 30 and you have a series of low-level jobs under your belt, pursuing many of these careers is no longer realistic.

[punkcardigan]

Librarian is actually a very good job for someone with ADHD! I'm constantly heaving around carts of books and talking to patrons. Public libraries are very community-centered and customer service is a very valuable skill. We don't do a lot of shushing. :) Our children's librarian is very active in her job and gets to play with all of the shinies, too.