Why support is needed.
I firmly believe that ADHDers make great educators. After all, enthusiasm, curiosity, creativity, passion for learning, an understanding of how it feels to be different, and an ability to connect with people of all ages and types are common ADHD strengths. Just a few of these strengths can make a wonderful teacher.
Love of learning, curiosity and creativity are all in my top 5 strengths, and I've seen similar patterns in the ADHD educators that I've worked with.
Having said that, it's important to acknowledge that being an ADHD teacher also comes with struggles. From admin overwhelm to perfectionist tendencies that conflict with the harsh realities of teaching today. Rejection sensitivity and more all drive the high risk of burnout.
The crucial difference between ADHD teachers who thrive and inspire hundreds of students and those who burnout after two terms (like me, before I understood what I now know), is having the right support. I want to get the right support to more ADHD teachers. It's right for teachers, right for students, and right for schools.
What support is available
ADHD is legally classed as a disability in the UK (Mental Health Act, 1990). This means that ADHDers come under the Equality Act (2010) which provides disabled employees with the right to reasonable adjustments to reduce or remove barriers to employment.
This means that if you struggle with aspects of your work due to ADHD then your employer (or school) should make adjustments to reduce or remove those barriers. In practise, these are some adjustments that may be reasonable for teachers
workplace ADHD coaching aka Coping Strategy Training
scheduling software to organise meetings, or admin assistance with scheduling
note taking in parent meetings
admin assistance with filing
software such as notion, speechmatics
physical equipment, such as noise cancelling headphones for working in shared spaces
help with data entry, such as marking, behaviour systems etc
It's important to understand that there is funding available for this through access to work (UK). Your school should be able to claim back costs from the government, provided you apply through access to work.
How to access support
To apply for funding through access to work you should
Live in England, Scotland, or Wales
Be in paid employment (or about to start/return to paid work)
Be over 16
Have a mental health condition or disability (such as ADHD) that means you need support to do your job
If eligible, you can apply for access to work through gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply Your school or employer will be contacted, so only do this if you are happy for them to be informed of your ADHD.
It's best practise to talk directly to your employer before they hear from access to work. This way you can give them context about what ADHD means for you and how they can support you. This will likely create better relationships than them hearing about it via access to work.
Before you fill in the access to work application it's helpful to think about what your job entails, and what you need support for. Think about the tasks you do in a typical week and year, which might include
Delivering lessons
Planning lessons
Marking
Communicating with parents
Recording data
Training
Organising events
Attending meetings
Which tasks are made harder by your ADHD? How could you be supported?
Once you have applied, you will be contacted by an assessor who will talk with you about your work and how you might be supported. They may also speak with your employer. Then you will receive your report, detailing what support you have been awarded.
Are you looking for ADHD Coaching or workplace training? Email me at anna@grantacoaching.com to be connected with the most appropriate coach.