Is ADHD Considered a Disability

ADHD, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a common brain/mental disorder that affects how the brain functions and develops. ADHD is first diagnosed mostly in childhood and often lasts throughout adulthood, however, there are many who don’t recognize or realize that they have it, which is why it is important to know what it is and how to diagnose it. It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving from time to time, however, if common, it can be severe and cause difficulty moving forward, whether that may be at school, at home, at work, or even around others like friends or family. 

Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (acting without thinking about the result), or being overly active. The three main characteristics are most often hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. 

Does ADHD count as a disability?

Whether ADHD is considered and counts as a disability depends on a number of factors such as the person’s circumstances, the legal context, and even the country involved. 

In Canada, ADHD is recognized as a disability under the Canadian Human Rights Act. Ontario’s Human Rights Code includes mental impairments within its definition for disability as well. This means that there is a duty to accommodate for employers and educational institutions, as they are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations. It is important to know that diagnosis alone may not automatically grant legal disability status or financial benefits. A person with ADHD must demonstrate that their symptoms significantly limit their ability to perform.

The same goes for the United States. ADHD is considered a disability under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), where your symptoms severely limit major life activities like learning, working, or concentrating.

Is ADHD a Learning Disability?

ADHD is classified as a common disorder that co-exists with other learning disabilities, however, it is not considered a learning disability. Many people who have ADHD also have learning disabilities; the two are different. Although it may not be a learning disability, ADHD does still affect learning. People may experience difficulties with learning or schoolwork for different reasons, and individual assessment could help identify appropriate support. Dyslexia and Dysgraphia are examples of different learning disabilities that affect learning. 

ADHD Disability Benefits

Depending on where you live, individuals with ADHD may qualify for government disability benefits and/or tax credits if the condition causes severe, prolonged impairment. A diagnosis alone does not always automatically grant benefits, and eligibility depends on how symptoms restrict daily living. Although different countries such as the US and Canada provide different benefits, they both require proof that the symptoms are severe enough to prevent you from performing mostly full-time employment. Medical documentation may also be required. 

These benefits may provide financial support or tax credit/aid. If you go to school or go to work, there may be accommodations in the classroom or workplace.

How Can ADHD Affect Everyday Life

ADHD can cause some possible challenges that can affect everyday life. The degree of impact and how it impacts vary from person to person.

• Planning and organizing 
• Maintaining focus on tasks
• Remembering deadlines and appointments
• Starting tasks and following through
• Maintaining routines and responsibilities 
• Managing time and switching between different tasks

It can ultimately impact many different areas, and it varies from person to person. Those with ADHD may experience issues with time management and organization, work/school, relationship and communication, and even overall health. 

Helpful Strategies for Managing ADHD

Techniques for managing ADHD may vary based on age group, but most often, they typically involve some type of combination of therapy and medication. Medication given is most commonly stimulants and is most effective. You may be given the following:

• Methylphenidate 
• • Ritalin (short-acting)
  • Concerta (extended)
• Amphetamines 
• • Adderall (dextroamphetamine and mixed salts)
  • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)

There are some cases where non-stimulants are prescribed if stimulants cause severe side effects or are ineffective.

Managing ADHD involves different strategies and depends on what lifestyle changes you are trying to make or improve.

Organization & Time Management

• Break down tasks: splitting large, overwhelming goals/projects into tiny steps
• Brain dump: Writing down random ideas, thoughts, worries, or to-dos to reduce stress and clear mental clutter
• Two-minute rule: if a chore or request takes less than two minutes to do, it is better to do it right away rather than putting it off.
• Make time visible: alarms, physical timers, or countdowns can be important for tracking
• Scheduling: Adding extra time for travel or appointments can be important, setting aside 10-15 minutes, for example, can help with scheduling.
• Digital tools: leverage the tools available to you on your phones or computers, such as smartphone calendar apps with automatic reminders, or habit trackers to help you visualize progress.

Health & Lifestyle

• Minimize distractions: silence notifications, wear noise-canceling headphones, or put yourself in an environment where nothing will distract you. Keeping your phone away can help a lot.
• The Pomodoro Technique: working in short bursts that are timed, instead of trying to work for a prolonged period of time (25 minutes of focused work, followed by a short break)
• Exercising regularly: exercise is very important, and moving your body can naturally increase dopamine levels.
• Healthy sleep schedule: maintaining a sleep schedule that is consistent can help with productivity, and avoiding caffeine or screens late in the evening can help. 

How To Keep A Routine With ADHD

When it comes to sticking to a routine with ADHD, it works best to introduce and replace strategies that are rigid with flexibility. It is best to follow strategies that support dysfunction and time blindness. 

The best way to manage ADHD all starts with good habits. Those with ADHD typically find an inspiration to change their lives, but they are often unsustainable, and they give up. It is great to have these goals, but habit-forming and change are a process that is more long-term.

• Start small. Break large tasks into smaller steps and focus on one micro-habit that is easy to do. Pick one tiny anchor habit that you can repeat that can help you build on what you are trying to improve. Drinking a glass of water when you wake up is a good example.
• Drop the thinking of all-or-nothing. Most people, when they miss a day, consider it a failure and either stop the habit they are trying to build entirely, or simply just decide to resume it during a “fresh week”. If you miss a day, that doesn’t mean you failed, simply resume the next day.
• Limit your daily goals and focus on just a couple of tasks that are doable per day. 
• Break tasks down into micro-steps. Instead of “clean the house”, break it down to smaller tasks.
• Tracking habits and reviewing progress.
• Habit stacking, where your habit can be tied down to something you already do every day. For example, after brushing your teeth (something you already do every day), you will drink a glass of water.
• Using reminders and calendars.
• Reducing unnecessary distractions.
• Introduce dopamine and rewards.
• Keeping items that are essential in a spot that is highly visible to you and is easy to spot (keys by the front door in a bowl). 

There are a number of things that can help you keep a routine with ADHD, and the list can go on and on. 

Does ADHD Get Worse With Age

ADHD is very unlikely to get worse as you age and get older, however, the truth is that as you age, life generally gets more complicated with new responsibilities and problems being introduced. This means that as ADHD may not get worse as you age,  the increasing challenges and responsibilities of getting older may make things feel more complicated and may feel harder to keep up. It is also true that as you get older, you become more self-aware and you may be more likely to notice all the impairments that come with having ADHD.

As you leave school or a structured life at home, you lose a sense of having a schedule that is more predictable, forcing you to rely on yourself. Responsibilities begin to pile up: managing finances, a career, a house, and relationships. Your brain simply isn’t going to age like milk, but rather life just gets more complex the older you get.