When I disclosed my ADD for work accomodation, minor ones, I was asked if I was taking medication for it. Can they ask that? Im a teacher so Im not working with machinery or anything like that. Later, when I accessed my file and read the written report of the meeting that HR rep. took, it never mentioned that they asked me. I didn't tell them.
I believe there are certain questions that they CAN ask and certain questions that they CAN'T ask. I don't know where you find out or who to even ask. A lawyer? But which kind?
If I were you, I definitely wouldn't pursue any more attention to my ADHD. Because you work with kids, you already know that you have a whole set of challenges. (I have my degree in teaching but I am not teaching now) If parents find out, it could cause some paranoia (My kids' teacher has what??? I don't want my kid to have HER!). There's a whole host of ramifications for disclosing to your employer. Some warranted and justified, others aren't but could work against you. Not that these things will definitely happen but you open the door for the possibility. Just things to think about.
why are we treated so horribly? We are so misunderstood...because non-ADHD people are ignorant and don't want to learn. That's the harsh explanation. A gentler term would be that non-ADHD people are innocent and naive.
THATS A PERSONAL CHOICE.
IF ITS YOURE CARRER AND YOU NEED ACCOMDATIONS SO BE IT
DISCLOSER OF MEDICATIONS ID CALL YOUR LOCAL LABOR BOARD.
.
I AGREE 99.9999 PERCENT OF ALL PEOPLE ARE IGNORANT TO ADHD.
I SEE RESEARCH IN THE MRI SECTOR OBLITERATING THE MYSTER WITHIN 20 YEARS. THE USE A NEW MAGNATIZED GAS INSTED OF LIQUID .
THE RESEARCHERS ARE CONFIRMING ITS 1500 TIMES STRONGER THAN CURRENT MRI METHODS .
ACTUALLY SEEING MOLECULES AS THEY REACT IN THE BODY
I GUESS THAT WE WILL SEE THE HUMAN MIND REACT TO WORDS LIKE
HYPER , ATTENTION, AND NO IN REALTIME.
AS WELL AS WATCHING MED EFFECTS IN REAL TIME .
-------- OH HAPPY DAY
FOR NOW IM NOT MEDICATED BUT IVE SEEN MY ADHD ADULT PEERS GET LABLED AND THEN CRITICIZED WITH THIER MED SWINGS BEING THE EASTEST TO POINT AT.
ONCE A PERSON THINKS YOURE CRAZY THEY CLOSE THE BOOK NEVVER TO LOOK AT YOU DIFFERENTLT AGIAN.
I WAS ASKED IF I WERE MEDICATED A ACTED LIKE I WAS OFFENDED AT THE THOUGHT OF MY MENTAL COMPENTENTCY WAS IN QUESTION.
THEY BACKED OFF.
----
ANYWAY
ME PERSONALLY I WOULD WAIT UNTLI AFTER THE SINK OR SWIM PHASE (FIRST 3-6 MONTHS) BEFORE I REVEALED MY ATTENTION DEFICITS.
I am not on mediucation, and disclosed my ADD after 3 1/2 years when I flet acccomodations, albiet minior onres. would help me control my "verbal" outbursts of enthusiasm. I disclosed only to educate them, and I didn't want my boss to think I was incompetant, but rather Im just wired differently. During the disclsure I was asked if I was taking medication. I felt this to me an invasive question. They didn't extend me a contract for next year, even though I review has been stellar! My job has been my family. I am so hurt.
thank you all for your support. :)
Just another example of why NOT to disclose. Sorry to hear about that. Sometimes it might be better to just let people be ignorant. I can't make someone learn something they don't want to learn. People are going to judge me no matter what I tell them or don't tell them. why would I want to give them another reason to judge me negatively? I would only disclose my ADHD if my boss or another co-worker disclosed to me that they are ADHD or have a family member or something. They're the only ones that won't judge.You continue to have MY support! (can't speak for anyone else.lol)
Two things...
First sorry to get off topic, but we all know how that
goes lol... Ommas really? Don't abuse the caps locks
key. I literally took one look at your post and had to
skip over it because a post written entirely in caps
lock is very difficult and annoying for me to read.
Please respect the members of this board enough to take
the time and effort required in writing a well though
out written response that is easily read.
Anyways, in my opinion, I wouldn't mention your ADHD/ADD
unless it comes up. I'm not positive of what they can
or can not ask you, however, it's generally a good idea
to keep it to yourself until you truly know you can
trust that person. The pre-judgments of finding out 'a
person has ADHD' outweigh the potential benefits that
come of it.
Sadly in this day in age, I do not feel we are well
enough understood that we can straight up tell people we
have ADHD without it having more of a negative impact
than a positive one. That is my two cents...
Becaue I am a teacher, and are surrounded, literally, by ADD/ADHD kids, that it would be acceptable. I dislcosed verbally many times that I'm ADD, without so much a s a nod. It was when I finally asked for accomodations that I feel there lies a prolem. My boss had repremanded me for an incident where , yes, I was talking with "excitiement," about soemthing he had been staiting incorrectly. Not only was he minformed, but he was misleading the families in his newlwtters about the subjuect. Anyway, I wan't trying to make him look bad, but that is how he took it. AWhen he talked to me about it, I went BLANK. I wasn't able to say what I wanted to say because he was angry. So, after I asked to respond to administratrion in writing, whcih he agreed upon, he has lsiterally avoided me. He goes to my Lead teacher instgead. It was during this time I was asked if I wqas on meds.
thanks for your inout. I will never disclose it again!
Sorry, for the bad typing...I'm not wearing my glasses!I have been given stellar written recommendations by both the principal and vp. I feel that because I have a strong personality, and walk to the beat of a different drummer, they feel I am a lose cannon. It is so hard to find excellent teacehrs these days, and I am one!good thread.
Ommas always types with locked caps and I like it personally. And that is off topic too. criticism , or suggestions for another poster, can always be sent via email to the forum system
On topic: I announced and it has been bad for me. I am in a big company and thankfully they are very respectful of every individual BUT not every employee is like that. and gossip is sure to follow me from department to delpartment as i moved with in the company. Now i am where i want to stay and need to fight the fact of my being differently wired.
for example, on certain intelectulaay challenging work responsibilites, i am way better than anyone in my 8 person working group. On others, where i a markedly "slow learner" I take a lot of heat.
kenudaboat (as in padle the boat?) It sounds like you have a lot to offer your students. Please keep the forum informed over the comming months and years
as Hallowell says, a good job is one of the two most important things in life for adders. I believe that very much. It is worth doing what ever is needed to get yourself in a good job. that can mean giving up what others think of you in the case of the principal and vp in this thread. The politics of it smell like i have at work too and it is crapy indeed. I work hard on only being concerned wiht others behavior towardme and not what they may think of me. that is none of my business.
Thankfully, I get along with everyone aqt work. I meet every deadline and an very creative when it comes to lesson plans. I just think they think of me as , "rebel." I'm going to the CEO Tueday. I am requesting they renew my contract unnder serveral discrminatory acts under ADA . What do I have to lose? I laready have the recommendations in my hot, little hands! Ha!Wish me luck!
Thank you!
mardi AKA: kenudaboat (means nothing, really. My its a nickname for my dog that my daughter gave her years ago).
I've told a selected few folks where I work (an office with about 40 people). I fought the impulse (not easy for me!) to tell a lot of people soon after I was diagnosed... and the longer I waited the shorter my list got of people got.
One thing...even if I choose to reveal (and I rarely do) that I take medication, I never say what kind. A friend with ADHD adivised me on that...he had revealed to a couple co-workers that he was taking Ritilan for his ADHD and that's what got spread all around his office...that he was "on speed."
I cannot take meds. They have a terrible effect on me. Im pretty good at doing things i need to do first, everythng else is in a pile..somewhere! lol
But, I will never disclose again. Ppl wwill just have to think im naturally quirly and energetic, with senility, mixed in!
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