Office Design for Adult with ADHD | ADHD Information

Wow! Thanks Michelle!  My suggestions would be to minimize distractions, but maximize the amount of audio and visual "white noise".  For instance a view of rest of the office is absolutely a no-no, I would get nothing done.  I would think a window at street level would be too distracting too, although I don't have one.  However a high window that lets in lots of light but all you can see is the tops of the trees waving in the wind is excellent for me.  Similarly, you would want to minimize the sound of other people talking or even walking around in the workplace, its too distracting.  But absolute quiet is no good either.  Music or the humm of equipment running is good for me.  Good luck!

Good to know your interested in helping. I often struggle with how best to organize my area.

DO's

solid color walls if you use art it must be simple (i.e. abstract) Minimize anything on the desk ( I purposly bought a desk that only has space for the monitor, key board and a pull out , this prevents me form stacking junk on the desk)  Have many organizing tools opposite wall of desk (filing, in/out, books, etc.) Make sure everything has it's place and that it's labeled I also agree with simple background noise, I like water fountains day light aromatherapy (I found essential oils that are plug-in's form bath and body, I like the lavender and the eucalyptus)

Dont's

visual traffic people/cars able to hear others in office printer close to desk (especially if shared) clutter on desk art/calenders/hangings too many organizing tools (overwhelming) anything that blinks clocks that tick

These are what work or don't work for me but you should definetly talk with your client to see what level they are at for organizing and background distractions and adjust accordingly.

Good Luck!

 

Hello all.

I am an interior design student working on an office design project for an adult with ADHD. I am looking for any info regarding what helps keep you most focused while you are at work. I have searched several research databases looking for this type of information, and sadly, there is none available. I know this topic may seem somewhat frivilous to some, but it is important to me and my studies...Also, it may help others in my department to know how best to design to suit the needs of clients who suffer from ADHD. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Best,

Michelle

The worst thing for me is a window with a view. Often I'll work in the dark with a lamp on (even during the day) because it makes the distractions of other things around me invisible (I wear glasses but still don't see well in the dark.)

I absolutely need music. I prefer to listen to CDs of music I know. I find that if it's music I'm familiar with, it becomes like white noise, but if it's music I don't know, it's distracting.

I agree with not having your back to the door. Yes, you always turn around if you hear a noise, but if you don't hear someone come up behind you and they touch you or talk to you, you can get startled. I almost have a heart attack!

For me it is absolutely essential that I have a large blank wall near the phone. The only way I can focus while talking to someone on the phone is to stand facing a blank wall (I don't know if the color is important -- I've always used a white wall.) I find it very difficult to talk on the phone already because I can't see the person, but if I'm not facing the wall, I can't "hear" anything they say.

I think anything else I would have to say would be repeating what others have already mentioned. I find it interesting that with all the books written about ADD/ADHD, this isn't covered in one somewhere. It would seem to be important. Hey, there may be a business opportunity for you, acnabal!

Hi Michelle!

I have a degree in Interior Design and one of the most important thing is not to put the persons back to the door...then the person will constantly turn around when they hear a noise thinking someone is there.  Not only is this distracting, but ergonomically uncomfortable.  Also placing the person where they cannot see out of the door would be good advice.  Give the person plenty of organization aides such as built in cubbys etc.....and a large desk calendar!  Also a place to post notes so that stickys are not all over the place.  I will post things for you as I think of them.  Good luck on your project!

Amy Leigh (Creative Crazy)