Chronic lateness or timekeeping problems

[Zuleika]

I recently lost my job due to timekeeping problems, and I know from reading these and other ADD forums that this isn't unusual with ADD adults.

But I never see lateness, time keeping or time processing issues mentioned in literature related to job accommodations or serious problems that ADDers have with their jobs. Usually it's all "reduced distractions" or "extended time to learn tasks."

As we all know, how ADD manifests can be pretty different from one person to the next, and most of what I see that tries to explain ADD to employers or HR people just branches off from the traditional "hyperactive little boy" version of ADD. I'm tired of trying to explain my problems to people who think I'm making it up because none of what they've read about ADD has anything to do with these kinds of problems.

Anyway, I'm curious:

a) if you've lost a job because of time problems
b) if you have trouble with time processing, sequencing, and related issues
c) where you'd rank this in your ADD-related work issues (#1 problem, problematic but not dire, not an issue, whatever)

[Sandy4957]

Been there.

Done that.

It is far and away my #1 problem with work.

But it didn't help that one of my partners was a sociopath.

[rd_wnc]

Time management and prioritizing what and when to do things is a major challenge for me. I work with several people who are ultra-detail oriented and organized and I am not. I can be creative which can "make up" a little bit, but letting little details slip gets noticed and it's embarrasing.

Lately I've been setting up electronic reminders in my email but I've also heard of folks using a watch with a vibrating alarm to kind of jar them back to reality if they get sidetracked. I have 2 wall calendars and an electronic one on my computer. Usually by the time I've written something down and typed it into my calendar (or even set up a cell phone reminder) I will remember it anyway.



I often seem to underestimate how long things will take and what time I need to leave home for appointments.

[Dizfriz]

Zuleika

This may be of some help.

The time sense can be very much effected by ADHD and for some it can be devastating.

To help people understand, I wrote an essay on time sense in children that may be of some assistance. You can find it at
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60130

If you wish something more authoritive you can read Barkley's discussion of this in a transcript of a workshop on ADHD. You can find it at:

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/2054

You can download or read the article from here. His discussion on time sense starts around page 23.

Barkley is considered to be the top person in the field and he might add some needed weight to you attempts to educate others.

Good luck and keep on plugging. Time sense deficits are a little discussed but very important part of what ADHD can do to a person with the disorder.

Dizfriz