What’s the Best Job for Your ADHD? Take This Quiz to Find Out!
ADHD can create a ton of problems in the workplace, it’s true. But it also comes with an enormous number of strengths. Not necessarily superhero powers, though. More like everyday, normal person strengths.
Unfortunately, workplaces (and society at large) tend to take the same, inflexible approach to adults with ADHD: this isn’t real, but also you’re in trouble for having it.
This generalized, somewhat gaslighting approach to confronting symptoms of ADHD is a large part of what makes things like employment so hard. There are ways to make things easier though.
The key is to acknowledge the symptoms and struggles of ADHD rather than confront them. Just like autism, ADHD is neurological and can present itself in many ways. There will be a range of traits and symptoms that you exhibit. Finding a job that’s a good fit will depend on the person and how ADHD affects their lives.
So, we’ve made a quiz that will help you determine what kinds of jobs work best for you. In your results, we’ve included a small overview of the types of jobs you might thrive with. We’ve also gathered a few suggestions of specific jobs to explore.
Results
Score: 10-54
These are jobs for people who are creative, but more introverted and less willing to have a boss. Many of these jobs would be suited to medium to low hyperactivity needs, but might not be best suited to high energy needs (with the exception of farming). These jobs are best for people who prefer a hyperfocus state for much of their day.
For example, freelancers have a lot of flexibility and can control their environments to maximize their focus. They can customize their work to fit with what holds their attention. This work can be largely project-based so that there’s a constant stream of novelty. But it also involves daily routines or processes that keep the person grounded and regulated. There will also be a lot of autonomy for the actual work, though there may be a need to maintain contact with a small team or stream of clients.
The best jobs for ADHD of this type will include:
Writing
Artist
Graphic Design
Programming
Farming
Small business owner (ie handmade businesses, Etsy shops, or freelance work)
Score: 55 - 65
These jobs are for ADHD folks who are less introverted and rate more highly on the hyperactive end of things. These jobs will see you working with bigger teams, more customers, and/or juggling many tasks/priorities. People who need more external motivation (such as a support team or a workplace that’s outside the home) will do well in these jobs. There is still room for hyperfocus in these jobs, but there will be much more socializing and high energy demands.
Jobs for ADHD of this type will include:
Food Service
YouTube/Podcasting
IT Support
Construction
Educator
Fitness Trainer
Landscaping
Score: 65 - 100
These jobs are for people with ADHD who thrive in chaos. There’s less emphasis on hyperfocus and more emphasis on novelty and fast-paced decision-making. These jobs will present a person with constant, urgent problems to solve. You’ll mostly have a boss (external motivation) and/or a number of clients you work closely with. Being “on the go” will be a big part of these jobs.
Jobs for ADHD of this type will include:
Photography
Interior Design
Real Estate Agent
Healthcare worker
Emergency Responder
FAQs
What is hyperfocus in ADHD?
Most people assume that a lack of focus is the main trait of ADHD but the problem is actually in regulating focus. Hyperfocus in ADHD is when you zero in on a topic or task for long periods of time, often forgetting to take care of basic needs like eating or sleeping. With ADHD hyperfocus can be difficult to transition away from. It can be physically painful to focus on something not related to the thing that inspires hyperfocus.
How many types of ADHD are there?
In the United States, the CDC recognizes three types of adhd: a mostly inattentive type, a mostly hyperactive type, and a combination of symptoms.
However, there is some research that indicates that there could be as many as seven types of ADHD.
One problem with current research and understanding of ADHD is that it focuses almost entirely on how the symptoms disrupt others, which tends to be a stigmatizing and incomplete picture of ADHD. For example, parts of the research surrounding the seven types of ADHD refers to the person being “mean,” rather than focusing on the discomfort that might cause irritable behaviors in people.
About the writer
I’m a writer, artist, and advocate who loves living in Maine among the trees and oceanside villages. I’m also autistic, ADHD, and PTSD. My education, both academic and personal, has centered around mental health and neurodevelopmental disabilities, as well as discrimination and the socioeconomic consequences of living disabled in America. I work to plant seeds and spread ideas through my writing and will be among the autistic adults helping you understand your autistic kids better on Spectroomz’ Ask An Autistic. You can find me on Twitter @ladysnessa.