Managing LDs & ADHD in Adults
For adults living with diagnosed or suspected Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD, these challenges affect life at school, work, home, or in social settings.
What Can You Do?
- Understand your brain’s differences
- Implement strategies to manage your brain’s differences and capitalize on your strengths
- Find Help when you need it
Until recently, scientists thought that when children reached adulthood most of them would outgrow their ADHD symptoms. Now it is recognized that for a large percentage of people, ADHD will be a lifelong condition – and if left undiagnosed or untreated, ADHD in adults may impact many aspects of their lives. Although challenges exist for people living with ADHD, there is much to be hopeful about.
Although it is not possible to self-diagnose conditions like ADHD, you may be wondering if in fact you do have ADHD. This section will help you to understand the common ways that ADHD presents and link you to some resources to help you to follow-up.
- In a large survey, 75% of adults with ADHD were not diagnosed as children (Kessler R et al, 2006).
This may be largely due to the common myth that ADHD presents mainly in boys as loud, distracted, impulsive, overly active, and disruptive behaviours.
- been the quiet daydreamer (inattentive)
- fidgeted a lot or constantly in smaller ways (chewing hair, bouncing your leg, tapping, shifting in your chair, playing with jewelry, etc.)
- worked much harder to get passing grades
- avoided tasks by chatting with classmates
- made impulsive social decisions which impacted your friendships
- engaged in impulsive/risky sexual behaviour as a teen
- had difficulty controlling your spending
- been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, OCD, etc. instead
Living with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD may affect your mental health, lower your self-esteem, interfere with relationships and employment, and may negatively impact your overall quality of life.
An assessment for ADHD can be conducted by a physician, psychologist or registered clinical social worker.
Because ADHD is considered a medical (neurobiological) condition, it can be partially treated with medication so it can be beneficial to involve a family doctor, psychiatrist, or neurologist.
If you start the process with your family doctor, ask questions to see how knowledgeable the doctor is about ADHD in adults or if a referral to another physician, psychiatrist or neurologist with expertise in ADHD is warranted. Family physicians typically have less expertise in diagnosing and treating ADHD than pediatricians do.
Physicians will likely start with a complete physical and a thorough medical history, family history, and a psychiatric history to determine if other conditions, such as a thyroid problem, anxiety, or depression, exist or might explain your symptoms. It can help to complete one of the Adult ADHD symptom checklists (see above) to bring with you to your first appointment with your doctor. They may also provide you with checklists and rating scales in the diagnosis process.
Cost: No cost in Canada. Assessments and treatment by a medical professional are covered by provincial health care plans in Canada.
Note that wait lists to see adult specialists can be quite long, although many family doctors will conduct these assessments.
Characteristics of ADHD Can Change Through Life’s Stages
ADHD symptoms and their severity are not set in stone, but rather, can shift throughout an individual’s life. Each phase of our development holds different experiences and demands. Oftentimes, it is when these demands increase that the symptoms of ADHD become more apparent. For most, it’s the demands of the classroom that raise the red flags. For others, it’s the demands of a workplace, a marriage, parenting, etc.
Challenges seen during the childhood years continue to have an impact throughout various aspects of life, such as following through on responsibilities, maintaining supportive relationships, and work performance. It is important to note that ADHD diagnosis in adults requires only 5 symptoms (instead of 6 for individuals under the age of 18) to be present in order to meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD diagnosis in adults.
The characteristics of ADHD change throughout development:
- Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms are more visible in very young children and tend to “mellow out” over time. However, significant hyperactivity and impulsivity are still observed in some adults with ADHD, and particularly in those with substance abuse and antisocial behaviour.
- Inattentive symptoms become more apparent in adolescence and continue into adulthood.
When left untreated, unsupported, and misunderstood, the impact of ADHD evolves over the child’s development. Ideally, children are diagnosed early in their school-aged years in order to increase their chances of success over their lifetime. Research into this area indicates that untreated ADHD can lead to lower outcomes in all areas of their life: academics and employment, antisocial behaviours, higher risks of injury when driving, addictive behaviours, and lower self-esteem.
Preschool
• Behavioural disturbances
School-age
• Behavioural disturbances
• Academic impairment
• Poor social interaction
• Co-morbid conditions
Adolescence
• Academic impairment
• Poor social interaction
• Lower self-esteem
• Smoking/alcohol/drugs
• Antisocial behaviour
• Co-morbid conditions
College-age
• Academic failure
• Not coping with daily tasks
• Occupational difficulties
• Low self-esteem
• Alcohol/substance abuse
• Injury/accidents
You may have heard at one time that most children outgrow ADHD when they are adults. However, it is now known that most children with ADHD develop into adults with ADHD. Although symptoms may present differently or change with age, they rarely go away all together.
The good news is that you likely have a better understanding of ADHD by now, you are recognizing how those symptoms are impacting you as an adult, and hopefully you have a game plan in place to manage those behaviours. Make sure you stick with it!
Navigating the Life Stages of ADHD: Key Concerns and Strategies for Diagnosing and Treating Adults with ADHD. (podcast & video). By ADDitude.
ADHD Treatment & Strategies
We’ve laid out a picture of some ‘worst-case scenarios’ above – but this is only more likely to happen if you don’t have a diagnosis and treatment in place. The good news about ADHD is that with a diagnosis, treatment, strategies, and supports in place, ADHD can be managed and managed well. And remember to focus on your strengths!
Medication may be considered as part of a treatment plan, in combination with counselling and implementing strategies. You will want to work closely with your physician to find the medication that works best for you
Research indicates that untreated ADHD is associated with poor academic outcomes, unemployment, financial difficulties, poor social outcomes, increased relationship difficulties and increased mental health issues.
Experts in the field of ADHD agree that medications are the most well-established and widely used treatment for ADHD. Research indicates that individuals with ADHD who are treated with appropriate medication have an increased ability to regulate themselves improving their life outcomes and a reduced risk for negative life outcomes (substance-use disorders, depression, criminality, serious traffic accidents, etc.).
If you are having a hard time coping with ADHD symptoms and/or if you are struggling with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues, then the first step may be to discuss your concerns with your doctor or access Mental Health Services in your region.
If your issues are significant, your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or a specialized agency that requires a referral.
Otherwise, you can access most mental health practitioners, such as a psychologist, directly without a referral.
Counselling sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in both ADHD and mental health challenges can provide support for ADHD and co-related challenges.
Start by establishing healthy daily habits as they often have outsized positive effects for individuals with ADHD.
- Eat regularly
- Eat well
- Get a good nights sleep
- Exercise daily
ACTION PLAN
We are fortunate to be living in a time where there is an explosion of information about ADHD, including strategies for adults to manage ADHD Executive Function challenges. But it can all be a bit overwhelming! How do you get started?
Take a step back, evaluate what your needs and goals are, and come up with an ACTION PLAN.
Using the S.M.A.R.T. Goals template below may be helpful.
Specific
What exactly do you want to achieve?
Good goals area clear and defined
Measurable
How will you know then you’ve achieved it?
You will need to be able to track daily progress
Achievable
How can the goal be accomplished?
List the specific tasks you will need to complete
Relevant
Why is this goal important to you?
Does this goal help add to your plans for the future?
Time-bound
When do you want to achieve this goal?
Set your target date so you can guide your work toward a successful completion
Start the process off by doing a self-evaluation.
- In what areas of life does ADHD impact you the most?
- In what areas in your life are things working well for you?
- What are your strengths, interests, and preferences?
- What is a current aspect of your day to day life that you might want to improve upon? (executive function skills)
- How are your current strategies, systems, and routines working?
Treatment of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal: Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. Published 2008.
Understanding ADHD Medications. Article by Roy Boorady, MD, and child and adolescent psychiatrist. Published by Child Mind Institute
How CBT Dismantles ADHD Negativity: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Overview
Find Reputable Adult ADHD Resources & Sources of Support
ADHD is a widely researched neurological condition. That said, it is also a condition that can leave many with more questions than answers and, unfortunately, often a great deal of misinformation. Controversies that have sold as “breakthroughs” have been confusing and sometimes make it a challenge to find supports that actually work for adults with ADHD.
There is no shortage of information available when you type “ADHD treatment” into Google. Unfortunately, there is a massive amount of misinformation that pops up when you do this. It can be incredibly overwhelming to sort the good from the bad (and the ugly). We encourage you to be cautious and skeptical consumers of information as not everything you read is true (particularly on the internet).
Review our Screening Checklist to guide you in finding a service provider that is a good match for your needs.
Medical doctors can assess and diagnose ADHD, as it is a neurobiological condition that can be treated with medication. Doctors prescribe and oversee ADHD medication. They
- may be your first point of contact with the assessment and diagnosis process.
- can work with you in treating the disorder with medications.
- may refer you to other health specialists such as psychiatrists for medication management and treatment of other mental health or psychiatric disorders.
- may refer you to psychologists, counsellors, ADHD coaches, support groups, and other resource specialists that support individuals with ADHD.
The RESOURCES section on our website provides reputable websites and books on ADHD.
Learning Disabilities (LD) does not mean you cannot learn. It does mean that despite you having at least average or higher intelligence, you experience unexpected difficulties in some learning areas. LD is an umbrella term that includes difficulties with processing what you see, hear and feel; difficulties with memory for learning; and/or difficulties with executive functions which involve organization, planning, strategizing and time management.
This means you could have difficulties with speaking, reading (including Dyslexia), writing (including Dysgraphia), math (including Dyscalculia), social interaction and relationships, and/or organization. An individual’s difficulties are usually in one or two areas, but they could also experience challenges in all of them.
Reflect on your life and identify how many of the following you have experienced:
- a family history of Learning Disabilities – LDs often run in families;
- difficulties in school with learning academic skills that other children seemed to learn much more easily;
- any challenges with reading/writing especially;
- challenges with memory;
- challenges with processing information quickly;
- repeating grades;
- homeschooled due to learning issues;
- did not complete high school or graduated with too few credits;
- did not pass a placement test for college;
- started but did not complete post-secondary education;
- difficulty completing courses for professional development or upgrading at work; or
- experiencing a great deal of anxiety in everyday life.
Learning Disabilities are diagnosed by a registered psychologist who will use a combination of personal interviews and a variety of tests to determine your learning capabilities and challenges. An assessment is important in order to rule out other reasons why someone might struggle with their learning; that is, Learning Disabilities can often come with other conditions and/or look like other conditions (e.g., ADHD, anxiety).
Am I An Adult With A Learning Disability?
It is important to find psychologists who specialize in diagnosing Learning Disabilities in adults.
Benefits of a psychologist completing a psycho-educational assessment are:
- A full psycho-educational assessment can determine if other conditions such as a learning disability exist, which is quite common. The assessment report will give you a picture of your full learning profile, including your challenges and also your natural strengths and aptitudes.
- Psychologists can help you to learn strategies to manage your Learning disability.
- Psycho-educational assessments are particularly helpful for adults who plan to or are attending university and need their profile information, particularly when it comes to seeking out accommodations.
- Some adults may benefit by having a psycho-educational assessment done for workplace accommodations.
- Psychologists may also uncover and provide treatment for related challenges, such as anxiety and depression.
Costs: Unless you can access a psychologist through the health system, psychology services are not covered through provincial health care plans in Canada. Most private extended health care plans will cover psychological services. Some agencies offer sliding scale rates for psychological services if you qualify.
Foundational Learning, Upgrading or Post-Secondary School
Whether you are a young adult transitioning from high school directly to a post-secondary or a mature adult pursuing further education later in life, you need support! It can be daunting for everyone – but it is even more challenging if you also have to manage a Learning Disability or ADHD.
Considerable support is provided for learners at any education level and time of their lives through government-supported LD and ADHD programs for adults and at most post-secondary schools in Alberta. They help people with a diagnosed disability of any kind, including a Learning Disability or ADHD.
Below is information for you about adult learning and post-secondary institutions.
- List of post-secondary institutions in Calgary & Alberta with links to their Accessibility Offices.
- List of adult academic upgrading agencies.
Foundational learning is for adults who have decided to start or re-start learning basic school-type skills and/or English language skills. These programs for adults are for learners who have never had the opportunity of any kind of formal schooling, had interrupted school experiences, or have only had a few years of school.
Foundational learning programs are focused on basic literacy, numeracy and digital skills. You can use these skills to make everyday life easier, and to prepare for employment and academic upgrading programs.
Though these programs are not specifically designed for adults with learning disabilities or ADHD, many foundational learning instructors are able to recognize signs of learning challenges and can further refer clients to appropriate programs.
Calgary Learns lists all of the foundational learning programs available in Calgary. They are a CALP organization (see next paragraph).
Community Adult Learning Programs (CALPs)
The Community Adult Learning Program supports over 80 community-based learning organizations which provide informal learning opportunities focused on basic literacy, numeracy and digital skills. They are available in every region of Alberta. Their website has a map where you can find a CALP program near you.
CALPs are community-based organizations funded by the Alberta government under Skilled Trades and Professions, Advanced Education, to provide, promote and increase access to foundational learning opportunities in areas such as: adult literacy, numeracy, English language learning, basic digital skills, and skills for learning.
Alberta Government: Going Back to School as an Adult
Check out this website to learn about how the Alberta Government can support your goal to upgrade or go back to school. If you are 19 years old or younger on Sept. 1, explore your options for finishing high school and academic upgrading here.
Calgary Board of Education; Adult Education
- High School Upgrading: Students can upgrade or enhance their high school diplomas as they prepare to enter post-secondary institutions or the of world of work.
- Continuing Education: Professional Development courses offered in: School-Based Training, Writing & Workplace skills, Computer training, Finance. Online courses available.
- Adult Basic Education: prepares a student for high school or the workplace; full or part time options.
- High School Upgrading: Complete the high school courses you need for college or university. Study at the campus or at home through our online option. Locations: downtown Calgary, Okotoks, and Airdrie.
- Academic Upgrading: Columbia College has 3 levels of Academic Upgrading: Grades 1-6, Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-12. While each level is unique, learners in Grades 1-9 are working towards reaching their employment goals and learners in Grades 10-12 are focused on meeting the entry requirements into a further education program.
Colleges and universities have an accessibility department or office, which is usually a part of Academic Services or Student Services. This department is where you would meet with an Accessibility Advisor or Learning Strategist. They will help you to access accommodations and other academic support you might need.
Legislation for post-secondary institutions is different than for K to Gr. 12 school systems and so are their processes for disability accommodations. While each post-secondary institution is bound by the same legislation, each will have their own policies and processes in place.
Alberta Human Rights Commission
Duty to Accommodate Students with Disabilities in Post-Secondary Institutions PDF.
Ask your accessibility advisor if you qualify for funding. You may qualify for Grants for Students with a Permanent Disability.
Note – only students who have a permanent disability and have updated documentation will qualify. Alberta Student Aid explains, “A permanent disability is a functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at the post-secondary level or in the labour force. The disability is expected to remain for the person’s expected natural life.” Both Learning Disabilities and ADHD are considered permanent disabilities.
Listed below are the post-secondary institutions (PSIs) in Calgary, Edmonton, and other parts of Alberta. You will have to do your homework to match your area of interest and your learning needs, with the PSI that may be better suited to you. These post-secondaries have supports for diverse learners and accessibility advisors or learning strategists to work with you.
The PSIs are listed alphabetically within each catergory.
Alberta University of the Arts (formerly ACAD)
SAIT – Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Accessibility Services
In the work environment we all have to evaluate how well we are performing and what we can do to improve our effectiveness. For people who are also managing LD and/or ADHD, it is a good idea to implement a Success at Work Plan to ensure you have chosen a good career to match your individual profile, and have strategies and accommodations in place to help you to meet your potential in the workplace.
With each new job or role, you may need to go back to that plan and update your skills and strategies. Most regions will have employment resources and support service providers available to assist you.
FIND HELP – Employment Services lists government support and employment agencies in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Understand your learning profile, including your aptitudes, strengths and challenges.
You should review your psycho-educational assessment (if you have one) to understand your learning profile and how your Learning Disability and/or ADHD may be impacting you as an adult. Understanding how your brain processes information, learns, and remembers can help you to decide which strategies and accommodations will work best for you.
Service Providers: Educational Psychologist, Learning Strategist, ADHD Coach
Sharing, or Disclosing, that you have a disability can be a difficult decision. Here are some things to consider:
It is a personal decision as to whether you choose to inform your employer about your disability and when you choose to disclose. It can be a tricky decision because LDs & ADHD are invisible disabilities and the challenges they may cause you at work might range from subtle to more severe. Their impact at work will also depend on your role and expectations placed on you.
Most governments have laws in place to protect individuals with disabilities against discrimination in the workplace and that require employers to provide reasonable accommodations that do not put the employer in ‘undue hardship’.
If you have a diagnosed disability, you have Employment Rights in Canada. It is a good idea to review and understand what your rights are.
If you shared (disclosed) your disability with your employer but your requested accommodations are not being implemented or you feel you are being discriminated against because of your disability, then you can access an advocate to share your complaint with and help facilitate constructive conversations.
Remember though that your requests for accommodations must be reasonable, and the requests don’t put the employer in a position of undue hardship. Most governments will have advocates in place to support you.
Check in regularly to see new articles and resources about topics related to Adults in the Workplace.
If you or your adult child are struggling to manage ADHD symptoms, you are not alone. There are many resources and service providers available to help people with ADHD to develop strategies and skills, including for related emotional and social skills.
When you are starting your search, you need to consider:
- what type of service you are looking for and why
- what qualifications the service provider should have based on the type of service they are providing
- how to determine a good fit for you
Sources of Support is a list of professionals and agencies to help you in your ADHD journey.
There are a range of services available to support you so be prepared to ask targeted questions to ensure that the service provider has expertise in providing the specific service or intervention you are seeking.
Where to Start
When choosing a service provider, start with trusted sources for referrals to find who may best fit your needs. But remember, the final choice is always up to you!
Ask friends or family members who have been in similar situations to share referrals to any medical professional or psychologists with the right type of expertise (cognitive, academic, processing, social, emotional, behavioral, etc.).
If you have a family physician who you trust, ask them to share referrals.
The PAA website allows psychologists to pay an annual fee so that they can list their services and describe their areas of expertise. Be careful in paying attention to what they do and don’t provide. The referral service does not, by itself, tell you the depth or breadth of the psychologist’s background or experience. See below for questions to ask and consideration to keep in mind.
Interview Process
Be as clear as you can be about what you are hoping for from the assessment and the professional relationship.
- Is it merely a diagnosis you need? Or are you looking for someone to explain everything to you in-depth?
- Are you going to be the main ‘consumer’ of the report or are you asking the medical professional or psychologist to write a report for a study program or your employer?
- If the main audience isn’t you, are you clear on exactly what the school (or other stakeholders) needs? If not, clarify with them before deciding who to work with.
We’ve provided a word doc of the Screening Checklist that you can adapt and take with you when you are interviewing service providers. Good luck!
Many of us struggle with mental health issues at some point during our lifetime. This can be especially true for individuals who have the added challenge of trying to manage Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD.
To learn more about Mental Health issues that may co-exist with LDs and ADHD, go to: Common Co-Existing Diagnoses: Mental Health.
Your first step will be to talk to your family doctor and connect with mental health supports in your region.
If you live in the Calgary Region, go to the website; Access Mental Health – Calgary Zone
Phone: 403-943-1500 or Toll Free: 1-844-943-1500
If you need immediate help, call the Calgary Distress Center Or, access Eastside Community Mental Health Services
Listed are resources and some of the public and community service providers in the Calgary Region (Alberta, Canada) that provide mental health support for adults, youth and families. Hopefully it will start the process to connect you with those who can help.
Anxiety Canada is a central resource where children/families, youth and adults can learn about anxiety, including how to manage it. Under Find Help, the online directory provides listings for anxiety services and programs across Canada that are free or offer sliding scale pricing.
MyHealth.Alberta.ca offers advice about Mental Health Problems & Stigma.
Bell Let’s Talk promotes awareness and action with a strategy built on 4 key pillars: Fighting the stigma, improving access to care, supporting world-class research and leading by example in workplace mental health. Family, individual & group therapy, Case management, referrals to addiction & MH supports. Limited access to other health consultation services including psychiatry.
eMentalHealth Their A-Z Mental Health Conditions & topics provide helpful information for the general public.
HelpGuide is a nonprofit mental health and wellness website. Their mission is to provide empowering, evidence-based information that you can use to help yourself or your loved ones.
Employment Services
Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities assists persons with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. It supports persons with disabilities in overcoming barriers to participation in the Canadian labour market, and it supports employers to hire persons with disabilities. This program supports a wide range of programs and services, including job search supports, pre-employability services, wage subsidies, work placements and employer awareness initiatives to encourage employers to hire persons with disabilities. The Opportunities Fund is delivered across the country by Service Canada Centres, in partnership with organizations in the community.
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
Western Canadians who have a disability can access a network of business professionals and a world of resources through Western Economic Diversification Canada’s Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP). The EDP provides business information, training and development, mentoring and one-on-one counseling services.
Calgary Contact: Momentum
Website: www.Momentum.org
Telephone: 403-272-9323
Fax: 403-235-4646
Email: info@momentum.org
Disclaimer: The Learning Disabilities & AHD Network does not support, endorse or recommend any specific method, treatment, product, remedial centre, program, or service provider for people with Learning Disabilities or ADHD. It does, however, endeavour to provide impartial and, to the best of our knowledge, factual information for persons with Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD.
