ADHD and Career Success: Barriers, Facilitators, and Future Research Directions

Persons with attention deficit hyper-activity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to be unemployed, underemployed, and live in poverty in comparison to their peers. A substantial body of literature examines the medical and occupational challenges experienced by persons with ADHD. Yet, an emerging area of research highlights how the relationship between ADHD and career success is multifaceted and dependent upon the interaction between individual and environment. Considering these advancements, it has become especially important to identify both the barriers and facilitators of career success encountered by persons with ADHD, so that individuals can make informed decisions and employers can become more ADHD-inclusive. In this chapter, we draw from research in the fields of management, psychology, sociology, industrial relations, rehabilitation sciences, medicine, disability studies, economics, and design to outline current understandings of career outcomes for persons with ADHD, relevant career success barriers and facilitators, and directions for future research.