Can ADHD self diagnosis count in the workplace

[whatisforteamum]

I just wondered with the huge waiting times if accomadations can be made or put on record as I strongly suspect I have the hyperactive type.
Has anyone gone down this route.Thank you in advance.

No, which is a good thing

No I doubt it. I score extremely highly on then self assessment. I cba with wait times nor can I afford a private assessment (£1000 plus £200 per month for meds which is what my friends are paying)

I’ve lived with it this long, I know what triggers I have and how I can cope in situations. I manage my workload in a way that suits me.

No, wtf. Would you ‘self diagnose’ anything else and inform your employer?!

If you’re struggling at work then there’s nothing wrong with discussing what you need/want to change with your manager/HR but you deciding to diagnose yourself with something really isn’t relevant to that.

Are you on a waiting list? That could be mentioned at least I know of one person who has done that, especially if you need the accommodations. A close friend doesn't disclose her actual diagnosis to anyone except family and a couple of friends.

Bamboozleme is right

Nope, unfortunately legally it doesn't count.

You are still allowed to ask your manager for adjustments to help you work though - it just doesn't mean that it'd be under the Equality Act.

So you could say: "It would really help me concentrate on work if I had some noise cancelling headphones", for example - they may say no, but you lose nothing by asking!

I'm actually not struggling at work it would be more of an explanation to my colleagues who misunderstand me.
I score highly on the ADHD uk tests.

Nothing to stop you saying you think you had adhd and are on a waiting list for an assessment (are you though?)

but I sure as heck wouldn’t say you have self-diagnosed

You can ask for adjustments even without a diagnosis. Good employers will do what they can to help their employees do the best job.

I hope not.

My employer accepted that I'm autistic while I was on the waiting list, on the understanding that accommodations would be due to being suspected autistic. It was confirmed that I am autistic about 9 months later.

They wouldn't have just taken my word for it without me actively seeking assessment.

I dont think you do need a diagnosis

You need an impairment and it needs to be substantial but the cause of the impairment doesnt have to be specified.

i think a diagnosis helps prove you have a substantial impairment but its not the only way to prove it

Then there is some stuff around things you should reasonably do to mitigate it yourself and a couple of things that are specifically excluded like setting fires and being an exhibitionist.

OP, there is a huge overlap with ADHD and autism. If you're struggling more with social and interpersonal aspects of life, it's most likely not ADHD.
This is why it's very important to get an actual assessment rather than doing online quizzes as by an large there is unconscious bias. Struggling with tasks at work and home should be a large part of your difficulties. Social stuff is secondary in my experience. It does have an impact but it's often the secondary thing.

No and given you don’t struggle at work, there isn’t any need to request any adjustment in the meantime either.

I did discuss with my manager while I was awaiting ASD and ADHD diagnosis partly as you said because it helped explain why I struggled with certain things.

Those who have said no with such authority are incorrect. I work in disability law. You do not need a formal diagnosis to be covered by the Equality Act 2010 or to use Access to Work.

I think it's fine to discuss that you think you might have it or are awaiting assessment.

Just don't misrepresent a self diagnosis as one done by a qualified professional. There's no need to lie, it's well known that diagnosis can take a long time.

Agreed

This is my understanding too.

You don't have to self diagnose anything, you need to explain your difficultly and ask for help.

If you have a condition, diagnosed or not, which means you need reasonable adjustments in order to be able to perform your role, then you are covered by the equality act.

You say that you don't need adjustments for your work, but struggle socially. I would investigate being assessed for both asd and adhd and be upfront with your manager.

I've been open with my team, and if I say something that sounds off or blunt, I've asked them to tell me so I can rephrase it to what and how I really meant. They've all accepted this and I'm a valued member of the team.

I applied for access to work while I was waiting for my adhd assessment. By the time the access to work assessment happened, I'd been diagnosed with adhd. I also informed my line manager that I was on the waiting list for an assessment. It really helped me to chat to them because I was really struggling with procrastination and organising my time.

If it is impacting your work you can apply for Access to Work. You don't need any diagnosis. It's to help with difficulties you're having at work because of diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions.

Whats happening with regards to your colleagues misunderstanding you?

Except you’re wrong. Which is as it should be because diagnosis is not accessible to all.

Of course not, everyone thinks they have ADHD or are on the ASD spectrum when in reality hardly any are.

Michellescarn I interrupt which is unintentional, rush around a bit and I'm generally quite fidgety and switch tasks then return to the previous one.I was told I need listen too which I do.

How can you be certain this is ADHD and not just how you are as a person?

I do all of these things and I do not have ADHD.