Workplace experiences of language teachers with ADHD

While childhood Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been extensively researched in recent years, studies concerning how adults with ADHD cope in their private lives or in the workplace are relatively few in number. The current study used a questionnaire survey to investigate the experiences of language teachers (N=48) with ADHD in the workplace. A content analysis of the textual responses to open-ended items showed that language teachers experience issues related to focus and self-control, task steps and process, task initiation and execution, memory, and emotional and physical responses. Three additional themes include: workplace relationships, coping mechanisms, and unique skills due to their ADHD. Findings indicate that the work life realities of teachers intersect with their work with students so much more research is needed to investigate how these unique relationships affect students’ learning.