ADHD is often played down and seen as just hyperactivity and forgetfullness but ADHD can be VERY difficult to live with for some. Being to able to focus and learn something new can be a challenge. Although hyperfocus can be extremely beneficial it cannot be controlled and wears off over time. A person with ADHD may start off learning something they are interested in with a great deal of hyperfocus and excel for the first few days or weeks but then suddenly be unable to focus and concentrate at all. This does not mean they no longer enjoy said activity nor that they should quit. A lot of times people with ADHD are told to just “tough it out” or that they just need discipline.
But ADHD individuals cannot simply power through or try harder. ADHD can take years to learn to manage sometimes even a lifetime. And while medication can help some, there are many other ways to help manage symptoms. After years of dealing with my ADHD I still struggle daily but I’ve improved tremendously through therapy, medication and knowing techniques for managing different symptoms. I am going to share my expertise on this but specifically in learning web development. Remember that even people with ADHD are all different and what works for some might not work for others.
Forgeting
Memory is a huge problem for staying on task and completing deadlines. A few tricks that are really helpful for me personally are making good use of productivity apps. These include to do lists, reminders, timers and calenders. I often plan out my study hours, my work hours and my appointments and other mundane things in my phone calendar. This is usually enough to help me remember but when I am really worried or it’s really important I schedule a reminder to go off shortly before I must do it. This can apply to learning web development to help you remember to study, complete and turn in assignments (if you are taking a class), and remember to take breaks because hyperfocus can make you neglect yourself
Executive Dysfunction
If you haven’t heard of executive dysfunction it is probably one the banes of my existence. Executive dysfunction is an ADHD symptom that impairs your ability to plan, organize, focus, start, and complete tasks. Basically it feels sometimes like there’s an invisible wall in front of you stopping you from doing things. Sometimes you even WANNA do these things. You enjoy them. But the thought of doing it suddenly becomes like sandpaper on the brain. This is not laziness. This is a very difficult symptom of ADHD and some other conditions.
I’m still learning to battle executive dysfunction myself but some things I learned that can help includes breaking things into smaller tasks, doing some right now and more later (I often just need to get started and not being committed to doing it all in one go is less overwhelming), taking breaks often, and dedicating a space to it so I can get in the right mindset. I don’t need to go into much detail why this can help in learning web development. Executive dysfunction can get in the way of any task.
Restlessness
It goes without saying that Web Development requires sitting at a computer for long periods of time. Being unable to sit still is actually one of the symptoms I suffer from the least but I know a lot of people might need this advice more than me. Some tricks I use or at least have heard of are taking breaks to walk, sitting on something mobile like a yoga ball or a rocking chair, using fidget toys, or small movements like shifting your weight in the seat or tapping your foot. Exercising before long sessions of sitting still can also help. As I write this I shift into different positions on my chair and honestly that usually is plenty of movement for me.
In Conclusion
ADHD is difficult for some and barely noticeable for others but if you working on it, you’ll find out what works best for you. Don’t give up just yet. It just takes time. And plenty of great programmers have ADHD and make it work. So can you.
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