You are developing work experience with a 25-year-old male with attention deficit disorder.

According to the CESP handbook, one of the core competencies of an employment support professional is to facilitate natural supports in the workplace1. Natural supports are the relationships and assistance that occur among co-workers and supervisors in a typical work environment2. They can help the employee with ADHD to integrate into the work culture, learn new skills, and receive feedback and encouragement3. Working with the employee at all times to keep him on task is the least important structured activity because it may undermine his autonomy, self-confidence, and motivation. It may also create a dependency on the employment support professional and prevent the development of natural supports. A better approach would be to help the employee find strategies to cope with his ADHD symptoms, such as minimizing distractions, breaking down tasks, using reminders, and taking breaks4. Movinghim to a less busy time of the day, developing a routine of tasks, and having the co-workers be his natural supports are all more important structured activities than working with him at all times. References: 1: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 5 2: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 18 3: Natural Supports in the Workplace 4: ADHD in the Workplace