Access to Work Grant for ADHD: Ultimate Guide on What to Request and How It Can Help You Be More Productive
Let's dig into the top products and services that people have successfully been granted by the Access to Work Scheme.
You've been diagnosed ADHD and have been handed some literature that's vaguely useful including a link to the Access to Work Scheme. Problem is, you have no idea what would help you or what to request. It's confusing and can lead to decision paralysis. This article is gonna help you with ideas of products and services that people have been successfully granted in the past. First off, let's quickly break down what the access to work scheme is.
What is the Access to Work Scheme?
Access to Work is a taxpayer funded scheme that is designed to support people with disabilities or physical or mental Health conditions start, stay in and thrive in employment. It's supposed to go above and beyond the 'reasonable adjustments' that an employer is legally obligated to offer. The maximum grant you can be offered is £66,000 in a year, however this level of grant would be for individuals with highly complex needs. Most people with ADHD are offered a grant in the region of several thousand pounds but everyone has different needs so it varies.
What sort of things can I get support with?
The most common areas that people get financial assistance with are:
- Specialist equipment
- Assistive software
- Support workers
- Travel assistance
- Workplace adaptations
- Mental health support or coaching
What should I ask for to help with my ADHD?
It's common to get a mind blank when it comes to thinking about what could actually help. Very often we've lived with the condition so long there can be a blind spot to what is actually causing difficulties and distress. It's hard to know what would help if you have never experienced it before. Let's dig into the top products and services that people have successfully been granted by the Access to Work scheme and how they could help you.
Specialist equipment
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Background noise can be an awful distraction for people with ADHD, not to mention the stimulation sensitivity. Wearing noise cancelling headphones can really help with hyperfocus in a workplace setting or even when remote working.
Example products:
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Distraction Free Tablet
If you like to take notes and have an organised way of storing them, without the distractions of a tablet or laptop then an e-ink notepad could be just the thing to help.
Example products:
Remarkable 2: No distractions e-ink notepad
Remarkable paper pro: Top of the range e-ink notepad
Amazon Kindle Scribe: No distractions e-ink notepad
Timers and Reminders
A common experience is staying focussed on a task too long, or being distracted too often. In addition, remembering to do certain tasks at certain times throughout the day can be a challenge. These products could help.
Example products:
Pomodoro timer: Simple physical timer
Visual timer: Fun physical timer
Apple Watch: Digital watch to help with reminders
Ergonomic Set Up
Being restless and uncomfortable can be a big distraction. Sitting still can feel painful at times for people with ADHD so offering a variety of potential set ups can be really helpful. Comfortable chairs, sitting & standing desks and ergonomic equipment could be a game changer.
Example products:
Standing desk : Office desk where you can sit or stand while working
Ergonomic chair : Super comfortable chair to stop the distraction of feeling awkward
Ergonomic mouse: Comfortable mouse to stop wrist pain
Anti-fatigued mat: Helps with restless and tired legs
Software
Artificial Intelligence Tools
AI is the new buzz phrase in productivity but it can have a profound impact on helping those with ADHD in their task completion. From reading documents, automating note taking, email summarisation to reducing the decision fatigue of a blank page, it can be a game changer.
Example products:
Chat GPT: Most popular AI chatbot
Gemini: Google's AI chat bot - useful if you use Google Suite of products
Claude: Anthropic's AI chat bot - best used for software development
Financial support tools
Stress is the biggest killer of workplace productivity whether it be from personal or workplace circumstances. Many workplaces are offering support for personal finances as it's one of the biggest sources of external stress amongst workforces in the UK. Those with ADHD are more likely to suffer from financial difficulties so asking for software products that help is a no brainer.
Example products:
Rule: fun and engaging game to help you manage your real life money better
YNAB: zero based budgeting app
Emma: All in one financial management app
Productivity and Focus Apps
This one needs no explanation. Forward planning and maintaining focus are a key struggle for those with ADHD. Let's dig into a few options that can support with this pain point.
Example products:
Todoist: Powerful to-do list app to simplify work and life
Remember the Milk: Smart to-do app for busy people
Grammarly: Helps with the mental load of getting spelling and grammar right
Dragon: Speech to text software
Coaching and Assistance
Sometimes nothing supports us better than real human connection and support. Regular coaching from an ADHD specialist as well as virtual assistants to help with everyday task and meeting management is a powerful tool to help you be your best self.
ADHD coaching & body doubling
Regular 1 to 1 meetings with professional coaches can help you navigate your work and personal life with more ease. Talking through your issues and getting help guiding yourself to solutions is invaluable.
Example products:
Flown: Body doubling sessions to help with focus
ADHD works: ADHD specialist coaching
ADHD 360: ADHD coaching and family support
Virtual assistant
You don't need to be a high flying executive to make use of a personal assistant. You can now get virtual assistants that can give you some dedicated time to help take some of the more administrative tasks off your plate to let you focus on the really important stuff.
Example products:
The virtual assisters: Virtual assistant provider
Time etc: Virtual assistant provider
Timpi VA: Virtual assistant provider
Conclusion
Hopefully this list can help spark some inspiration for what to ask for from the Access to Work Scheme. Remember not to feel embarrassed or ashamed in asking for what you want or what you think will help. That's what the scheme exists for in the first place. Be prepared to explain your needs in detail and how your chosen products and services would help. Best of luck!