Also YSK that ADHD presentation is near identical to sleep apnea and mild autism spectrum. Even if you get a ADHD diagnosis remain skeptical and have the other two checked out with a sleep study and a autism specialist.
Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
11–20 of 63 posts
Re: Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
#12Re: Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
#13Re: Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
#14have you heard of synthetic adderall from China?
Re: Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
#15I know this is more of a warning of what NOT to do that’s not really answering your question but take it from me, once you are no longer a 20-something things catch up with you big time.
Re: Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
#16Focus is a learned skill for everyone. A common myth among ADHD people is that deep focus and extended concentration come naturally to normal people. Truth is that spending 8 hours per day focused on deep work is not automatically easy for anyone. Everyone has to work on building that skill. ADHD people just need to work a little harder. Some tips: 1) Structure your environment to enable sustained attention. Be aggre…
Building off of this especially the accountability section - when those with ADHD fail (and those with other mental disorders) - is often perceived by others as poor priorities, lack of maturity, etc. It's critical that it not be seen as such and those help the individual stay on task - through positive reinforcement, task management, organization, etc. - NOT shame.
Re: Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
#17Backstory: I'm a senior engineer at one of the world's top 10 tech companies. I've had ADHD (and some kind of light Asperger's) my entire life, to the point where I couldn't concentrate on anything the first 12 years or so of my academic career _except_ for certain subjects that really interested me, like math. Some things that works well for _me_: 1) Good noise-cancelling headphones. I'm extremely sensitive to noise…
Re: Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
#18Focus is a learned skill for everyone. A common myth among ADHD people is that deep focus and extended concentration come naturally to normal people. Truth is that spending 8 hours per day focused on deep work is not automatically easy for anyone. Everyone has to work on building that skill. ADHD people just need to work a little harder. Some tips: 1) Structure your environment to enable sustained attention. Be aggre…
Agreed entirely. ADHD is real and should be taken seriously. I've been tested positive by a non-quack in the 90s and again as an adult a few years ago. Building off of this especially the accountability section - when those with ADHD fail (and those with other mental disorders) - is often perceived by others as poor priorities, lack of maturity, etc. It's critical that it not be seen as such and those help the indivi…
I find resources for adult significantly lacking. And therapy is an option however many US Health Insurance plans don't cover therapy.
And my deductible is an amazing $5,000. Ugh.
Re: Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
#19As others have recommended, repetitive music helps. The prodigy, Infected Mushroom, cowgirl, combichrist, etc are all on my work playlists.
I found keto really helped a lot for me to get sustained focus, YMMV.
If you do get flow, ride it.
Re: Ask HN: With ADHD, how did you become an effective software developer?
#20Backstory: I'm a senior engineer at one of the world's top 10 tech companies. I've had ADHD (and some kind of light Asperger's) my entire life, to the point where I couldn't concentrate on anything the first 12 years or so of my academic career _except_ for certain subjects that really interested me, like math. Some things that works well for _me_: 1) Good noise-cancelling headphones. I'm extremely sensitive to noise…
This 1000x. I try to keep a pool of those kind of tasks when I can't concentrate on my main task so I still feel like I'm making some progress. It's helped a lot.