Jobs for people with slow processing speed

[Anonymous]

What are good jobs, and eventually careers, for someone with slow processing speed? For context, this is a AuDHD teen who scored well on SAT (85th percentile math, 99th English), but is something like 12th percentile in processing speed. They are thoughtful and funny, but soooo inefficient with almost every task they take on, and social interactions are painfully difficult because they just don’t move at the speed of most of their peers.

They’re struggling now with a behind-the-scenes service job — apparently they are “clearly the worst” at it compared to the other employees and aren’t getting much faster even months in. They want a different job, but if they are struggling behind the scenes it’s really hard to imagine them in a front line service job like Starbucks.

And of course, all of this is making me wonder what sort of *careers* might be a long-term fit. I’ve read that slow processing speed doesn’t actually change much over a lifetime…but what professions don’t require hustle? I’m just scratching my head about how to guide them both in the short-term and long-term.

Would appreciate any thoughts, insights, suggestions, BTDT stories, etc. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

This is my 8th grader so will be following. Does medication not help with this?

[Anonymous]

I think you may be focusing too much on the processing speed in isolation without accounting for the co-conditions of autism spectrum and ADHD. Have you asked the treating professionals for suggestions?

[Anonymous]

It sounds like a front-facing and/or fast-paced job may not be right for this person. But they're pretty intelligent.

So Starbucks would be a bad fit. What about something in the library? Restocking shelves and stuff like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like a front-facing and/or fast-paced job may not be right for this person. But they're pretty intelligent.

So Starbucks would be a bad fit. What about something in the library? Restocking shelves and stuff like that.

Also could consider work outside, if her child responds well to that. Landscaping, maintenance at a nursery, that sort of thing -- I know someone with ADHD who runs a landscaping business and does very well. Or working in a bakery, with set routines but some ability to express creativity.

[Anonymous]

Just a thought, but I wonder and working on the macros would help more than identifying a specific career for your child.

Why? My processing speed is very roughly 25-35% or so but I also score highly on standardized tests (with enough time). Yet, I have had an amazing and varied career. I feel like I overcame my processing speed by leveraging other skills/talents. In my case, I care (a lot), have grit, and like people. From those attributes, flows other positives like forming habits, gaining experience over time, and making connections with people that want to work with you.

I know it's really tough to do, but, is there anything you can do as a parent to help budge your child to focus on other attributes that he can leverage (it would have to be a list specific to your child)? I know it is super hard to do this and I am trying to help my three kids (and it's too soon to tell if it will pay off).

Just a random thought from someone on the internet trying to be a bit helpful. Very best of luck in your efforts.

[Anonymous]

I could not be a waitress, but I was successful at being a computer programmer and project manager. Dyslexic, ADHD, low working memory.

I'm sure there are a ton of jobs but your putting too much on this 12% score.

[Anonymous]

Architectural history. Old houses don’t go anywhere and you rarely interact with the public. DC would need to work more than 40 hours a week to accomplish the same amount of work as colleagues. Travel is also required, as so many old houses are in the country. Pay is low fit the amount of education needed. Not saying it’s a great career, but it’s one that doesn’t put undue stress on processing speed.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if my wife has slow processing speed, diagnosed, but she has auditory processing difficulties, does not think quickly on her feet, and is a bit of a slow worker.
She has a PhD, now makes six figures in a federal job. She is thorough and good at finding the logical holes, and cares deeply about doing well.
Don't worry too much. Those SAT scores suggest a good educational reserve that will help your child succeed.

[Anonymous]

What’s the current job? What parts are they good at and what parts are challenging? Did anyone try to teach this job in a way to improve efficiency? What are their interests and hobbies?

[Anonymous]

Service jobs are the WORST for low processing speed. Ideally, they need to get hired for jobs where speed isn't of the essence, and when they graduate college, for their competencies in their area of expertise.

My husband has a high IQ, ADHD/HFA and processing speed issues. He has an MD, a PhD and Master's degrees in stats and comp. science fields. He works in a multidisciplinary branch of research that very few people can do. He did poorly in all the manual service jobs he held as a teen. On the first day of his shift as a delivery driver, he crashed the van.

My ADHD/HFA son tested at the 4th percentile for processing speed when he was in elementary. He has extended time even in college! He's shaping to become a version of his father, but in military strategy/national security/applied data science fields. He'll be a knowledgeable, thoughtful and painstaking analyst someday. US security will be in good hands with people like him. He walked dogs for neighbors as a teen and worked as a camp counselor, which worked out fine. No service jobs, he'd fail miserably.

I have low processing speed too, but not as severe as my son. I'm a research biologist. I worked in a pharmacy as a teen, and immeasurably preferred helping the compounding pharmacist at the back, rather than being at the cashier end, where customers stressed me out and I got so muddled.

There's hope, OP!

[Anonymous]

Are they stupid? No.
Can they do well if they can progress at own speed?
Can they write well and like it?
Novelist, poet, freelance writer.

[Anonymous]

My 17% processing speed daughter is an accountant. She does well because she works fast enough but her attention to detail, adherence to rules, and double checking her work is more valuable than her speed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you may be focusing too much on the processing speed in isolation without accounting for the co-conditions of autism spectrum and ADHD. Have you asked the treating professionals for suggestions?

I agree. 12th isn’t particularly low. It will make some things were speed is critical slow but it’s probably not the reason for what you describe.

[Anonymous]

Following, my son is very similar. I feel like most teen jobs are not a good match.