If you're a developer with ADHD, you've probably heard all the standard advice: "just focus better," "try harder to pay attention," "use a planner." That advice misses the point entirely. ADHD isn't a focus problem — it's a attention regulation difference that, when understood and managed strategically, can actually be a significant advantage in technical work.
I've worked with countless developers who have ADHD, and the most successful ones aren't the ones who try to force themselves into neurotypical productivity frameworks. They're the ones who build systems that work with their brains, not against them. They leverage their hyperfocus for complex problem-solving, use their pattern recognition for debugging, and channel their restless energy into learning new technologies.
The goal isn't to mask your ADHD or pretend it doesn't exist. It's to understand how your brain works and build a career that lets you do your best work.