Understanding ADHD: The Benefits of Occupational Therapy

Hello Dazzle! Thanks for coming and hanging out with me today, I’m glad that you are here. Today I want to talk about ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). ADHD affects many aspects of a person’s life—relationships, work, education, and overall functioning. While most people are familiar with medications or psychological therapies as common treatments, there’s another powerful approach to managing ADHD that doesn’t always get as much attention: occupational therapy (OT).

Occupational therapy is unique because it focuses on helping individuals engage in meaningful activities—what therapists call “occupations.” In this context, “occupations” aren’t just jobs; they are the daily tasks and roles that give people a sense of purpose and independence, like cooking, cleaning, working, or even socializing. OT can be particularly effective for people with ADHD because it doesn’t just focus on reducing symptoms but also helps improve the real-life, day-to-day functioning that ADHD often disrupts.

How Occupational Therapy Works

The primary goal of OT is to help individuals fully participate in the activities that matter to them, whether that’s at home, work, or in social settings. For those with ADHD, the challenges often stem from difficulties with executive functioning, time management, organization, and social skills. Occupational therapists work directly with clients to address these issues by modifying their environment, improving their skills, or even adjusting how they approach tasks.

A key aspect of OT is recognizing that occupations are central to a person’s identity and sense of competence. Whether it’s completing a project at work or managing household chores, how well someone performs these tasks affects their self-esteem and overall well-being. For adults with ADHD, staying on top of these responsibilities can be difficult, but OT provides practical tools and strategies to make things more manageable.

Addressing Organizational Skills and Time Management

One of the most common complaints from people with ADHD is difficulty with organization and time management. This can manifest in chaotic work spaces, cluttered homes, missed appointments, and chronic lateness. Occupational therapists can help by introducing structured systems and routines that make it easier to keep things organized. For example, color-coded labels, filing systems, and designated places for everyday items can reduce the clutter and frustration that often accompany ADHD.

Time management is another crucial area where OT can make a big difference. Adults with ADHD frequently struggle with prioritizing tasks, underestimating how long something will take, or becoming distracted before a task is complete. Occupational therapists can work with clients to develop daily schedules, using tools like timers or electronic reminders to stay on track. These strategies can help create a more predictable routine, making life less stressful and more manageable.

Social Skills and Emotional Regulation

Another area where occupational therapy shines is in improving social interactions, which can often be difficult for people with ADHD. Studies have shown that both children and adults with ADHD frequently experience challenges in forming and maintaining relationships. For example, they might have trouble regulating emotions, which can lead to impulsive reactions, mood swings, or difficulties in resolving conflicts.

Occupational therapists can guide individuals in building social skills through structured activities or role-playing exercises that focus on managing interpersonal situations. This can involve practicing how to handle a disagreement at work or teaching strategies for improving communication in personal relationships. By focusing on these skills, OT helps people with ADHD to better navigate social situations and feel more confident in their interactions with others.

Developing Stress Management Techniques

Living with ADHD can be stressful, and this stress often exacerbates the symptoms. Occupational therapists teach clients how to manage their stress more effectively through planning, scheduling, and relaxation techniques. Learning how to plan the day in a structured, proactive way can reduce the feeling of constantly reacting to crises, a common experience for those with ADHD. By developing a routine, people with ADHD can operate more calmly and avoid the overwhelming sense of chaos that can come from poor planning.

Occupational therapy also emphasizes relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, to help clients manage the stress that accompanies ADHD. Scheduled breaks throughout the day, particularly if they involve physical movement, can help release restless energy and improve focus.

Sensory Regulation and ADHD

Many people with ADHD experience sensory processing challenges, which means that they may either over- or under-react to sensory input, such as loud noises, bright lights, or even the textures of clothing. This can affect their ability to focus or stay calm in certain environments. Occupational therapists help individuals monitor and regulate sensory stimulation by creating what’s known as a “sensory diet,” a plan that incorporates the right amount of sensory input to keep the person alert, focused, and comfortable.

For example, an individual who is hypersensitive to noise might benefit from wearing noise-canceling headphones at work, while someone who needs more sensory input might be encouraged to take regular movement breaks to stay alert. By addressing these sensory needs, OT helps people with ADHD maintain a more balanced and productive state throughout the day.

Promoting Self-Efficacy and Independence

At its core, occupational therapy is about empowering individuals to take control of their lives and feel capable of achieving their goals. For people with ADHD, this often involves building up self-efficacy, or the belief in their own ability to succeed in specific situations. OT helps clients identify small, manageable steps toward their goals and provides support as they gradually build the skills they need to succeed.

Whether it’s learning how to organize their time better, improving social interactions, or finding effective ways to manage stress, the ultimate aim of occupational therapy is to help individuals with ADHD live fuller, more independent lives. Through collaboration with the therapist, people with ADHD can develop strategies that are tailored to their unique needs, allowing them to navigate life with more confidence and less frustration.

Conclusion

Occupational therapy offers a holistic, practical approach to helping people with ADHD manage their daily challenges. Unlike treatments that focus solely on symptom reduction, OT empowers individuals to engage meaningfully in the activities that matter most to them. By addressing key areas like organization, time management, social skills, and stress regulation, occupational therapy helps people with ADHD improve their functioning in ways that are sustainable and relevant to their everyday lives.

Ultimately, OT provides the tools and support needed to navigate life’s challenges, offering real, tangible improvements in daily functioning. For adults with ADHD, this can mean the difference between simply managing symptoms and truly thriving.

Well, that’s about it for my rambling today. Thanks for coming and spending some time with me. If you like my rambling then click on that like button. It really does help! Until we talk again, you take care of yourselves!

References and Further Reading

1. Adamou M, Asherson P, Arif M, Buckenham L, Cubbin S, Dancza K, Gorman K, Gudjonsson G, Gutman S, Kustow J, Mabbott K, May-Benson T, Muller-Sedgwick U, Pell E, Pitts M, Rastrick S, Sedgwick J, Smith K, Taylor C, Thompson L, van Rensburg K, Young S. Recommendations for occupational therapy interventions for adults with ADHD: a consensus statement from the UK adult ADHD network. BMC Psychiatry. 2021 Feb 4;21(1):72. doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03070-z. PMID: 33541313; PMCID: PMC7863422.
2. Lindvall MA, Holmqvist KL, Svedell LA, Philipson A, Cao Y, Msghina M. START – physical exercise and person-centred cognitive skills training as treatment for adult ADHD: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry. 2023 Sep 25;23(1):697. doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-05181-1. PMID: 37749523; PMCID: PMC10521407.
3. Velõ S, Keresztény Á, Ferenczi-Dallos G, Balázs J. Long-Term Effects of Multimodal Treatment on Psychopathology and Health-Related Quality of Life of Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Front Psychol. 2019 Sep 24;10:2037. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02037. PMID: 31607973; PMCID: PMC6769122.