Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a type of neurodivergence that often manifests in childhood but can affect children and adults.1 ADHD can cause inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity — all symptoms that create challenges in daily living.2 Over time, these struggles can eat away at someone’s mental health and self-esteem.3
When addressing these challenges, the key lies in teaching those with ADHD how to work with their ADHD symptoms rather than against them. With occupational therapy (OT) for ADHD, therapists assess an individual’s strengths and areas for growth and suggest strategies to support their development.4 OT for ADHD is a practice that requires an individualized treatment plan, as the strengths and challenges of each person can differ, as do the skills and tools they need to implement.4, 5
ADHD occupational therapy is a powerful tool for supporting ADHD management since it can help refine organizational skills, teach time management techniques, improve executive functions and support impulse control.6 With the help of occupational therapists and the skills they teach, ADHD can become more manageable.
What is Occupational Therapy for ADHD?
Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on improving patient lives. This form of therapy utilizes everyday activities, otherwise known as occupations, to promote well-being, health and the ability to participate in various activities of daily living (ADLs). By enhancing these skills, occupational therapy allows individuals to take care of themselves or their families, volunteer, work and go to school.5
The ultimate goal of occupational therapy for ADHD or other neurodiversity traits is to provide individuals with the skills and tools needed to tackle everyday activities, increasing their independence and quality of life.5
During occupational therapy for ADHD, therapists may: 5
- Offer recommendations for how to perform activities of daily living (such as dressing and bathing)
- Suggest adaptive equipment to make daily tasks easier
- Provide strategies for planning and following through on daily routines
- Teach techniques to aid memory, concentration and executive functioning
ADHD is one of many neurodiverse variations that can benefit from occupational therapy because of the therapy’s ability to address challenges with focus, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Through occupational therapy for ADHD, those impacted by these challenges can work with an OT to learn strategies to address them.4
ADHD can affect children and adults. ADHD occupational therapy can help each group.7 In children, OT for ADHD addresses developmental milestones, specifically ensuring that children meet their fine motor skills and self-regulation milestones.5, 8, 9 This allows the child to increase independence by dressing and feeding themselves. With self-regulation and social-emotional competence, children can thrive.5
When occupational therapists work with children, their techniques often revolve around play-based strategies, whereas adults may focus more on workplace and household management skills. Ultimately, the strategies learned through occupational therapy for ADHD emphasize the primary goals of the patient at the specific stage in their life.7
How Does OT Help with ADHD?
The goal of occupational therapy for ADHD is to work on increasing focus and attention, improving emotional regulation and social interactions and/or building organizational and time management skills.
The following are some strategies that occupational therapists may utilize to meet these goals:
Time Management Techniques
Having ADHD can make it hard to manage time in a way that supports project completion. This is because ADHD can make it harder for someone to finish tasks in the correct order, create and execute a plan with the appropriate amount of time or recognize when it’s time to speed up or slow down. As a result, those with ADHD commonly lose track of time and don’t finish projects on time, if they finish them at all.1
However, OT for ADHD can help improve time management skills in those with ADHD by teaching them how to create and follow through on their plans and providing tips for managing time, such as always having an analog clock on hand.10
Sensory Integration Therapy
Some children with ADHD may have a sensory processing disorder, which makes it hard for them to process sights, sounds and smells because of stimuli overwhelming their senses.11
Sensory integration therapy is a technique used for ADHD occupational therapy in which the occupational therapist identifies sensory sensitivities that exacerbate ADHD symptoms and then reorganizes the child’s sensory system. Techniques they may use include:12
- Rhythmic, repetitive movements, such as on a trampoline or swing
- Deep pressure, joint compression or body massage
Organization Skills
ADHD can hinder someone’s organizational skills, making it hard for them to anticipate what they’ll need, keep up with materials and separate a complex task into smaller, more manageable activities.2
Occupational therapy for ADHD can teach organization skills by showing how to break down an activity into smaller steps and skills, develop simple systems and create visual cues that help people follow through on their tasks step-by-step. This ability to help with organization focuses on breaking tasks into manageable steps, helping prevent them from feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin.13
Impulsivity
Those with ADHD may act impulsively and interrupt others, which can negatively affect their social interactions and academic outcomes.2 However, OT for ADHD can help to deduce why it is that those with ADHD face these challenges since it’s often a by-product of frustration, and then cultivate strategies to lessen these issues.
Finding the Right OT for ADHD
When it comes to locating a trained professional for ADHD occupational therapy, find an OT with experience in neurodevelopmental differences, as the skills and strategies needed by someone with ADHD differ from the needs of others.
Other tips for finding the best OT for ADHD include:
- Find an accredited OT.
- Observe your child with the OT, or consider how you feel while working with them.
- Ask for the therapist’s treatment goals.
- Reflect on whether the OT listens to you, as the patient or as the parent of a patient.
OTs often work closely with schools, workplaces and healthcare teams to ensure consistent support.6
What Types of Therapy are Best for ADHD?
Occupational therapy is just one therapy that can help those with ADHD. You may consider leveraging other types of therapies to ensure all ADHD challenges are considered.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a therapy that focuses on someone’s thoughts and feelings and follows how these negative thoughts create obstacles. Through this therapy, those with ADHD can learn to replace false beliefs, such as “no one thinks I’m any good” or “I messed up a few times, so I’ll always mess up,” with more clear, realistic thoughts.14
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can help children with ADHD change their behavior, self-esteem and self-control. In young children, parents receive training from the therapist to help their child better manage their ADHD. Parents better understand their children and then change problem actions, helping children manage their behaviors.15
Does Occupational Therapy Help With ADHD?
Occupational therapy for ADHD is a valuable tool for neurodiverse children and adults with ADHD because of its ability to help with common ADHD challenges such as maintaining focus, staying organized and improving daily life skills. To ensure those with ADHD maintain their well-being, accomplish their goals and increase or maintain independence, occupational therapy and ADHD often work hand in hand to give those with ADHD the confidence to accept their diagnosis and meet their goals.
Occupational therapists can make a difference in the lives of those with ADHD when equipped with the proper training and experience. If you’re interested in providing occupational therapy for ADHD and supporting those with ADHD, explore USAHS’ graduate occupational therapy programs, including our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees.
Sources
- “What is ADHD?,” American Psychiatric Association, 2025, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd.
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), February 2025, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd.
- Pedersen, A. B., et al. “Self-Esteem in Adults With ADHD Using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: A Systematic Review,” Journal of Attention Disorders, March 16, 2024: 28(7), 1124–1138. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547241237245
- Watson, S., “Occupational Therapy for Children With ADHD,” WebMD, February 25, 2024, https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/occupational-therapy-for-children-with-adhd. 5. What is occupational therapy? AOTA, 2023, https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot.
- “Can Occupational Therapy Help People Who Have ADHD?,” Healthline, 2025, https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/can-occupational-therapy-help-people-who-have-adhd#how-ot-helps-adhd.
- Occupational Therapy’s Role in Treating Individuals with ADHD, NYSOTA, 2024, https://www.nysota.org/news/655331/Occupational-Therapys-Role-in-Treating-Individuals-with-ADHD.htm.
- Who’s On Your Child’s Team? OTs Empower Students with ADHD, CHADD, August 28, 2023, https://chadd.org/attention-article/whos-on-your-childs-team/.
- Wood, V., “Fine Motor Milestones,” The OT Toolbox, June 13, 2022, https://www.theottoolbox.com/fine-motor-milestones/.
- Tuckman, A., “ADHD Minds Are Trapped in Now (& Other Time Management Truths),” ADDitude Magazine, May 22, 2024, https://www.additudemag.com/time-management-skills-adhd-brain.
- Fabio, R. A., Orsino, C., Lecciso, F., Levante, A., & Suriano, R. “Atypical sensory processing in adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A comparative study,” Research in Developmental Disabilities, March 2024: 146, 104674–104674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104674.
- Guardado, K. E., & Sergent, S. R. “Sensory Integration,” Nih.gov, StatPearls Publishing, July 31, 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559155/
- “How Can Occupational Therapy Help Kids with ADHD?,” Occupational Therapy Helping Children, 2025, https://occupationaltherapy.com.au/how-can-occupational-therapy-help-kids-with-adhd/.
- “In brief: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),” NIH, June 2, 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279297/
- “Behavior Therapy First for Young Children with ADHD,” CDC, May 15, 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/articles/behavior-therapy-first-young-children.html.
