OT and ADHD

Earn 1 hour of continuing education by joining OT Potential after taking this course.

Listen: Apple | Spotify | YouTube

The number of children diagnosed with ADHD has been steadily increasing. Now it is estimated that 1/10 children will be diagnosed with ADHD at some point.

Even though about half of these children receive some type of behavioral treatment, there has been a lack of studies around OT-specific support for ADHDer children. 

In this one hour OT CEU course, we will look at a study of an OT program for ADHD that features: 

• Children setting their own goals
• A focus on daily time management
• Time-assisted devices  

This program led to significant improvement in performance and satisfaction! 

After we review the article, we’re excited to discuss this research with ADHDer and pediatric OT, Bryden Carlson-Giving, OTD, OTR/L. He and I will discuss the practical implications of this research for OTs. 

Primary Journal Article Explored

When you log in, be sure to check out the OT Potential Club’s written breakdown of the following research article. Then, share your questions and thoughts with fellow practitioners.

• Occupational performance goals and outcomes of time-related interventions for children with ADHD

Supporting Research and Journal Articles

• The role of occupational therapy with children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A Canadian National Survey
• Recommendations for occupational therapy interventions for adults with ADHD: A consensus statement from the UK adult ADHD network

Learning Objectives

• You will be able to recognize neurodiversity affirming assessment to utilize with ADHDer children. 
• You will be able to identify strengths-based approaches you can utilize in treatment.

OT and ADHD Resources

Neurodiversity-Affirming Assessments

• Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)
• Child Occupational Self Assessment (COSA)
• Dynamic Assessment of Social Emotional Learning (DASEL)
• Heart Drawing Tool 
• Pediatric Interest Profiles (PIP)
• Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System (PEGS)
• Self Perception Profile for Children (SPPC)
• Sensory Profile™ 2
• Visual Activity Sort
• Young Child and Participation and Environment Measure (YC-PEM)

Websites Related to OT and ADHD

• Autism Level Up!
• OTs for Neurodiversity
• ADDitude Magazine
• Neurodivergent Nexus

Agenda

Intro (5 minutes)

Breakdown and analysis of journal article (5 minutes)

• 00:02:51 ADHD and time perception
• 00:03:57 Time perception and daily time management
• 00:04:27 Current treatments for ADHD
• 00:05:00 What’s missing from the current research?
• 00:05:44 Intent of this research
• 00:06:03 Research methods
• 00:08:14 Research Results
• 00:09:00 Implications for OT practice

Discussion on practical implications for OTs (with Bryden Carlson-Giving) (50 minutes)

• 00:12:24 Why Bryden prefers identity-first language
• 00:17:09 “Vaster” and strengths related to ADHD
• 00:24:24 Article impressions
• 00:29:36 Explaining ADHD to an adult
• 00:33:24 Explaining ADHD to a child
• 00:35:26 OT assessments and ADHD
• 00:40:07 Strengths-based OT supports and treatments
• 00:45:47 ADHD resources
• 00:48:39 Future vision of OTs supporting neurodivergent individuals
• 00:56:36 Final thoughts

Target Audience/Educational Level

Our target audience is occupational therapy practitioners who are looking to learn about OT for ADHD.  The educational level is introductory.

Financial and Non-financial Disclosures

It is the policy of OT Potential to disclose any financial and non-financial interest the provider or instructor may have in a product or service mentioned during an activity. This is to ensure that the audience is made aware of any bias of the speaker.

We here at OT Potential have no financial stake in this topic.  Our guest, Bryden Carlson-Giving, also has no financial disclosures.

Speakers

Bryden Carlson-Giving, OTD, OTR/L

Bryden Carlson-Giving is a neurodivergent and disabled occupational therapy practitioner with experience in pediatric outpatient, inpatient, and school-based settings. He is passionate about community-defined evidence practice, mental health promotion, trauma-informed care, and incorporating strengths-based approaches to promote a positive self-identity for his students. Read full bio.

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L

Sarah’s passion is helping fellow OT practitioners translate evidence into daily practice. Sarah earned her BA in religion from St. Olaf College, then earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University in 2011.

Since then, she’s worked in numerous facilities, including a critical access hospital, an acute trauma hospital, and a state inpatient psychiatric hospital. Sarah is the founder/owner of OT Potential. Read more about OT Potential here.

This course was designed to meet your continuing education requirements

We designed the courses in the Club to meet the requirements for “online” and “independent/self-study” courses. To verify the requirements from your specific state (within the US), check out our post, OT Continuing Education Requirements. If you are outside of the United States and have questions, please contact us.

We are proud to be an AOTA Approved Provider and to meet the requirements for your NBCOT renewal.

---

See our other OT courses!