OT & ADHD

Retrieved from: Emergepediatrictherapy 

Children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle in the classroom setting. Many children battling ADHD struggle with things such as sitting still or waiting his/her turn. They are constantly twisting around and chewing things. Things such as this can have a major effect on the student’s education. I learned from the podcast "Can Occupational Therapy help with ADHD?", that sensory processing and ADHD have a crossover in children. Some children that are struggling with sensory problems run from the sensory issues. In contrast, some children are constantly in motion. These children are basically working to regulate their sensory system to make the nervous system work more efficiently. These children are considered sensory seekers. 

Occupational Therapist’s hold an essential role in improving the life of a person with ADHD. An OT’s main focus is to help his/her clients perform occupations.  Social interaction, self-care skills, and play skills are all skills that are important for a child who is going to school. Intervention with an OT can help a child that struggles in these areas to better perform the activities that make up his/her every day routine. As stated earlier, a lot of children with ADHD also have a difficult time with sensory processing. In this instance, OT’s will intervene by putting the child on a sensory diet. When the child is being confined or is hard at work, a sensory diet allows the child to take a 2-3 minute movement break. This gives the child an opportunity to get the wiggles out and return back into participation mode. In the podcast, I learned that OT’s strive to find the optimal level of arousal when working with children that have ADHD.  Often times, the brain is working in neutral and has a low arousal point. This can make it difficult for a child to complete activities or corporate in school. On the other hand, sometimes the brain is activated to the extreme and is working too fast for the child to keep up properly. In both cases, OT’s do activities that get the brain in gear and to a motivation point that is “just right.” 

So when is enough, enough? OT’s use the “just right challenge” to find the perfect amount of intervention. While working with children, it is especially important not to baby the child but to find just enough challenge to where the child can be independent. 

 Dr. Lancaster says that it is most beneficial to intervene before the child is getting in trouble or having hyperactive behavior. The process of a child “letting things go” should be done proactively which helps to prevent future behavior issues.