Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with ADHD, or you suspect you may have this condition, you might be asking yourself which treatment is the best fit for you. Sometimes the amount of choice can be overwhelming, or it may be difficult to know where to start.
So why OT? Occupational therapists are specially trained in the neurobiology and psychology of the nervous system and the brain. OTs also focus on task analysis and applying strategies to modify the task to fit the person, or the behaviour to fit the task. What does that mean in real terms? If you are struggling with sleep, routines, cooking, cleaning, exercise and work-life balance, OTs work with their clients to develop habits and strategies to improve wellness and function in each of these areas. Some examples might include: creating a morning and evening routine, implementing sleep hygiene strategies, creating a weekly cleaning schedule, incorporating regular self-care and developing meal preparation habits. The specific strategies used depends on each person’s unique set of challenges and goals. It's important to know that OTs do not take a 'one size fits all' approach, and that creating individualized strategies is an important approach for ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD may encounter unique challenges in their daily lives, particularly with distraction, memory, emotional regulation, follow through, procrastination, social anxiety, money management, over-scheduling, and burnout. OTs focus on developing skills to support clients with gaining a sense of confidence and autonomy so that these challenges no longer act as barriers to living a well balanced and fulfilling life. The ultimate goal of the Occupational Therapist is to promote independence in everyday life, meaning that we want you to learn these skills well enough that you can use them independently.
Occupational therapy can act as a stand alone service, or is an effective complement to talk therapy. You do not need a referral to work and with OT, although we are happy to collaborate with medical and therapeutic team members. If you are interested in learning more about whether occupational therapy would be a good fit for you, please send us a message on our Contact page, or email us directly at erinspencerot@gmail.com. We offer services virtually to residents of Ontario and most other provinces, and in-person services for Toronto residents upon request.