ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a family of differences in nervous system regulation needs that can affect one’s ability to mentally focus. This difference is observable in the structural and chemical composition in the brains of those who share this pattern of differences.

It is important to remember that a difference is not necessarily a deficit or disability. Many accessibility rights advocates argue that the way communities have structured our physical and social environment creates the experience of disability, rather than an individual being limited in life or society. They argue that an inclusive society would seek out neurodiverse perspectives because those perspectives are of great benefit to the community.

People with ADHD share a pattern of:

Sensory	Specific sensory needs (increased or decreased simulation from desired stimuli like movement, touch, sights, sounds)
Hyperactivity	May or may not display “hyperactivity”, which is self-regulation of the nervous system through big movements, impact or deep pressure, or vestibular input (spinning, swinging, swaying)
Focus	Variable levels of mental focus and executive functioning (complex thinking) depending on how regulated the nervous system is
Thinking	May excel at finding connections in big, complex concepts, but be challenged by detailed or procedural concepts
Executive functioning	May struggle with memory, spatial orientation, transitioning attention, planning, organization
Emotion regulation	May experience rejection more acutely (rejection sensitivity dysphoria), may experience bigger emotions more acutely
Risk assessment	May differently assess whether an activity is risky

One hypothesis for a root cause of these experiences is a difference in the development of the brain in early childhood. All brains go through a process of “synaptic proliferation” (adding neurons to make many new connections) and then “synaptic pruning” (trimming out those neurons and connections that don’t match experience or aren’t useful). ADHD brains may undergo less pruning; this allows for making connections where other people don’t see them, but also demands cognitive resources.

Occupational Therapy Helps

Occupational therapy (OT) is customized to each person’s experience, needs, and life activities. In order to improve overall life performance, OT can help a patient:

• Understand the ADHD experience and utilize strengths as a superpower
• Develop skills, habits, and routines that regulate the nervous system and maximize life performance
• Structure the physical/social environment in a way that supports overall functioning
• Practice in real-life contexts
• Find others who share the ADHD experience
• Advocate for one’s self