At Sydney Kids OT, we believe that knowledge empowers parents to better support their children’s development. Recently, the team at Sydney Kids OT have been exploring the latest insights into ADHD, and we’d love to share these with you.
What is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can present in three different types:
- Inattentive type: Children may be easily distracted, have difficulty following instructions, and often forget everyday tasks such as dressing or brushing their teeth.
- Hyperactive/Impulsive type: Children may have high energy levels, fidget frequently, find it hard to wait their turn, or interrupt others.
- Combined type: Children experience a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms.
Each child with ADHD is unique, and understanding their individual profile helps us create tailored strategies for success.
What Does “Multimodal” Support Mean?
Current best practice recommends a multimodal approach—that is, combining both pharmacological (medication-based) and non-pharmacological (therapy-based) supports.
- Pharmacological treatment primarily aims to reduce core ADHD symptoms such as inattention or impulsivity.
- Non-pharmacological interventions focus on improving function and wellbeing. This includes cognitive-behavioural approaches, ADHD coaching, and—importantly—Occupational Therapy (OT).
At Sydney Kids OT, we play a key role in the non-pharmacological side, helping children build skills that lead to greater independence, confidence, and participation in everyday life.
Setting Goals That Matter
When working with children with ADHD, effective goals are:
- Child-centred: Meaningful to the child and connected to their interests or motivations.
- Family-informed: Developed in partnership with parents and caregivers.
- Functional: Focused on real-life outcomes, such as getting ready for school or completing homework.
- A “Just-Right Challenge”: Difficult enough to stretch the child, but achievable to promote confidence.
- Outcome-driven: Measurable and time-bound, so everyone can celebrate progress.
- Neuro-affirming: Respectful of each child’s neurodiversity and unique strengths.
How Occupational Therapy Supports Children with ADHD
- Supporting Regulation: Children with ADHD often experience big emotions or find it hard to manage impulses. OTs use evidence-based programs like The Zones of Regulation® and The Alert Program® to help children recognise and manage their feelings, body states, and behaviours in different situations.
- Building Independence: OT helps children strengthen their executive function skills—planning, organising, prioritising, and completing tasks. By introducing visuals, checklists, and environmental modifications, we teach practical strategies to help children independently manage daily routines like getting dressed, packing their school bag, or starting homework.
- Sensory Processing Support: Many children with ADHD also experience sensory processing differences, meaning they may be over or under responsive to sensory input. This can impact concentration, behaviour, and comfort in daily environments. Through OT, children learn to interpret and respond to sensory information more effectively. Parents and teachers are also given practical strategies to support regulation both at home and in the classroom.
- Children can also develop interoceptive awareness, the ability to understand internal body signals such as hunger, tiredness, or frustration, which helps improve emotional regulation and self-awareness.
- Education and Coaching: ADHD affects not just the child, but the entire support network around them. Our OTs provide education and coaching for parents, teachers, and caregivers—helping everyone understand how an “ADHD brain” works and how to respond in supportive, consistent ways. We also liaise with schools and other health professionals to ensure the child’s strategies are reinforced across environments.
The Takeaway
ADHD is not a reflection of effort or character, it’s a brain-based difference that requires understanding, structure, and support. With a multimodal approach and the right strategies, children with ADHD can flourish both at home and in school.
At Sydney Kids OT, our therapists are here to help families navigate this journey with evidence-based, neuro-affirming care that builds confidence and independence, one achievable goal at a time.