How Can Occupational Therapy Help Kids with ADHD?

By Trisha Crone | May 02, 2025 | 2 min read

If your child has ADHD, daily life can feel like a constant uphill climb—getting out the door, finishing homework, managing emotions. Occupational therapy (OT) can help make that climb a little easier.

As an OT (and a mom), I work with kids to build focus, manage big feelings, and develop routines that actually stick. OT isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s personalized to what your child needs most. Here are a few ways OT can support kids with ADHD:

• Sensory strategies: Tools like fidgets, movement breaks, or calming activities help kids regulate their bodies so their brains can focus.

• Executive functioning skills: We teach planning, organizing, and managing time—skills that don’t always come naturally with ADHD.

• Emotional regulation: Through play and practical tools, we help kids recognize feelings and respond in healthier ways.

• Routines and task breakdown: OT makes big tasks feel doable by breaking them into simple steps with visuals or structure.

• Social skills: Struggling with friends? OT can help kids understand social cues and build confidence.

  
  

The best part? OT includes you, the parent. We give you tools to support your child in everyday routines—without adding more to your plate.

If you think OT might be right for your child, reach out to a therapist who understands ADHD and believes in building kids up—not wearing them out.