You can know exactly what you need to do and still find it incredibly difficult to get started.
Planning, remembering, organising, switching between tasks, managing time and completing multi-step activities all rely on executive functioning.
These processes can work differently for neurodivergent adults, including autistic adults and adults with ADHD.
It can affect getting out of the house on time, remembering appointments, preparing meals, managing household tasks, starting paperwork, switching activities or knowing where to begin when several things need attention.
When these activities are difficult, the answer is rarely simply to “try harder”.
There may be too many steps. The environment may be distracting. The person may be exhausted. The routine may rely heavily on memory. The task may lack a clear starting point. Sensory or emotional regulation may also be affecting the cognitive capacity available.
Occupational Therapy can explore these factors and build practical supports around them, including simpler routines, visual planning, external reminders, reduced steps, environmental organisation, manageable stages, planning around energy and technology.
The aim is not to create a perfectly organised person. It is to create systems that work with the person’s brain rather than continually expecting the person to work against it.
Our Senior Occupational Therapist Nicola has extensive experience supporting adults with neurodivergent and intellectual differences. Appointments are available in person from our clinic in Hospital, Co. Limerick.
