Foundations in Occupational Therapy Practice for Adult ADHD: A Neurodiversity-Affirming and Skills-based Approach
This interactive workshop equips occupational therapists with foundational knowledge and practical tools, grounded in current research and inclusive models of care to address and implement effective strategies for the significant challenges adults with ADHD face across various life domains.
Program Overview
Occupational therapists are increasingly called upon to support adults with ADHD. As awareness of ADHD in adulthood grows, many individuals are now seeking diagnosis and support, often after years of misdiagnosis or misunderstanding. With adult ADHD affecting approximately 3–5% of the population, there's a critical need for neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based occupational therapy approaches tailored to this unique population.
Adults with ADHD commonly face barriers in occupational participation across areas such as education, work, social life, driving, finances, and home management, especially within neurotypical environments. Neurodiversity-affirming approaches that emphasize individuals’ strengths and adapt contexts to their needs can enhance participation, self-acceptance, and inclusion. Occupational therapists are well-placed to advocate for these changes, promoting social and occupational justice through tailored support strategies.
Grounded in current ADHD research and inclusive models of care, the workshop promotes a strengths-based, justice-oriented perspective on adult ADHD intervention.
This interactive online workshop will provide occupational therapists with the foundational knowledge and practical tools needed to work effectively with adults with ADHD.
What you will learn (key learning objectives)
By the end of the workshop you will be able to:
- Identify the limitations of the DSM-5-TR (APA, 2022) in the ADHD diagnostic process for adults and understand its relevance to occupational therapy
- Explore occupational therapy models and neurobiological theories of ADHD to support you to align your occupational therapy practice with adults with ADHD
- Describe the clinical presentation of ADHD in adults, including occupational performance challenges, co-occurring conditions, and individual strengths
- Apply neurodiversity-affirming principles to support occupational justice and inclusive practice
- Utilise relevant assessment strategies to uncover occupational participation barriers
- Implement foundational behavioural, contextual, and sensory-based strategies to support adults with ADHD in daily life
- Promote self-advocacy and contextual accommodations in education, employment, and home settings.
Workshop Format
- Pre-recorded lecture content (~2.5 hours) covering (which will be provided prior to the workshop):
- Adult ADHD diagnostic criteria and limitations
- Life transitions and occupational challenges
- Co-occurring conditions
- Introduction to neurodiversity-affirming practice
- Live online workshop (2 days):
- Day 1: Neurodiversity-affirming practice, occupational justice, assessment strategies, and case-based planning
- Day 2: Behavioural, sensory, and time-management strategies; self-advocacy; workplace and post-secondary accommodations; in-depth case discussions and Q&A
Interactive features of the workshop days include breakout room discussions and applied case study analysis, encouraging active participation and peer learning.
Why should you attend this workshop?
- Gain knowledge and strategies to respond to the growing need for adult ADHD support in occupational therapy
- Build competence in using neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based frameworks
- Gain confidence in applying practical, evidence-informed tools in your practice
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is designed for:
- Early career and intermediate-level occupational therapists working with or interested in working with adults with ADHD
- Experienced OTs seeking to transition their practice from paediatric to adult populations
- Occupational therapists supporting adults in educational, vocational, or community settings
This workshop will provide occupational therapists with a strong foundation in theory, assessment, and practical intervention strategies for supporting adults with ADHD.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
- Recorded webinar – 2.5 hours, provided prior to the workshop for you to view in your own time
- The 2-days of interactive online workshop are as follows:
DATE:
Day 1 – Friday 13th February 2026
Day 2 – Friday 20th February 2026
TIME (for both days):
9:30am – 4:30pm | ACT, VIC, TAS, NSW |
9:00am - 4:00pm | SA |
8:30am – 3:30pm | Qld |
8:00am – 3:00pm | NT |
6:30am – 2:30pm | WA |
Please log on 15 minutes prior to start time each day.
VENUE:
Online via Zoom. Login details will be sent to registered participants prior to the workshop.
CPD HOURS: Total CPD claimable workshop hours: 16.5 hours
A certificate of attendance will be issued upon completion of the full course. Please allow up to 48 hours for the certificate to appear in your CPD tracker.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The recorded webinar will be provided to you to view prior to the 2 days of live workshops. It is expected that you have watched the recording prior to attending the workshop.
To support access to this workshop - the workshop (except breakout rooms / interactive components) will be recorded so that if you can not commit to the full 2 days online, need to step away for a short period or wish to go back and rewatch you will have these options available to you. The recording and resources will be available in your OT Account for 90 days after the session. Live attendance however is encouraged.
REGISTRATION FEES
EARLYBIRD – Register on or before 21 December 2025
OTA Member: $825
New Graduate Member: $745
Non-member: $1085
STANDARD – Register on or after 22 December 2025
OTA Member: $895
New Graduate Member: $825
Non-member: $1,190
Members must be logged in with username and password to register at the member rate.
Not a member, you can join here and enjoy many benefits.
RSVPS close 2nd February 2026, 11:55pm AEDT
Note: All pricing is inclusive of GST
DISCLAIMER
All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, and changes.
All resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.
An OTA staff member or representative may be photographing this event for use in OTA publications and/or on OTA social media sites. If you do not wish to be photographed, or have your image published please make this known to the OTA representative at your course or contact OTA on 1300 682 878 or info@otaus.com.au
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and Conditions including OTA’s refund and cancellation policy are available here
CONTACT US
Please email info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878
Presented By
Adam Ly
Adam Ly, OT Reg. (Ont.) is a Registered Occupational Therapist practicing in London, Ontario, Canada. He specializes in helping adults who experience mild-moderate cognitive impairments, mental health, and return to work due to various conditions, including mild traumatic brain injury, mood disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and late-diagnosed autism. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor and clinical preceptor at Western University and an adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto in the schools of occupational therapy, a workshop instructor through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), and a mentor and OT-psychotherapy supervisor at CBI Health. He has several ADHD-related publications and conference presentations. He is a member of Neurodivergent Insights, a neurodiversity-affirming clinician support group. He has completed supervision at The Beck Institute in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. He is also a certified Multi-Context Approach Practitioner, a metacognitive cognitive rehabilitation approach by Dr. Joan Toglia.
Dr. Maryna Mammoliti
Dr. Maryna Mammoliti is a psychiatrist based in Canada, practicing comprehensive psychiatry with a focus on psychotherapy, physician health, ADHD, developmental trauma and PTSD, as well as ER psychiatry at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She completed her medical school training at University of Ottawa, Canada, followed by her 5-year Psychiatry residency at Western University in London, Ontario. She was a former Psychiatry Section Chair at Ontario Medical Association (OMA). She currently holds an Adjunct Professor position at Western University (London, Ontario) supervising residents and medical students for their psychiatry rotations. She focuses her practice on diagnosing and advocating for patients with ADHD (especially adults), developmental trauma, adult attachment and eating disorders as well as therapy and a comprehensive approach to each patient. She has co-presented on adult ADHD at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). She also has two co-published articles in the Canadian Journal of Physician Leadership (CJPL), one of which addresses ADHD in physicians.