New research is clear:
Sensory integration differences are real for people with ADHD.
And as occupational therapists, we cannot overlook this.
The 2025 meta-analysis confirms what many of us already know through practice: sensory processing challenges significantly affect participation, wellbeing, and regulation in ADHD. These are not just behavioural quirks — they’re neurobiological realities.
The 2021 Adamou et al. consensus statement also called this out: OT must be central in supporting adults with ADHD, especially in navigating everyday life through sensory-informed approaches.
So what now?
Let’s take action as a profession:
• Embed sensory integration knowledge into our ADHD assessments and interventions
• Champion OT’s role in mental health services across the lifespan
• Share case examples, tools, and outcomes — let’s build the practice-based evidence
• Advocate for inclusion of OT in ADHD pathways — particularly where sensory needs are ignored
• And do more research — our clinical insights matter, but we need to show the world what OT can do through formal studies, audits, and publications
If you’re already doing this work, share it.
If you want to learn more, ask.
If your team is still unsure, let’s equip them together.
The evidence is here. Let’s rise to meet it — in practice, in policy, and in research.
#MH4OT#OccupationalTherapy#ADHD#SensoryProcessing#MentalHealthOT#Neurodiversity#ayressensoryintegration