Managing ADHD symptoms

Research indicates that people diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood may require additional psychosocial support to assist them to come to terms with their diagnosis, and reframe their past [890]. The techniques outlined in Table 39 can help AOD workers manage clients with ADHD symptoms.

Table 39: Dos and don’ts of managing a client with symptoms of ADHD

Do:
	Reduce or remove distracting stimuli.
	Consider using visual aids to convey information.
	Assist the client plan activities and encourage the use of appropriate tools (e.g., smartphone, activity journal) to organise prompts, reminders, and important information.
	Encourage stress-reduction methods, such as progressive muscle relaxation.
	Encourage physical exercise.
	Involve family members and friends – educating them about the condition and treatment will provide long-term benefits.
	Offer to help the client engage with education courses or training, which can assist with attention training.
Don't:
	Get visibly upset or angry with the client.
	Confuse the client by conducting unstructured, unfocused sessions.
	Overwhelm the client by conducting lengthy meetings or verbal exchanges.

Adapted from Gournay [891], SAMHSA [102], and Zulauf [892].