What is ADHD?

ADHD is typically described through patterns of:

• Inattention (e.g., difficulty sustaining focus, losing items, forgetting instructions)

• Hyperactivity (e.g., constant movement, restlessness)

• Impulsivity (e.g., acting before thinking, interrupting, difficulty waiting)

ADHD can look different across children and across settings. Many children with ADHD also experience co-occurring differences (e.g., learning, language, anxiety, sleep, sensory processing, or coordination). Support is most effective when it is individualised and aligned with the child’s real-world demands.

How ADHD Can Affect Everyday Function

Children with ADHD may experience challenges with:

School Participation

• Staying on task and completing work

• Following multi-step instructions

• Managing transitions and routines

• Organising belongings and time
  
  

Social Participation

• Turn-taking and conversational timing

• Managing frustration and “big emotions”

• Reading social cues (varies by child)

• Peer relationships
  
  

Daily Routines at Home

• Morning/evening routines (getting ready, homework, bedtime)

• Self-care tasks (often impacted by attention, sequencing, and motivation)

• Emotional regulation and family stress
  
  

Behaviour Support and Scope Notes

Some families ask about “behaviour management.” At Palms, allied health can support regulation, routines, and functional strategies that reduce overwhelm and improve participation.

If a child requires formal behaviour support (e.g., restrictive practices, behaviour support plan, intensive behavioural intervention), we can recommend appropriate referral pathways and work collaboratively (with consent).

Supporting Families

We include parents and caregivers because carryover is where progress happens. Support may include:

• Home strategies that fit your real routine (not “perfect-world” plans)

• Simple systems for organisation and transitions

• Guidance for school collaboration (with consent)

• Regular reviews to adjust strategies as the child’s needs change

How Palms Can Help

We don’t “treat ADHD” as a diagnosis—we support the functional impacts that may come with ADHD so a child can participate more successfully and confidently.

Occupational Therapy for ADHD

What OT can support

Our Occupational Therapists can help with practical strategies for:

• Executive functioning (planning, organising, starting/finishing tasks)

• Attention supports (environment set-up, routines, visual systems)

• Emotional regulation (coaching, coping tools, co-regulation strategies)

• Sensory preferences and regulation (not every child with ADHD has sensory needs, but many do)

• Fine motor and classroom skills (handwriting foundations, posture, tool use)

• Daily living skills (getting ready routines, independence tasks)
  
  

Home and school strategies (with consent)

Where appropriate, OT can support families to implement tools such as:

• Visual schedules and checklists

• Transition supports and timers

• “First/Then” and task chunking

• Organised workstations and movement breaks

Speech Pathology for ADHD

Some children with ADHD benefit from speech pathology when attention and executive functioning affect communication. Our Speech Pathologists can support:

• Following instructions and processing classroom language

• Organising ideas into clear spoken messages (storytelling, explanations)

• Pragmatic/social communication goals (turn-taking, topic maintenance, repair strategies)

• Language foundations where there are co-occurring language difficulties

• Literacy-related skills when clinically indicated (e.g., phonological awareness as part of speech/language profile)
  
  

Physiotherapy for ADHD

Some children with ADHD also experience movement and coordination differences, which may affect participation in sport, play, and confidence. Our Physiotherapists can support:

• Balance and coordination

• Core strength, posture, and body awareness

• Motor planning and movement confidence

• Endurance and graded physical activity participation

• Functional goals (e.g., playground skills, sport readiness, bike skills)
  
  

Exercise Physiology for ADHD

Our Exercise Physiologists can support children and teens with:

• Structured exercise programs to build fitness and confidence

• Strength and cardiovascular endurance

• Movement routines that are achievable and motivating

• Strategies to channel energy into positive participation

Physical activity can be a helpful regulation tool for some children, but we keep goals realistic and tailored to the child’s interests and capacity.

Our Sensory Room and Kids Therapy Gym

Sensory Room

Our sensory room can be used (when clinically appropriate) to:

• Explore sensory preferences safely

• Support regulation strategies

• Practise functional participation skills (attention, transitions, tolerance of sensory input)
  
  

Kids Therapy Gym

Our kids gym allows therapists to work on:

• Gross motor skills (climbing, jumping, balance, coordination)

• Core strength and movement confidence

• Play-based therapy goals within an engaging environment
  
  

Early Intervention and Family-Centred Support

Early support can be helpful for building communication, play, regulation, daily living skills, and participation. That said, support is valuable at any age, and goals should be realistic, functional, and aligned with the child and family.

We prioritise:

• Practical strategies you can use at home

• Collaboration with educators and support teams (with consent)

• Consistent goal review and measurable progress tracking where appropriate
  
  

NDIS & Funding Support

We support self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants (and private clients). Therapy recommendations aim to inform support needs and planning, noting that NDIS funding decisions are made by the NDIA.

Our Mobile Therapy Services

Please visit these other websites for further information:

Here are clickable links to Australian ADHD resources:

ADHD Australia
Provides national advocacy, information, and resources for individuals with ADHD and their families, including support services and educational materials.

ADDults with ADHD
Focuses on supporting adults with ADHD through resources, workshops, and seminars, as well as connecting individuals with local support networks.

Raising Children: ADHD
Offers practical, research-based information about ADHD, including diagnosis, treatment, and strategies for supporting children with ADHD.

Lifeline: ADHD Support
Provides support, guidance, and resources for individuals with ADHD and their families, including links to further assistance and services.

ADHD WA
Based in Western Australia, this site offers resources, support groups, and educational programs for individuals of all ages with ADHD.

ADHD Foundation Australia
Provides resources and advocacy services for children and adults with ADHD, offering educational webinars, events, and support groups.

HealthyWA: ADHD
An official government resource offering information about ADHD, including symptoms, diagnosis, and management strategies.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Australia on Healthdirect
A trusted government resource with information about ADHD, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

These links provide valuable information and support for individuals with ADHD, their families, and professionals across Australia.

Important disclaimer: This webpage contains general information only and is not intended to be relied upon as personal clinical advice. While we aim to keep information accurate and up to date, it may not reflect the most current research or your individual circumstances. Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health does not accept liability for decisions made based on this information without an individualised assessment by an appropriately qualified health professional. If you have concerns, please contact us to book an assessment or speak with your GP/medical team.