Description: ADHD presents differently across the lifespan as developmental expectations, environments, and daily demands change (this 1st sentence can be omitted). This live virtual interactive course explores ADHD presentations in children, adolescents, and adults through a neuro-affirming, functional cognitive lens, helping occupational therapy practitioners recognize, and interpret executive functioning patterns and their impact on everyday performance. Case examples and scenario's are interwoven throughout the course to provide opportunities for clinical analysis and application/ Grounded in lived experience, the course highlights variability in presentation and the often-invisible effort required to function within real-world contexts.
Within the context of clinical problems and cases, participants will analyze factors influencing performance, examine functional cognitive assessments, and identify functional cognitive breakdowns that provide a foundation for developing practical, individualized, occupation-centered interventions that are consistent with a Neuro-affirming approach. Practical considerations for documentation, carryover, and reducing deficit-based language are also addressed. see the course outline below.
Active participation is required for this course. Learning outcomes will be evaluated through written case analyses, interactive polling questions, reflective activities, and group discussion. Participants will apply course concepts to analyze ADHD-related executive functioning patterns, examine the interaction between cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors on occupational performance, and apply neuro-affirming principles to functional cognitive problems and error patterns. These activities will be used to assess attainment of the learning objectives listed below and participants' ability to integrate strengths-based, context-sensitive principles into clinical decision-making.
Audience: This course is designed for Occupational Therapists with at least 1 year of experience working with children, adolescents, and/or adults with ADHD. A previous course on executive functions is recommended (Suggested Course - https://multicontext.net/session1)
Content level is Intermediate.
Instructor: Chelsea Elkind MS OTR/L
Format and CEUs: This live virtual course delivered on Zoom is 3.25 contact hours and meets the criteria for 0.325 CEUs, intermediate level. A 15-minute break is not counted within contact hours. Course is scheduled for 3.5 hours.
Course times are New York or Eastern Time Zone (ET). Course start times in other US/Canada time zones are listed below. Time Converter can be used for other time zones (www.thetimezoneconverter.com). Zoom live translated captions for approximately 35 languages are available for this course.
Fall 2026
November 10th - 11:00 am - 2:30 pm ET (15-minute break included)
Course Fee: $110..00 USD
Course Outline
Welcome, Introductions & Course Overview (10 min)
Understanding ADHD Through a Lifespan & Neuro-Affirming Lens (30 min)
ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, Executive functioning patterns in ADHD, Masking, burnout, compensation, and identity formation, Functional cognitive impact across school, work, home, and relationships
Analyzing Functional Cognitive & Behavioral Patterns (35 min)
Case vignettes: child, teen, and adult presentations, Cognitive performance error breakdowns and ties to executive functioning, Emotional regulation and behavior, Functional implications across contexts, Introduction to self-monitoring, online awareness, and recognizing task demands in real time
Case examples and discussion
Break (15 min)
Developmental Progression of ADHD & Cognitive Patterns (30 min)
Differences in childhood, teen, and adult ADHD presentations, Shifting environmental demands and coping strategies, Functional impact of masking, chronic stress, and misdiagnosis, Evolution of self-awareness and executive functioning across the lifespan
Case scenarios and Group discussion - analysis and comparison of differences in executive functioning patterns
Functional Cognitive Assessment, Awareness & Interpretation within a Neuro-Affirming Framework (35 min)
A brief overview of formal and informal OT based assessment options, Functional cognitive observation and interpretation, Avoiding deficit-based language, Facilitating client insight into ADHD patterns and functional challenges, Supporting anticipation of task demands, barriers, and strategy needs.
Analsyis of Case scenario - Group discussion and real-time sharing.
Applying Functional Cognitive Intervention Strategies within a Neuro-Affirming Framework(40 min)
Strengths-based and occupation-centered intervention, Promoting “executive thinking” via metacognitive strategy-based methods, Self-modulation and awareness training in the lens of sensory regulation, Self-Efficacy: Understanding one’s strengths and areas of growth, Supporting clients in planning for cognitive load and task demands
Analysis of case scenarios and treatment implications - Group discussion and sharing
Documentation, Carryover & Paradigm Shift (15 min)
Neuro-affirming OT documentation practices, Reducing stigmatizing and deficit-based language, Carryover into daily routines and environments, Promoting systems-level change across schools, healthcare, and workplaces
Learning Outcomes - Participants will be able to
Analyze ADHD-specific executive functioning breakdowns across the lifespan by identifying at least three distinct cognitive or behavioral patterns from case examples and discussing their implications for daily functioning and occupational performance.
Apply functional cognitive performance-based assessment, and self-report within the framework of neuro-affirming principles for a given ADHD case scenario.
Analyze the discrepancies in performance across person factors, setting context, and activity demands through at least two ADHD case vignettes
Analyze at least two functional cognitive performance observations and generate 3 treatment implications within a neuro-affirming intervention framework.