You're a Speech-Language Pathologist...what does that have to do with ADHD?

There are many people out there calling themselves ADHD coaches, but oftentimes their background knowledge is limited to their own individual experience with ADHD, or a couple of tips or tricks anyone can find on the internet. We frequently see people in our clinic who say they were mostly offered moral support or told to use a calendar. They tend to report that they struggled to maintain use of the tools or strategies they were given, and this resulted in feelings of shame and hopelessness.

SLPs are powerful allies for adults living with ADHD, especially when it comes to navigating the everyday communication and cognitive demands of work, relationships, and life. We are communication experts, but our scope of practice also includes training the cognitive processes that support language—like memory, attention, planning, and organization. These are the executive function skills that are often impaired in individuals with ADHD. While the hyperactivity component of ADHD may subside as someone enters adulthood, issues with attention, executive functioning, memory, organization, and social communication often persist. These issues can significantly impact career success, time management, self-expression, and interpersonal interactions.

ADHD cannot be approached with a one-size-fits-all mentality. At Flatirons Cognitive Therapy, we are skilled in probing various areas of functioning to identify patterns and understand the nature of the challenges. We brainstorm with the individual to develop strategies and choose tools that are likely to work and are sustainable. Success hinges on truly understanding the "whole" person in front of you, helping this person understand how lifestyle impacts their attention, setting reasonable goals each session, and explaining the rationale for recommendations.

An SLP can help adults with ADHD:

• Stay focused for longer periods of time and manage distractibility

• Use tools like calendars, scripts, and visual supports to stay on track

• Break down complex tasks into manageable steps

• Create systems for organizing information

• Initiate tasks in a timely manner

• Increase productivity

• Process and retain spoken information

• Express complex ideas in structured, organized ways

• Stay on topic during conversation

• Use written and verbal language efficiently in the workplace

• Manage cognitive load during demanding tasks or conversations

• Improve note-taking, summarizing, and presentation skills

  
  

Whether the goal is to wean off stimulant medication, be more present, or improve job performance, we believe we can help. Call us today!