Skills Training

Developing effective organizing and planning skills is an essential element of effective treatment of ADHD because these skills improve functioning. People without ADHD learn organization and planning skills naturally as they go through life. Because of cognitive differences, these skills do not come naturally to adults with ADHD, so they may have to be learned. Almost all adults with ADHD have some deficits in organizational skills. Clients with ADHD do not typically think through their problems systematically, prioritize, and make plans. Instead, they tend to react impulsively or avoid. The information in this chapter draws heavily on two manualized treatments to help people with ADHD manage their symptoms and improve their skills in managing everyday life.