Interventions Overview

Neurodiversity 101
Written By Mira K. Cohen

Interventions Overview

Your team of specialists is there to help you meet your goals. There are lots of options out there, and you have a right to know what they are and have access to the right ones for you. Many conditions benefit from a combination of these five areas:

  • Medical treatments

  • Formal and informal social/emotional support

  • Formal and informal support at work and school

  • Formal and informal life skills training and strategies

  • Attending to lifestyle factors

Here is a summary of common evidence-based options for teenagers and adults in all those areas. Everyone has different needs, so just because a treatment isn’t listed for something you were diagnosed with doesn’t mean that it’s not an option.

Medical

  • Prescription Medication - ADHD, ASD, All Anxiety Disorders, Depression

  • Nutritional Supplements - ADHD, ASD, Anxiety Disorders, Depression

  • Diet Modification - ADHD, ASD, Most Anxiety Disorders, Depression

  • Acupuncture - Most Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Limited Evidence for ADHD

  • Acupressure - Anxiety, Depression

Social and Emotional

School and Work Support

  • Career Guidance  - ADHD, ASD, All Learning Disabilities

  • Work and School Accommodations - ADHD, ASD, All Learning Disabilities, All Anxiety Disorders, Depression

Life Skills

  • Physical Therapy - ASD

  • Occupational Therapy - NVLD, ASD, ADHD, Dysgraphia

  • Executive Functioning/ADHD Coaching - ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, NVLD

  • Handwriting and Reading Interventions - NVLD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia

  • Speech and Language Therapy - ASD, ADHD

  • Life Hacks (School/Work, General Adulting) - Everyone can benefit

  • Self-Advocacy - Everyone can benefit

Lifestyle (Everyone Can Benefit)

References: Overview of Options for Different Conditions

  1. Nathan, P. E., & Gorman, J. M. (Eds.). (2015). Summary of Treatments that Work. A guide to treatments that work. Oxford University Press, Incorporated.

  2. Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). (n.d). Treatment for ADHD in Women and Girls. https://chadd.org/for-adults/women-and-girls-treatment-for-adhd-in-women-and-girls/

  3. CDC. (n.d). Treatment and Intervention Services for Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/treatment.html

  4. Frye, D. (2021, March 5). What Is Dyslexia? Symptoms, Causes, Treatments. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/what-is-dyslexia-symptom-overview-and-diagnosis-tips/

  5. Frye, D. (2020, August 3). What Is Dyscalculia? Math Learning Disability Overview. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/what-is-dyscalculia-overview-and-symptom-breakdown/

  6. Frye, D. (2024, July 10). What Is Dysgraphia? ADDiTude. https://www.additudemag.com/what-is-dysgraphia-understanding-common-symptoms/

  7. Hardman, M.L, Drew, C.J, & Egan, M.W. (2016b). Chapter 11: Autism Spectrum Disorders. In Human Exceptionality: School, Community, and Family (12th.ed., pp. 262-291). Cengage Learning.

  8. Hyman, S.L., Levy, S.E., Myers, S.M., & AAP Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. (2020). Identification, evaluation, and management of children with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics, 145(1), e20193447.

  9. The NVLD Project. (n.d.). Interventions That Can Help Children/Students with NVLD. https://nvld.org/interventions-to-help-children-with-nvld/

  10. Zylowska, L. (2024, June 11). What Is Integrative Medicine for ADHD? A Holistic Health & Wellness Guide. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/integrative-medicine-adhd-holistic-health-wellness-guide/

References: Social and Emotional Options

  1. Crowley, M.J., Nicholls, S.S., McCarthy, D., Greatorex, K., Wu, J., & Mayes, L.C. (2018). Innovations in practice: group mindfulness for adolescent anxiety – results of an open trial. Child Adolesc Ment Health, 23(2), 130-133. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12214

  2. Gordon, S. (2023, December 13). Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): Uses and Benefits. Health. https://www.health.com/emotional-freedom-technique-8399985

  3. van de Weijer-Bergsma, E., Formsma, A.R., de Bruin, E.I., et al. (2012). The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Behavioral Problems and Attentional Functioning in Adolescents with ADHD. J Child Fam Stud, 21(5), 775–787. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-011-9531-7

  4. Moran, K. (2013). Research review: CBT for anxiety in children with ASD: RCT. Science in Autism Treatment, 10(1), 21

References: Lifestyle Options

  1. American Heart Association. (2021). American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity Infographic. Fitness Basics. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-infographic

  2. Broadbent, E. (2022, 15). Never Underestimate the Healing Power of Nature Therapy. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/healing-power-nature-therapy-adhd/

  3. Converse, A. K., Barrett, B. P., Chewning, B. A., & Wayne, P. M. (2020). Tai Chi training for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A feasibility trial in college students. Complementary therapies in medicine, 53, 102538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102538

  4. Das, A. (n.d.). Yoga as Therapy: How Yoga Can Benefit Children with ADHD and Autism. Sri Sri School of Yoga. https://srisrischoolofyoga.org/na/blog/yoga-as-therapy-how-yoga-can-benefit-children-with-adhd-and-autism/

  5. Melillo, Richard. (2019). Healthy Body, Healthy Mind [PowerPoint Slides]. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science Blackboard. 

  6. Sánchez-López, J., T. Fernández, J. Silva-Pereyra, and J.A. Martínez Mesa. 2013. Differences between judo, taekwondo and kung-fu athletes in sustained attention and impulse control. Psychology 4(7):607-612.

  7. Sarabzadeh, M., Azari, B. B., & Helalizadeh, M. (2019). The effect of six weeks of Tai Chi Chuan training on the motor skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 23(2), 284–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.01.007

  8. Salge Blake, J., Munoz, K.D., & Volpe, S. (2020). Nutrition: From Science to You (4th ed.). Pearson. 

  9. Stiles, K. (2021, November 15). The Importance of Connection. PsychCentral. https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-importance-of-connection

References: Life Skills Options

  1. Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). (n.d.). Lifestyle Supports for Women with ADHD. https://chadd.org/for-adults/lifestyle-supports-for-women-with-adhd/

  2. McCormick, S.G. (2024, August 1). Executive functioning coaching: The definitive guide (2023). EF Specialists. https://www.efspecialists.com/post/executive-function-coaching-the-definitive-guide

  3. Seladi-Schulman, J. Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: What to Know. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/occupational-therapy-vs-physical-therapy#about-occupational-therapy

  4. Sippl, A. (2023, October 31). The Ultimate Guide to Executive Functioning Coaching. Life Skills Advocate Blog. https://lifeskillsadvocate.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-executive-function-coaching/

References: Medical Options

  1. Frye, D. (2020, April 4). Vitamins and Supplements for ADHD. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/treatment/vitamins-and-supplements/

  2. Khatri, M. (2023, April 9). What to Know About Vitamins and Mental Health. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/what-to-know-about-vitamins-and-mental-health

  3. Knox, C. (n.d.). Women, Hormones, and Neurodiversity: What Do We Know? See Her Thrive. https://seeherthrive.com/news/women-hormones-and-neurodiversity-what-do-we-know/

  4. Moller, R. (2023, October 10). Best Supplements and Vitamins for Autism. Above & Beyond Therapy. https://www.abtaba.com/blog/supplements-vitamins-for-autism

  5. Naidodo, Uma. (2020). This is Your Brain on Food. Little, Brown Spark.

  6. National Institute of Health and Human Services: Child Health and Human Development. Medication Treatment for Autism. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism/conditioninfo/treatments/medication-treatment

  7. Newmark, S. (2020, February 28). 10 Supplements and Vitamins for ADHD Symptom Control. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/vitamins-minerals-adhd-treatment-plan/

  8. Pedersen, T. (2023, July 11). Acupuncture for ADHD? Is it Effective? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/acupuncture-for-adhd

  9. Welch, A. (2023, August 10). The Benefits of Acupressure: A Comprehensive Guide. Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/integrative-health/acupressure-therapy/guide/

  10. Wong, C. (2023, December 9). Benefits of Acupuncture and How it Works. Verywell. https://www.verywellhealth.com/acupuncture-health-uses-88407

Mira K. Cohen https://www.bybcoaching.net
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