NDIS & ADHD: Can You Access Physiotherapy and OT Support?

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental conditions in Australia, affecting approximately one in 20 Australians across all age groups. Despite this, many individuals with ADHD and their families remain unsure about whether ADHD qualifies for NDIS support and, if it does, what types of therapy are available under the scheme. 

This guide from People First Therapy cuts through the confusion. We explain when ADHD qualifies for NDIS funding, how physiotherapy and occupational therapy support people with ADHD in practical, everyday ways, and what you can expect from our services as a registered NDIS provider in Western Sydney. 

Does ADHD Qualify for NDIS Funding? 

The NDIS funds supports for Australians whose disability is permanent and substantially impacts their ability to participate in everyday life. ADHD is not automatically an NDIS-eligible condition because not all presentations of ADHD result in the level of functional impairment the scheme requires. 

That said, ADHD can qualify for NDIS support in the following circumstances. 

  • The ADHD is severe and causes substantial, permanent impairment across multiple life areas including self-care, communication, social participation, learning, or daily living. 

  • The ADHD co-exists with another condition that meets NDIS eligibility criteria, such as autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, developmental coordination disorder, or significant anxiety or mood disorders. 

  • The cumulative functional impact of ADHD and co-occurring conditions is permanent and unlikely to be resolved through treatment alone. 

Importantly, the NDIS assesses functional impairment, not diagnosis alone. A person can have a diagnosis of ADHD and not qualify, while another person with the same diagnosis but greater functional impact may receive substantial support. Evidence from treating professionals, including OT functional assessments and physiotherapy reports, plays a key role in demonstrating that impact. 

If you are unsure whether you or your child qualifies, speaking with a registered NDIS provider or your treating GP is a sensible starting point. 

How ADHD Affects Daily Functioning

To understand how therapy supports people with ADHD, it helps to appreciate just how broadly the condition affects everyday life. ADHD is commonly misunderstood as simply a difficulty with concentration. In reality, it affects multiple systems. 

  • Executive function: Difficulty planning, organising, initiating, and completing tasks affects performance at school, work, and home. 

  • Emotional regulation: Impulsivity, frustration intolerance, and difficulty managing emotional responses can affect relationships and wellbeing. 

  • Motor coordination: Many children and adults with ADHD have co-occurring developmental coordination disorder, which affects fine and gross motor skills. 

  • Sensory processing: Heightened sensitivity to noise, touch, light, or texture can make environments overwhelming and disrupt concentration. 

  • Daily living skills: Maintaining routines for personal care, household management, and time keeping can be genuinely difficult. 

  • Social participation: Reading social cues, sustaining conversations, and engaging in structured group settings are frequently challenging. 

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy address a number of these functional challenges directly through targeted, evidence-based interventions. 

How Occupational Therapy Supports People with ADHD 

Occupational therapy is often the cornerstone of NDIS-funded support for people with ADHD. At People First Therapy, our OTs take a holistic approach, looking at the whole person and the environments in which they need to function. 

Functional Capacity Assessments 

OTs conduct structured assessments to understand the specific ways in which ADHD is affecting daily function. These assessments are essential for NDIS planning and can identify support needs across self-care, domestic tasks, community participation, and employment. 

Daily Living Skills Development 

Our OTs work with clients to develop practical strategies and routines for tasks that feel overwhelming or difficult to manage consistently. This might include structured morning routines, systems for managing time, strategies for reducing sensory overload, or tools to support task initiation. 

Assistive Technology Assessment 

For some individuals, assistive technology such as organisational apps, sensory tools, adaptive equipment, or communication aids can significantly improve independence and daily functioning. Our OTs assess needs and support NDIS applications for appropriate technology. 

Home and School Environment Modifications 

The physical environment makes a considerable difference for people with ADHD. OTs can recommend adjustments to reduce sensory overload, improve focus, and support safer, more independent movement through home and school spaces. 

Sensory Processing Support 

Many individuals with ADHD have sensory processing differences that affect their ability to engage with their environment. Our OTs develop sensory strategies to help clients self-regulate, which in turn supports attention, behaviour, and participation. 

How Physiotherapy Supports People with ADHD

The connection between physiotherapy and ADHD is less well known but equally important, particularly for individuals with co-occurring motor difficulties. 

Motor Coordination and Developmental Coordination Disorder

Research consistently shows that a significant proportion of children and adults with ADHD also have developmental coordination disorder. This affects the ability to learn and perform motor tasks, from handwriting and catching a ball to riding a bike or navigating stairs safely. Physiotherapy uses targeted motor skill programs to build coordination, body awareness, and movement confidence. 

Gross Motor Skills Development

Children with ADHD often show delays in gross motor milestones and may avoid physical activities because movement feels effortful or embarrassing. Our physiotherapists design programs that build gross motor skills in engaging, structured ways, supporting participation in sport, school PE, and play. 

Physical Activity for Symptom Management

There is strong evidence that regular aerobic exercise reduces the core symptoms of ADHD, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Physiotherapy can help establish safe, sustainable physical activity habits and design activity programs appropriate to the individual's age, ability, and interests. 

Hydrotherapy

People First Therapy offers hydrotherapy sessions at local pools across Western Sydney. The sensory properties of water, combined with structured movement in a low-distraction environment, can be particularly beneficial for individuals with ADHD and sensory processing differences. 

NDIS Report Writing for ADHD

Accessing NDIS funding requires thorough, evidence-based reporting that clearly demonstrates functional impairment. People First Therapy provides NDIS report writing services, including detailed functional capacity assessments by our OTs and progress reports from our physiotherapists. 

Our reports are written to clearly communicate the functional impact of ADHD and any co-occurring conditions, supporting your case for appropriate funding during planning meetings and plan reviews. 

How to Access Our NDIS Services

People First Therapy is a registered NDIS provider offering physiotherapy and occupational therapy services to participants who are NDIA managed, plan managed, or self-managed. We deliver mobile services directly to your home, school, or community location across Western Sydney and Southwest Sydney, including Parramatta, Liverpool, and Penrith. 

To make a referral or enquire about NDIS services for yourself or a family member with ADHD, contact us. Our team is happy to guide you through the process from initial enquiry to ongoing support. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you get NDIS funding just for ADHD?

ADHD alone does not automatically qualify for NDIS funding. The scheme requires evidence of permanent, substantial functional impairment. However, many people with ADHD do qualify, particularly when ADHD co-occurs with other conditions such as autism, intellectual disability, or developmental coordination disorder, or when the ADHD itself causes significant, permanent impacts across multiple life areas. 

2. What is the difference between physiotherapy and OT for someone with ADHD?

Occupational therapy focuses on daily functioning, including self-care routines, organisation, sensory processing, and participation in work, school, and community life. Physiotherapy addresses physical movement, motor coordination, gross motor skills, and physical activity. Many NDIS participants with ADHD benefit from both services working together. 

3. How does an OT functional capacity assessment work? 

A functional capacity assessment is a structured evaluation conducted by an occupational therapist. It looks at how your condition affects your ability to manage daily tasks across multiple life areas. The assessment typically involves interviews, standardised assessments, and observation, and results in a detailed report that informs NDIS planning. 

4. Does People First Therapy work with children with ADHD? 

Yes. Our physiotherapists and occupational therapists work with children and adults with ADHD. For children, programs often focus on motor development, sensory processing, daily living skills, and building participation in school and play activities. We deliver services in the home, school, or community setting as appropriate. 

5. What areas does People First Therapy service for NDIS clients?

People First Therapy provides mobile NDIS physiotherapy and occupational therapy services throughout Western Sydney and Southwest Sydney, including Parramatta, Liverpool, Penrith, and surrounding areas. We come directly to your preferred location, whether that is your home, school, or another community setting.