ADHD and Autism Unmet Childhood Needs (Schema Therapy)

List is not limited to but includes..

ADHD Unmet Childhood Needs

1. Need for stimulation, novelty, spontaneity E.g.. New hobbies, work challenges, creative projects

2. Need for clear and direct instructions E.g. assignments have clear non ambiguous instruction

3. Need for healthy realistic boundaries E.g. compassionately being told “no” or that things are “too much”

4. Need for special interests E.g. uninterrupted 3 hour hyper fixation on my hobby

5. Need for flexibility at work E.g. to have headphones on while I work, for my working environment and schedule to be tailored to me

6. Need for multitasking/fidgeting/ frequent breaks during boring tasks E.g. I need to snack, play with my fidget toy, listen to a podcast while I do boring tasks and I need to get up move every 15 minutes

7. Need for uninterrupted flow states E.g. when I’m locked in, I need to allow myself to stay locked in

Autism Unmet Childhood Needs

1. Need for sensory regulation E.g. I need the lights to be dim, I need to eat my safe foods, I need the shower to be at this temperature, I need the weighted blanket while I sleep

2. Need for special interests E.g. I need to hyper fixate and do this hobby for 3 hours today

3. Need for routines and rituals, especially in neurotypical environments E.g. I need to take the same route to work whenever possible, I need to do my bedtime routine in the same order

4. Need for very direct non-ambiguous communication E.g. I need to be told exactly what you mean

5. Need to live by values/moral compass E.g. I need to be in an environmentally sustainable workplace because it aligns with my ethics.

And remember, it's always about balancing acceptance and change