In-Person Workshop
My name is Una Sheehy, and I am a Senior Occupational Therapist and associate with Way Ahead Therapy. Throughout my clinical practice, I have become increasingly interested neurodiversity, including the relationship between ADHD, eating and everyday wellbeing. My own interest in health had already led me to think about the many different factors that influence how we care for ourselves. Through my work with clients, I began to notice something more specific: eating difficulties were becoming a recurring theme.
For some people with ADHD, eating regularly, planning meals, shopping, preparing food or even recognising hunger can be surprisingly difficult. I noticed that these challenges were often connected to the very things we know can be affected by ADHD. This includes executive functioning, emotional regulation, sensory processing and interoception.
The more I explored this area, the more interested I became in understanding eating, not simply in terms of food, but as an everyday occupation. There is lots of discussion about ADHD and productivity, work, organisation and time management. However the everyday occupation of eating doesn’t always receive the same attention. Alongside these practical challenges, I became interested in how ADHD can influence body image and shape our relationship with food. This includes the ways that eating can become connected to emotions, self-esteem and self-care.
I was led to explore the topic further, including completing a Specialist Diploma in Eating Disorders, and considering how occupational therapy could contribute to the conversation. For me, an occupational therapy perspective is particularly useful because it allows us to look beyond what someone eats and ask a different question:
What is making eating difficult, and what could make it more manageable?
To delve into this subject in more detail, I am delighted to be presenting a workshop hosted by ADHD Ireland in Cork. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and creating space for a conversation around an aspect of ADHD that can have a significant impact on everyday wellbeing, but isn’t always discussed.
Below are some questions and answers to help you decide whether this workshop might be for
you:
Why take an occupational therapy perspective?
Eating is an important everyday occupation, and it involves much more than simply choosing what to eat. Planning, shopping, preparing, remembering, recognising body signals and managing the sensory and emotional experience of eating can all present challenges. Occupational therapy looks at the interaction between the person, their environment and their everyday routines. Rather than focusing only on food, we can explore what is getting in the way and identify practical changes to make eating feel more achievable.
What can I expect from the workshop?
A practical and supportive session exploring how ADHD can influence our relationship with food
and eating. It will include realistic strategies that can make eating more manageable in everyday life.
What topics will we cover?
- ADHD and executive functioning
- Planning, shopping and preparing food
- Remembering to eat and creating routines
- Interoception, hunger and fullness
- Sensory processing and food preferences
- Emotional regulation and eating
- ADHD, body image and our relationship with food
- Practical strategies for creating sustainable eating routines
Who is it for?
The workshop is designed for adults with ADHD, whether formally diagnosed or self-identifying. It may also be helpful for family members, partners and professionals who would like to better understand the relationship between ADHD and eating.
Where and when?
Date: Thursday, 24th September 2026, from 7:30pm
Venue: ADHD Ireland, Cork Deaf Association, 5 MacCurtain Street, Cork
Doors open: 7:00pm
Workshop starts: 7:30pm
Ticket price: €10
If you would like more information about the workshop, please feel free to email me at
una@wayaheadtherapy.ie