Organizing for Neurodivergent Adults: A Brain-Based Approach

Over the years, I’ve noticed a clear pattern in the homes I support: about 95% of households I work with have at least one neurodivergent adult or child (and sometimes more!) — most often ADHD.

And that matters, because it changes how we think about organizing.

Decluttering and organizing are often framed as “just getting rid of stuff,” but in reality, they’re far more connected to how the brain processes information, makes decisions, and manages daily tasks. When executive functioning is challenged — whether earlier in life or later on — traditional organizing advice often misses the mark.

This is especially true for adults with ADHD or other forms of neurodiversity, where difficulty with decision-making, prioritization, and follow-through can make organizing feel exhausting or overwhelming.

Before becoming a personal home organizer, I spent over 17 years as a full-time elementary school teacher. While much of that work happened in the classroom, a significant part of my role was coaching and supporting parents — helping them understand how their child’s brain worked, how that showed up at home, and how to create routines, systems, and boundaries that were actually sustainable for their household.

What I learned very quickly is that many adults saw themselves in their children.

For people now in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, neurodiversity often went unrecognized when they were growing up. Many are only now learning that lifelong struggles with clutter, organization, time management, or letting go of belongings aren’t personal failings — they’re neurological differences tied to executive functioning.

Combined with over six years of hands-on experience as a personal home organizer and extensive professional development focused on neurodiversity, ADHD, and executive functioning, my background allows me to support neurodivergent adults with insight, compassion, and practical strategies.

This is especially important during life transitions, when organizing challenges tend to surface most clearly.

Downsizing, preparing for a move, transitioning into a smaller home, or simply wanting a space that better reflects this stage of life can act like a spotlight. Long-standing patterns around clutter and decision-making become harder to ignore — not because something is wrong, but because the systems that once worked no longer fit.

In practice, this often looks like:

• An adult who feels overwhelmed by decades of accumulated belongings
• Someone who has always struggled to maintain organizing systems and is now seeking clarity
• A person preparing to downsize or relocate, feeling stuck when it comes to making decisions and letting go

While these situations look different on the surface, they often stem from the same underlying challenges: executive functioning.

This can include:

• Decision fatigue
• Emotional attachment to belongings
• Difficulty prioritizing
• Feeling paralyzed by too many choices

Understanding this changes everything. It allows organizing and decluttering to become supportive and strategic, rather than stressful or rushed.

My work is rooted in understanding how the brain works, particularly for neurodivergent adults navigating change. I help create organizing systems and decision-making frameworks that are:

• Clear and supportive, not rigid
• Aligned with how your brain works
• Designed to reduce overwhelm and build confidence

I take a gentle, non-judgmental approach, especially when supporting people who are downsizing, relocating, or redefining how they want their home to function in this next chapter of life. The goal isn’t to rush decisions or strip spaces down. It’s to help you make thoughtful choices, at your pace, with systems that support where you are now.

If organizing has always felt harder for you than it “should,” or if this stage of life has made those challenges more visible, it’s not a personal shortcoming. It’s often a matter of finally having the right kind of support.

If this resonates and you’d like to talk through your specific situation, I offer a complimentary 60-minute consultation via Zoom. It’s a chance to share what’s feeling challenging, ask questions, and explore what support could look like — without pressure.

👉 You can book your free consultation below!

If you’d like to learn more about my background, experience, and approach, you can also visit my About Me Section to see how my work as both an educator and personal home organizer shapes the way I support each individual client.

You don’t have to figure this out on your own — and it’s never too late to create a home that truly works for you.