Executive Functioning Challenges in ADHD, Autism, and AuDHD and Their Impact on Home Organization
If you've ever walked into your home and felt instantly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff—piles of mail, clothes draped over chairs, half-finished projects—you’re not alone. Many of my Chicago home organizing clients struggle to maintain an orderly home in busy seasons of life. If they are ADHD, Autistic, or AuDHD (Autistic + ADHD), the struggle can be even more intense. Neurobiological differences such as these impact executive functioning, which simply means these folks may need extra support and tools to achieve the home life that best supports them.
In this article, I take a deep dive into how specific executive functioning challenges—task paralysis, hyperfocus, time blindness, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation—affect home organization and clutter. Plus, I explore how a home organizer can be a game-changer in creating a more functional space.
Task Paralysis: When Everything Feels Like Too Much
Task paralysis is that awful feeling of knowing something needs to be done but being completely unable to start. It's like standing at the bottom of a mountain, staring up at the peak, and having no idea how to begin climbing.
For home organization, this means that even small messes can snowball into overwhelming chaos. The idea of sorting through a pile of paperwork or tackling a cluttered closet can feel insurmountable. Instead of starting, many people with ADHD, Autism, or AuDHD will shut down, leading to more accumulation over time.
How a Home Organizer Can Help:
Breaking tasks into micro-steps – Instead of saying, “Let’s organize the kitchen,” a home organizer might start with one cabinet or one category (e.g., all expired food).
Providing structure and accountability – Having someone physically present to guide the process makes it easier to take action.
Using visual and tactile cues – Labeling systems, color coding, or clear storage bins can make organization more intuitive and less overwhelming.
Hyperfocus: The Double-Edged Sword
Hyperfocus is when someone gets deeply absorbed in an activity, sometimes to the exclusion of everything else. While it can be a superpower for creative projects or problem-solving, it’s also a common reason why clutter accumulates.
People with ADHD or Autism may hyperfocus on collecting, crafting, researching, or other hobbies, leading to an excess of materials that pile up. They might intend to “eventually” organize them but never get around to it because they’ve moved on to the next passion project.
How a Home Organizer Can Help:
Creating designated spaces for interests – Instead of spreading projects across the house, a home organizer can help establish clear zones for hobbies.
Setting realistic limits – Implementing a “one in, one out” rule can prevent excess accumulation.
Using hyperfocus strategically – An organizer can harness hyperfocus in positive ways, such as making organizing sessions feel like a fun, engaging challenge.
Time Blindness: The Eternal Battle with ‘Later’
Time blindness is the difficulty in perceiving time accurately, making it hard to gauge how long something takes or when it should be done. This can lead to a build-up of clutter because cleaning or organizing always feels like something that can be done “later.”
Someone might genuinely believe they’ll take care of a mess tomorrow, only for weeks to pass and the mess to grow into something overwhelming. There’s also the tendency to underestimate how long organization will take, leading to frustration and abandonment halfway through.
How a Home Organizer Can Help:
Implementing timers and structured routines – Short, timed sessions (e.g., “Let’s clean for 30 minutes and then take a break”) make tasks feel more manageable.
Using visual scheduling tools – Calendars, checklists, and reminders help make organization a regular habit rather than a crisis response.
Encouraging completion – An organizer can step in when someone starts but struggles to finish, preventing half-organized piles from becoming new mess zones.
Impulsivity: The Struggle with Too Much Stuff
Impulsivity can play a huge role in home organization challenges, particularly when it comes to accumulation. Whether it’s impulse shopping, saving things “just in case,” or starting multiple projects at once, impulsivity often leads to an excess of items without a plan for managing them.
Many ADHD and Autistic folks develop sentimental attachments to objects, making it difficult to let go of things, even if they aren’t useful or necessary. This contributes to clutter and makes spaces feel overwhelming.
How a Home Organizer Can Help:
Implementing decluttering strategies – Techniques like the “four-box method” (keep, donate, trash, relocate) make decisions easier.
Helping manage sentimental items – A home organizer can suggest ways to preserve memories without keeping everything (e.g., taking photos of sentimental objects before letting them go).
Creating impulse-control shopping strategies – Having a checklist before buying or instituting a waiting period can reduce unnecessary accumulation.
Dysregulation: When Emotions Get in the Way
Dysregulation refers to when our emotions are out of balance, which can make home organization especially challenging. Feelings of frustration, guilt, and shame often come up when facing a messy or disorganized space. ADHD, Autistic, and AuDHD people can experience cycles of avoidance and distress—avoiding the mess because it’s overwhelming, only to feel worse when it gets bigger.
Additionally, sensory sensitivities common in Autism and AuDHD can make organizing even harder. The texture of certain materials, the sound of crinkling paper, or even the visual chaos of sorting items can lead to sensory overload.
How a Home Organizer Can Help:
Offering non-judgmental support – A professional organizer approaches the situation with compassion, helping reduce shame and self-criticism.
Identifying sensory-friendly solutions – A home organizer can introduce organization methods that minimize sensory discomfort, such as using soft storage bins, natural lighting, and quiet organization techniques.
Building confidence through small wins – Tackling small, achievable tasks first builds momentum and reduces emotional overwhelm. Over time, these successes create a foundation for sustainable organization habits, making the home feel less like a battlefield and more like a place of comfort and ease.
A Home Organizer Offers a New Support System
For those navigating home life with ADHD, Autism, or AuDHD, organization isn’t just about keeping things tidy—it’s about creating an environment that supports well-being and reduces stress. While executive functioning challenges can make it difficult to maintain an organized home, working with a home organizer can make a significant difference.
A good home organizer understands these struggles and works with individuals to create sustainable systems that fit their unique needs. Whether it's setting up routines, breaking down overwhelming tasks, or finding storage solutions that work with different thinking styles, their role goes beyond tidying up—we help provide a path to a more functional and calming space.
If you or someone you know struggles with home organization due to being ADHD, Autistic, or AuDHD, consider reaching out to a professional home organizer. The right approach can turn a chaotic space into a sanctuary of ease and comfort.
Leveling Up My Practice
I’m thrilled to share that this spring, I’ll be diving into an intensive training program with the Coach Approach Training Institute. This program offers evidence-based coaching frameworks and practical strategies designed to help home organizers and other professionals better support neurodivergent clients. By deepening my knowledge and expertise, I aim to enhance the transformative experiences I provide through home organization—making spaces not only functional but truly empowering for those I serve.