Addressing the executive functioning challenges associated with ADHD – difficulty with planning, prioritizing and initiating tasks – often requires tailored strategies.Dragon Claws/iStockPhoto / Getty Images
Troy Hale still remembers when a client broke down during a session, overwhelmed by the mere thought of budgeting.
“She told me she felt physically sick whenever she thought about her finances,” says Mr. Hale, a financial planner at IG Wealth Management in Medicine Hat, Alta.
While financial planning can be a challenge for anyone, it can feel insurmountable for those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder or other developmental conditions or learning disabilities. Addressing the executive functioning challenges associated with ADHD – difficulty with planning, prioritizing and initiating tasks – often requires tailored strategies.
Financial advisors can act as partners and offer reassurance, creative solutions and systems designed for neurodivergent brains. Mr. Hale, himself, is someone who manages life with ADHD and understands the struggle to stay organized, avoid impulsive decisions and manage financial stress.
Rather than overwhelming his client with numbers and technical details, he told her she wasn’t alone, set regular reviews to ensure her financial plan was on track, and reassured her they would address any issues together.
He also leverages resources such as the disability tax credit and registered disability savings plan.
David O’Leary, founder of Kind Wealth in Toronto who also lives with ADHD, stresses the importance of simplifying financial strategies. Overly complex products and plans can be paralyzing for clients.
That includes using as much automation as possible – whether for bill payments, savings or investment plans.
“That reduces the risk of missed payments, late fees or impulsive spending. Everyone can benefit from it, but especially those with ADHD or money avoidance tendencies,” he says.
Mr. O’Leary also breaks down financial planning sessions into manageable parts.
“Many advisors try to deliver a full financial plan in one long meeting, which can overwhelm anyone,” he says. “For clients with ADHD, this approach can make it almost impossible to process and retain the information. Instead, we opt for shorter, focused sessions to make the advice digestible.”
To ensure he can also perform at his best, time management is critical. His work day is structured around his energy levels: mornings are reserved for administrative tasks that require focus, and he schedules client meetings later in the day, when his natural enthusiasm can shine.
Mr. O’Leary also points out that celebrating personal wins is important. “When I hit a milestone, my instinct is to keep pushing forward to the next goal. However, I’ve realized recognizing and celebrating these wins is crucial for maintaining energy and enjoying life more fully.”
Positive reinforcement can also be motivating for clients, he adds. “That could mean sending a small gift or simply acknowledging the win verbally to keep them engaged and confident.”
Ellyce Fulmore, a financial educator and ADHD money coach in Calgary, says time management is often the root cause behind overspending on convenience purchases such as coffee or takeout.
“Helping someone with ADHD manage their time better can have a bigger impact than simply telling them to save money by packing a lunch,” says Ms. Fulmore, author of Keeping Finance Personal and host of the popular podcast Dopamine Dollars.
People with ADHD are often told they’re bad with money, she says, but the real issue is most financial systems weren’t designed with them in mind. “We’re wired differently, but that doesn’t mean we’re incapable. It just means we need different tools.”
One of Ms. Fulmore’s central tenets is the importance of making finances visible and engaging. “Out of sight, out of mind is a very real challenge for people with ADHD. If you can’t see it, it doesn’t exist,” she explains.
To combat this, she suggests using visual aids such as colour-coded charts, interactive goal trackers, or even gamified apps such as Fortune City or Habitica to bring an element of fun into the process.
“Every time you colour in a progress bar or check off a savings milestone, it gives you that little dopamine hit, and that keeps you going,” she says.
Mr. Fulmore also recommends strategies such as competing in savings challenges with friends, renaming bank accounts with humorous labels, or creating vision boards to keep financial goals tangible and motivating.
“When managing money feels boring or tedious, people with ADHD are going to disengage. The key is to make it enjoyable, so you want to stick with it,” she says.
Many neurodivergent people feel shame when they fail to meet traditional financial expectations. But Ms. Fulmore points out these clients often bring strengths to the table, such as creativity and resilience, that can help them thrive when they’re able to personalize their financial systems.
“We often internalize the idea we’re lazy or bad with money, but that’s not the case,” she says. “It’s about having systems that align with how our brains work. Once you realize that, the shame starts to lift and progress becomes possible.”