Sensory-inclusive office environments for workers with ADHD : a preliminary study

Background: Neurodivergent individuals with ADHD face significant sensory challenges in traditional office environments due to heightened sensitivities to auditory, visual, tactile, and proprioceptive stimuli. These challenges can lead to significant occupational health problems and work exclusion. Objective: This study aims to identify sensory challenges experienced by office workers with ADHD and evaluate the effectiveness of workplace adjustments in improving occupational health. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was administered to a convenience sample of 82 office workers in Switzerland with a medical diagnosis of ADHD, recruited through ADHD organizations and social media. Data was collected on participants’ sensory profiles, sensory challenges in office environments, occupational health parameters (WHO5, work satisfaction, feeling supported by work), and perceived effectiveness of adjustments. Results: The study identified noise, lack of enclosure, and temperature as the most common sensory challenges. Most effective design adjustments included sit-to-stand desks, ergonomic furniture, and work points in low-traffic areas; most effective operational adjustments included flexible hours, work-from-home policies, and scheduled breaks. However, participants sensory profiles were associated with sensory challenges and with the effectiveness of adjustments. Receiving adjustments as well as being satisfied with them was associated occupational health parameters. Conclusion: Individuals’ sensory profile may allow to predict sensory challenges experienced as well as adjustments’ effectiveness. Adjustments appear to have significant impact on occupational health for ADHD workers and could be tailored to workers’ sensory profile for targeted adjustments. Future research should validate these findings with larger samples and longitudinal studies to develop evidence-based guidelines for sensory-inclusive workplace design.