The Institute for Challenging Disorganization

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), is a nonprofit educational organization. It’s a community made up of medical, educational, and neuroscience professionals, Professional Organizers, and Productivity Specialists. This team of specialists educates subscribers to be better equipped to help clients affected by chronic disorganization.

Who is the ICD

The ICD’s “mission is to provide education, research, and strategies to benefit people affected by chronic disorganization and the professionals who work with them.”¹

This community is comprised of medical, educational, and neuroscience professionals, Professional Organizers, and Productivity Specialists. This team of specialists helps subscribers to be better equipped to help clients affected by chronic disorganization (CD).

Certifications and Certificates offered by ICD

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization offers numerous educational certifications and certificates. They all are focused on taking a holistic approach to working with individuals with CD. Some courses are taught by mental health and wellness professionals such as social workers, licensed professional counsellors, psychologists, etc.²

Five levels of certification can be earned.

  1. Level I Certificates of Study – includes
    • ADHD – Certificate of Study in ADHD,
    • AGE – Certificate of Study in Understanding the Needs of the Aging Client,
    • HIC – Certificate of Study in Health Issues and Conditions and the Client Affected by CD,
    • HRD – Certificate of Study in Understanding Hoarding Behavior,
    • INT – Certificate of Study in Interpersonal Intelligence,
    • LT – Certificate of Study in Life Transitions and the Client Affected by CD,
    • MGMT – Certificate of Study in Client Management (formerly Client Administration),
    • SLT – Certificate of Study in Student and Learning Theories, and
    • TMP – Certificate of Study in Time Management and Productivity.
  2. Level II Specialist Certificates – these are in-depth training offered in the areas of
    • Chronic Disorganization Specialist
    • ADHD Organizing Specialist
    • Hoarding Specialist
    • Aging Specialist
    • Time Management & Productivity Specialist
  3. Level III Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization® – this is recertified every three years.
  4. Level IV Communication Mentor – certification in training, presenting, coaching, motivation, communication, and leadership.
  5. Level V Master Trainer in CD and Organization Overview – this is the highest level of achievement in the program.

These specialist qualifications have research and hour requirements that need to be met to earn these specialist certifications.

These certifications and certificates let your potential clients know you are a qualified professional, giving them confidence in your abilities, services, and process.

Other offerings

The ICD has resources, links, scales, and fact sheets available to its members, some of which include:

  1. The Clutter Hoarding Scale
  2. The Clutter Quality of Life Scale

They offer free and paid classes as well as hosting an annual conference.

A database is available to search for and find other organizers to collaborate and connect with.

Additional support

There are many other benefits for individuals and professionals that work with people with CD. ICD is dedicated to supporting people as they become educated.

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization is also a resource for those living with chronic disorganization looking for help and support.


¹ https://icdorg.memberclicks.net/what-is-icd
² https://www.challengingdisorganization.org/certification