Activities for Children with ADHD

C.,

My seven-year-old doesn't have ADHD, but he is a very animated active boy who sometimes has a hard time, as you put it, "staying on task." His teachers love him, because he's really sweet, and gets super grades, though sometimes he just seems to fly over things when distracted.

We have karate lessons available at our school, as a low-cost after school activity. When he wanted to join, I mentioned disipline, which scared him a bit, but he ended up enjoying it. I think the disipline became a challenge he enjoyed. He's since gotten involved with soccer, which is now his passion, but I feel the karate taught him well.

A fabulous book called "Dreamers, Discoverers and Dynamos" was given to me by my sister, and it's great, even if your not one to want to read a book cover to cover. Talks about The Edison Complex, and how Thomas Edison, as well as many other great thinkers, before we had the term ADHD, was called a "divergent thinker." I am a divergent thinker, and I love it! It keeps me motivated, productive and creative!

Best wishes!

H.

Have you checked into swimming. I am a swim instructor and swim team coach for court south conditioning clubs. I have serveral students with ADHD and I have found that swimming really teaches them to focus and it wears them out so they rest better as well. Please contact me for further assistance. I think its a great sport.

I found out 2 years ago that my 8yr old son had A.D.D I am guessing thet is a source connected w/ A.D.H.D he was taking statera but when I saw a recall on the med. I took him off it immidietly I was just afraid of what would happen was it ok that I took him off the Med due to the recall because his Dr. said they would contact D.C.S if I took him off the med?

I was diagnosed with adhd when I was very young and I loved soccer and taekwondo I dont know exactly how to spell it I also lovrd to put models together and stayed busy which is a problem I still have I am never still but let him multitask doing several things at once may keep his mind busy pets may help Ive always had a dog or a ferret or something that was kinda hyper to this day I still have dogs I just got a pitbull puppy play at the park stay active it will also help keep you and him in shape but dont ever tell him he cant do something as long as it is somewhat safe (contact sports) let him try things every thing my dad had me helping work on cars but that may not be for hhim try arts and crafts that may work try theese things they may help if I can think of any more I will let you know

I have always heard that martial arts, such as Tae Kwan Do, are great for children with ADHD. They learn focus, discipline, and stay in shape. My father teaches and is a second degree black belt and can see the difference in children who stay with the art.

Soccer! My 10 yr old daughter has ADHD as well and soccer is wonderful, she is actually tired and ready for sleep when she is done with practice or the game and she gets all that extra energy out running around kicking the ball. I must admit I enjoy watching her doing all the running. And if he gets a good coach who knows how to motivate them then it is all the better.

Hi C., I work with individuals with disabilities, and many of the people I've worked with have ADHD. Have you googled "Activities for children with ADHD?" I was asked to research good games and toys for a lady's grandson who I worked with, and he has ADHD and Autism. When you google it, you should also be able to find support groups, resources, etc. that may help your son. I hope this helps!

My son is in Boy Scouts and Tae Kwon Do. The karate has elevated his self esteem in ways I can't even describe(sp?). He went from making B's and C's in school to honor role. It's great exercise, teaches disipline, and teaches them how to follow and memorize directions. But the most important part is the self esteem. He's not that great at it, but the teachers realy do a great job of giving the kids having trouble(a lot in there have ADHD or ADD) extra help without letting them or the other kids realize that the extra attention isn't just because the are sooo great. My son goes to ATA in Eisenhower Square. It's a little pricey, but I tell people...It's something I can't really afford, but for my son's sake, I can't afford not to. If you go in or call tell them Milo's(that's a long I) mom sent you. (No I don't get any deals for recruits)

My son is now 11 but was diagnosed with ADHD at 3. The things that help him are chess, reading books, Band...usually things like baseball, which we tried, where he had to stand and wait on the ball to come to him...that didn't work to well and Karate didn't work either because he had to stand still and he wanted to fidget with other kids so he got in trouble in the class. I didn't think this was good to boost his self esteem if everytime I took him he got in trouble and it didn't teach him self control because he couldn't help the way he was. ADHD children usually have a huge self esteem issue because they are constantly being told no. You have to try new things and see which works best with your child. Each one is different. I wasted so much money trying to find those things, just to prepare you.

Great job for having him in Boy Scouts.. That is an excellent program espcecially for the ADHD child. My son was in it and they have planned activites they can do for them. Band or music is a great thing to. Just remember when doing any activity do it in short spurts. Have them to study for a few minutes and then a break. They can remember more that way. My son had spelling words in Elem. School and i would divide the words into4 days like i would have him study 3 words a day instead of studying all of them at once. He was able to remember and learn the words better. Good luck....

Hello. I checked out the ADHD website for information like this. My son is 7 and was diagnosed with ADHD since he was 3. It runs in the family. Sports like Baseball and Football are hard to keep them on task because Baseball has a lot of waiting in the field and they get bored. Football has a lot of plays that is hard to learn and remember. The website suggested Soccer or Swimming because it lets them run off their energy. We tried Soccer and he loves it. It is his third year in Soccer and it works great. Plus it helps to get a doctor that works with this kind of problem all the time and knows what to prescribe and when it is not working anymore. Dr. Cupp in Orange Grove is wonderful with this. She has treated several children with this and the whole family of mine. If he is still having trouble staying on task, that is a good indication that the medicine is not working properly or wearing off too quickly. It is a long hard struggle I know. We have changed medicines and doses for 4 years now and finally found one that works for now anyway. Good luck.

Hi C.,

I had the same problem with my kids when they were young. Even high activity sports, like soccer and football, couldn't hold their attention. Our doctor recommended activities that are more one-on-one rather than team sports. Swimming, tennis, martial arts, and music were things we tried. After 5 years, my kids earned their black belts and now they are both in the high school marching band and absolutely love it.

S.

Hi C. I also have a son with ADHD. Anything that keeps his mind going is good like football,basetball,playing video games,I also let him play games on the internet. Cartoon network.com is a good site for kids. My son and daughter also puts on plays and dance shows for me and my husband.

My son has the same thing. I put my son in soccer and he loved it because he was always doing something. I loved it to because by the end of practice he was so exhausted. I just got my son into football but he liked soccer better.

My son has ADHD for several years. I enrolled him in Karate when he was 5. It has done wonders for his concentration and self discipline. I recently had to keep him out for about a month when we had a lapse in insurance (my choice) and could tell the difference within 2 weeks. I ended up taking him back before his insurance started back, because I felt the benefits far outweighed the risks. He's been going now for 3 years. One of the best decisions I ever made. All his teachers and doctors also agree that this is a very good "treatment", plus he has so much fun and the values they instill are all positive. I recommend Seigler's Karate Center. All 3 of my kids went there. Ms. Jennifer is outstanding with children. She knows how to be firm and loving when a child is getting off task. She is one of my heroes. Good Luck!

I have a 10 yo with ADHD he was diagnosed at age 5. He is on meds for this because of school he was not able to handle school and they were not able to handle him either. But my son has been in ball since he was diagnosed and loves it and is still playing and is very good. You might want to try a few and see which one he enjoys more then he will but all of his attention to that at least that is what mine does. he would rather play baseball then anything. I hope this helps you some.

My son has ADHD and we do basketball...He loves it and it gives them a chance to run using those big leg muscles releasing all that energy so he sleeps better at night. My doctor as suggested Karate. I haven't went that route yet I'm afraid my boys would fight even more.