How Martial Arts Helped my ADD Son Learn Focus and More

Even before my son, now 11, was officially diagnosed as having ADD I knew that he had difficulty focusing and staying on task for very long. Like most parents, I wondered where the line was drawn between typical boy behavior, and what was a problem. Even before the official diagnosis happened I knew that the nightly Taekwondo classes helped him to focus, helped his mood, and helped his confidence in ways that nothing else had ever done.

For a long time I chalked it up to the physical exercise releasing endorphins and improving his mood. I’m sure that definitely plays a part — who hasn’t felt better after going for a walk, or hitting the gym?

But now I know it’s more than that, I know that the step-by-step instruction that is given in a Taekwondo class is exactly the style of instruction that he needs to learn. There’s no long series of instructions given that his ADD/ADHD brain has to try and remember and complete. The instructions are given step-by-step so that he can retain them, mimic them, and succeed.

Now I know that the hyper focused style of martial arts appeals to his ADD/ADHD brain in a way few other things do. I know that the martial arts gives him an acceptable outlet for the aggression he feels from the frustration he encounters throughout his school day.

I know now that because this type of learning is done while being active, and that moving around actually helps his brain focus on what he’s learning.

When he first started taking Taekwondo he was extremely shy, would have died before he volunteered to lead the class. He wouldn’t even speak directly to the instructor. Now, he has volunteered to lead the class warmup for the last three classes in a row. He describes it as fun!

After two years of taking classes he is a pre-black belt, in just a few weeks he will test for his black belt at the age of 11 1/2 years old. That’s quite an accomplishment for any child, but for one who has been labeled as ADD/ADHD it feels like an even bigger accomplishment!

We could have the most epic homework battle, the worst night at dinner ever, and an hour later, stepping out of the Taekwondo gym, he would be laughing, smiling, and back to my normal sweet, funny boy. Now if the Taekwondo instructor could teach him reading, math, and social studies it would be a dream come true!

Taekwondo has been an amazing blessing to my ADD/ADHD son that I find myself encouraging any parent I meet who has a child with ADD/ADHD, or a child on the Autism spectrum, to consider enrolling their child in some form of martial arts.

I do realize that martial arts might not be the magic ticket for every child. I believe a big part of the success has come because this is something my child has a knack for, an interest in, and because the program he is enrolled in has a clearly outlined and detailed progression plan. Belt tests are scheduled every three months, there is a readily available list of criteria for each belt test. There’s no guessing, or missing pieces, things are clearly outlined for both him and me to follow.

So, I won’t push each of you who are reading this who have an ADD/ADHD child to enroll them blindly into martial arts, instead I will encourage you to find something that your child can succeed at, whatever that may be. Music lessons, dance class, martial arts, sports, working with animals. Whatever appeals to your child’s interests, find a program and check it out. You won’t believe the difference it will make!

Angela is a social media and online community professional who has always dreamed of being a writer. Blogging combines two of her passions, social media and writing! She blogs about anything that strikes her fancy and is always thrilled (and a little surprised!) when someone lets her know they enjoy reading her work. You can find her on her blog www.writermomblog.com, Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.