Kids with the hyperactive part of ADHD are going to be drawn to team sports, but the child's impulsivity and lack of focus don't lend themselves to success. Individual sports such as martial arts, wrestling, tennis, and swimming are better choices.
LEGO blocks turned out to be the perfect toy to draw out my son's strengths — and give us both some quiet time. Learning to build quiet time into my ADHD son's day turned out to be a snap.
The ADHD-TV Controversy
More specifically, for each extra hour per day of TV time, the risk of concentration difficulties increases by 10 percent, compared with that of a child who views no TV at all. Excessive viewing was associated with a 28 percent increase in attention problems.
Finding out and encouraging what your child does well—whether it's school, sports, art, music, or play—can help create positive experiences. Provide a healthy lifestyle. Nutritious food, lots of physical activity, and sufficient sleep are important; they can help keep ADHD symptoms from getting worse.
In fact, challenging the body as well as the brain with complex activities like martial arts, ballet, ice skating, gymnastics, rock climbing, and mountain biking seems to have a greater positive impact on children with ADHD than aerobic exercise alone.
Kids with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with focus, impulse control, sitting still, and hand-eye coordination. But like their neurotypical peers, they love to play, and the right toys can be fun, fascinating, and even therapeutic.
Fidget toys are often used to provide sensory input in a less distracting way. They can help improve concentration and attention to tasks by allowing the brain to filter out the extra sensory information (e.g. listening to a lesson in the classroom, paying attention to a book during circle time).
The science of fidgeting
Another study concluded that the fidgety behavior displayed by children and adults with ADHD may be an effort to increase their attention and alertness. The amount of improvement varies by the person and the fidgeting activity can also become a distraction if it's too intense.
ADHD meltdowns are sudden outbursts of frustration and anger that seem to come out of nowhere. If your child is struggling to control their emotions, there are ways to help them. For children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsivity can present in many ways.
Kids with ADHD are often prone to public emotional outbursts when they get upset or don't get their way. How you react can calm them down — or trigger a meltdown. Parenting is tough — and it can be even tougher when you're parenting a kid who has ADHD.
Go outside and go for a walk and take in some deep breaths. Some kids find drawing or painting to be soothing. Drawing or writing about their thoughts and feelings can be very helpful in the moment and later for problem solving. Many people find that listening to music is calming.
Some of the common foods that can cause ADHD reactions include milk, chocolate, soy, wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges. If you suspect a food sensitivity may be contributing to your child's ADHD symptoms, talk to your ADHD dietitian or doctor about trying an elimination diet.
Night time. Sleep problems and ADHD can be a vicious circle. ADHD can lead to sleep problems, which in turn can make symptoms worse. Many children with ADHD will repeatedly get up after being put to bed and have interrupted sleep patterns.
Foods rich in protein — lean beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy, and low-fat dairy products — may have beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms. Protein-rich foods are used by the brain to make neurotransmitters — chemicals that help brain cells talk with each other.
Screen time is a touchy subject for a lot of families, but that doesn't mean technology is all bad. In fact, when it comes to reinforcing classroom learning, iPads and other tablet computers work wonders for students with ADHD.
Children with ADHD experience the same emotions as do other children, but their feelings are more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. Because the underlying brain mechanisms that help manage emotions are affected by ADHD, emotional regulation development is delayed.
Have difficulty following through on instructions and fail to finish schoolwork or chores. Have trouble organizing tasks and activities. Avoid or dislike tasks that require focused mental effort, such as homework. Lose items needed for tasks or activities, for example, toys, school assignments, pencils.