Summer is finally here, and every field, court, and pool is packed with kids playing competitive sports. Is there any place among them for a child with ADHD? Of course. But it depends on the child... and the sport.
Organized sports have a lot to offer ADDers. Requiring focus, attention, and social interaction, they sharpen many of the skills important to school success. And physical effort releases endorphins, the brain chemicals that reduce stress and increase the sense of well-being, particularly important for kids with ADHD.
But many of the problems that routinely plague kids in the classroom - following directions, using strategies and rules, and staying focused - get magnified on the playing field. Additional difficulties may arise for children who have learning disabilities that affect their organization, spatial awareness, and strategic thinking. Performing under pressure and enduring the frustration of losing are also real challenges for kids with ADHD.
Which sports are best?
Team sports are generally the hardest for kids with ADHD, calling for the very skills that sideline many of them. Think of what's involved in baseball: Players must anticipate moves, make fielding decisions, comprehend cues from teammates...and stay focused during slow times in the outfield.
Team sports that involve contact, such as basketball and football, are even more demanding, and run the risk of causing injury. Experts usually advise against them for children with ADHD.
In contrast, swimming, diving, wrestling, gymnastics, and tennis emphasize individual performance, and offer extended one-on-one interaction with the coach. These sports make it easier for kids to focus, and they minimize distractions and downtime. Although the effort and instruction are individual, kids still get the social benefits of training and competing in teams.
The flip side, however, is that the spotlight - and all the pressure - is on the individual. If your child can't take pressure, or prefers to blend into a group, she may be better off on a team.
An activity recommended for nearly all kids with ADHD is a martial art, such as karate. These require fluid, controlled movements and internal self-control, both important goals for ADDers.
Making modifications
To find the right sport for your child, consider what he's good at, what suits his personality, and, let's face it, what his friends are doing. Even a team sport can work if adjustments are made. In baseball, for instance, the coach might change drill patterns and rotate field positions frequently to minimize boredom. In any sport, talk to the coach about how your child performs best - if she needs visual cues to understand instructions, for example, or frequent reminders about what comes next. A little extra attention may keep her at the top of her game.
Adapted by Rochelle Green from "The Best Summer Sports for ADHD Kids."
