Building Skills with LEGO: The Ultimate ADHD Toy

LEGO turned out to be the perfect ADHD-friendly toy to draw out my son's strengths — and give us both some quiet time.

by Victoria Sullivan

Learning to build quiet time into my ADHD son's day turned out to be a snap.

When I bought a set of LEGO for my eight-year-old son, Harry, I knew it was a calculated risk. Most toys, even those that he just has to have, fail to hold his attention for more than a couple of days.

Worse, I knew that if Harry didn't experience immediate success — create a blinking, bleeping space station within 60 seconds — he'd yell and stomp away in ADHD-fueled frustration. He'd feel like a failure.

On the flip side, the LEGO set might just engage that side of Harry that loves to build things. And it would improve his fine-motor skills. I'd also settle for keeping Harry occupied while I cook supper.

LEGO delivered all of the good stuff — and none of the downside. Harry, as it turns out, is something of a LEGO savant. On his first attempt, he followed the directions and created a trailer-truck-boat hybrid. He played with the finished product, complete with running commentary, for hours.

Harry has moved on to what I call "improvisational LEGO" — inventing contraptions, such as a rocket ship-helicopter that can land on snow or water. The plastic blocks inspire him and build his confidence.

So what if a few pieces turn up in the litter box? The free time they buy me is worth it. Bringing the set home was one of those small victories a parent of an ADHD child looks for.

I say, "Thank you, LEGO!" Harry says, "We can get more?"

This article comes from the Summer 2009 issue of ADDitude.

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