Swimming Activities for Kids with ADHD

Q: Swimming Activities for Kids with ADHD

ADDitude magazine recently interviewed parents, children, gym teachers, counselors and coaches to determine which sports are best for ADHD kids. They ranked the sports according to the following criteria: Opportunities for distraction Level of physical contact Complexity of rules/strategies Use of gross motor skills Swimming and diving were highly recommended for children with ADHD and learning disabilities that affect organization, spatial awareness and difficulty with game concepts and strategies. Exercise creates a sense of well-being, something crucial to all those coping with ADHD. Kudos to you for advocating, not only for your child, but the many others who will benefit from a junior high swimming program. Keep up the good work! More tips How Can We Help Inattentive Children? How Can ADHD Moms Teach Good Habits? Why You Should Go TV-Free Get Your Kids Off The Couch Save

“I have a fourth grader with ADHD who has done well on his summer swim team, and want to ask our school board to consider adding swimming as an athletic program. Is there research that recommends it for ADHD children?”

By Sandy Maynard, M.S. Verified Updated on March 30, 2023

ADDitude magazine recently interviewed parents, children, gym teachers, counselors and coaches to determine which sports are best for ADHD kids. They ranked the sports according to the following criteria:

Opportunities for distraction
Level of physical contact
Complexity of rules/strategies
Use of gross motor skills

Swimming and diving were highly recommended for children with ADHD and learning disabilities that affect organization, spatial awareness and difficulty with game concepts and strategies. Exercise creates a sense of well-being, something crucial to all those coping with ADHD. Kudos to you for advocating, not only for your child, but the many others who will benefit from a junior high swimming program. Keep up the good work!

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