Sports & Activities

The Chance to Be a Leader

Children with ADD can learn focus and leadership skills on the field.

By ADDitude Editors Verified Updated on March 19, 2022
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America's favorite pastime, baseball can teach your ADHDer patience, sportsmanship, and teamwork — but modifications designed to keep your child active and engaged are crucial to his success. Talk with your child’s coach about incorporating the following modifications to minimize your child's downtime and boredom: 1) Frequently changing drill patterns and field positions, 2) Alternating between multiple practice stations, and 3) Giving your ADHD child a coach's assistant job while waiting for his turn at bat.
America's favorite pastime, baseball can teach your ADHDer patience, sportsmanship, and teamwork — but modifications designed to keep your child active and engaged are crucial to his success. Talk with your child’s coach about incorporating the following modifications to minimize your child's downtime and boredom: 1) Frequently changing drill patterns and field positions, 2) Alternating between multiple practice stations, and 3) Giving your ADHD child a coach's assistant job while waiting for his turn at bat.

My 10-year-old son plays basketball, baseball, and soccer. He is very athletic, and sports is the one area where he can focus 100 percent.

I think the team experience is important in teaching him to be a better friend and in giving him the rare opportunity to be a leader. On another note, the exercise is also beneficial to a child with this much energy!

–Renee Brown