ADHD

Four Ways to Help Kids with ADHD Thrive Outdoors this Summer

By July 1, 2013July 3rd, 2013No Comments

10686554_sSummer is finally here, and with it beautiful weather and lots of sun. Kids of all ages will be outside, burning off excess energy. However, some kids benefit from outdoor play more than others – studies indicate that children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) especially profit from spending time in the open air.

Kids with ADHD have abundant energy levels that lend well to running, climbing, skipping, and participating in sports. Being outside helps children get rid of tension, says psychotherapist and author Terry Matlen, ACSW. It’s a great way to blow off steam, and natural elements like a fresh breeze or leaves rustling in the wind can be soothing.

Additionally, exercise is important for the development of motor skills such as stability and coordination. Physical activity has also been shown to elevate the amount of the brain’s feel-good chemical, dopamine, a substance in low-supply for those with ADHD.

Looking for some fresh ways to keep the kids engaged while outside this season?  A recent PsychCentral article highlighted a few activities to try.

  1. Individual Sports. A lot of children with ADHD do better in individual activities than team sports because of poor social and gross motor skills. Better alternatives for activity might include swimming, biking, or running.

  2. Interacting with Nature. Gardening and bird watching are great activities for children with ADHD because kids are typically drawn to nature and love learning about it. Children will be especially interested in seeing the fruits of their labor if they have a hand in planting the garden or are able to help install or make the bird feeder.

  3. Yard Work. Pulling a wheelbarrow, picking up sticks, or painting a fence are all great activities for those with ADHD because it allows them to get physical and exert resistance. Similar concepts are applied in occupational therapies for ADHD kids.

  4. Tackling Difficult Tasks Outdoors. Tasks that are challenging for a child indoors, like reading for instance, may suddenly become manageable when approached outside. Learning in a non-enclosed space and having the freedom to move about outdoors is very empowering for children says clinical psychologist Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D. of Harvard Medical School.

If your child has ADHD, you are not alone. There are many ways to successfully manage the symptoms for a high quality of life, and Family Guidance Center can help. To learn more about ways to engage and support children with ADHD, contact Family Guidance Center.