14 activities for children with ADHD (to work attention)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is one of the best known neurodevelopmental disorders and diagnosed in the Western world, characterized by the presence of inattention that may or may not be accompanied by hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It is a problem that can cause severe difficulties for the child who suffers from it, existing in many cases adjustment problems in the academic and social environment derived mainly from a lack of development of some functions executive.

In order to solve these difficulties, it may be of great interest to carry out some type of activity that allows training these functions. Throughout this article we are going to propose various activities for children with ADHD in order to enhance their abilities in a fun and enjoyable way.

• Related article: "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), also in adults"

ADHD: brief description of the disorder

Before starting to propose specific activities, it may be relevant to make a brief mention of what is known as ADHD.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a disorder characterized by the presence of al least six symptoms of inattention and another six of hyperactivity and impulsivity for a minimum of six months in a row.

Among the typical symptoms of inattention we can find problems in maintaining attention, loss of other people's conversation or lack of listening due to having a busy mind, forgetting to daily activities, avoidance of activities that require sustained attention, inability to continue or complete tasks, forgetting instructions, loss of objects or carelessness.

Regarding hyperactivity / impulsivity motor restlessness, excessive talking, inability to take turns are common, intrusion in the activities of others, anticipation of responses of others before they occur, inability to remain still or sit or run in inappropriate contexts. Keep in mind that there is also ADD, in which there would be inattention but not hyperactivity.

It is a neurodevelopmental disorder, that is, a condition that appears as a consequence of difficulties in the process of normative development and whose symptoms have their appearance during the same (although this does not mean that it only exists in childhood or adolescence, being also present in Adults). In the case of ADHD, it can be observed specifically a slowing of the development of the prefrontal cortex, something that has repercussions when it comes to developing the so-called executive functions. Among the functions that usually present deficits, we observe attention, work memory, inhibition of behavior, the capacity for self-organization or the ability to make and keep plans.

It is also important to bear in mind that we are facing problems beyond the control of those who suffer from it, something that It is necessary to emphasize since for many people it can be difficult to realize, for example, in the case that we occupies.

Proposals for activities for children with ADHD

When generating activities for children with this problem, it must be clear that they must be considered activities that must be clearly explained, that allow for breaks and that, although they have as a goal the empowerment of capacities, are enjoyable and experienced as something interesting for the minor. It is also usually advisable to use activities that are rather visual, not entirely verbal. Likewise, the presence of distracting stimuli should be withdrawn or avoided.

Taking this into account, below we will see a series of activities that we can carry out together with a child with ADHD and that can help us train skills and abilities in which they can have difficulties.

1. The seven differences

A typical and simple game as well as fun that is based on detect differences between multiple images. The level of difficulty may vary depending on the age and ability of the subject. It allows training attention to detail and working memory.

2. Alphabet soup

Another typical and highly-known activity used on occasion to entertain themselves by a large part of the population, word searches can also be useful for children with ADHD given what allow training selective attention, the ability to organize and inhibition of behavior.

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3. Slow motion

Another way to train attention span and behavior inhibition and management is through performing various actions in slow motion. An example could be playing an astronaut on a mission to the Moon, who must place a flag somewhere on the lunar surface (the child's house for example), in zero gravity. You can get to raise a whole story, it can even become a group game.

4. The turtle technique

This small and simple activity can help to strengthen behavior management and reduce impulsivity. It is about playing with the child and teaching him to become a turtle, learning to act little by little and to take refuge in the shell when they perceive a threat, in order to calm down.

5. Memory or couples game

This well-known game allows you to train memory and attention, having the subject to find between a group of cards face down pairs of cards, being able to lift only two at a time before placing them face down again.

6. Building games

If your child likes them, building games are a great way to train planning skills, behavior control, and attention to detail. From LEGOs to models, it can be a fun and useful activity which can also be tailored to the subject's taste.

7. Echo game

This activity, to be carried out preferably in a group, is based on one of the participants following a word and the rest doing an echo, repeating the last syllables. You can also add the fact that each time the child has to reduce the repeated syllables and sounds. Promotes attention and verbal working memory.

8. The initial of my name

A simple activity that is based on the fact that we will say different letters at random in a continuous way, the minor having to clap when he hears the one that corresponds to his initial. It can also be done by saying words at random, with the subject having to clap when a specific one is said. It favors continuous care.

9. What have I saved?

Memory and attention are some of the skills that this activity allows to promote. It is that the subject is provided with a series of different objects to keep in a box. Once this is done, it should say that it is what you have saved. It can be useful to propose beforehand to generate a fantastic story that allows to encompass all the objects in question, in such a way that the organization is also worked on.

10. Hangman

This well-known game allows the maintenance of attention, behavioral inhibition, planning or ability to organize.

11. team sports

Physical activity is usually something enjoyable for children with hyperactivity, as it allows them a great deal of movement. In addition to releasing energy, many sports also may favor attention to stimuli or details, such as table tennis.

12. Chained words

Another simple activity to carry out and that allows you to train not only your attention, but also the need to wait for your turn to speak. It is about forming a chain of words, making the players take turns saying a word that must begin with the last syllable of the word that the previous person has said.

13. Imitate me

This game allows work attention and memory. The first person must do a specific activity (which can come from cards previously prepared), so that the rest must pay attention to what he does to be able to replicate it to continuation. An example could be replicating a dance choreography.

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14. An invented language

The idea of ​​this activity is to generate series of symbols without meaning per se, as if it were a new language, that correspond to the letters of the alphabet. We will have to leave several relatively short messages throughout the house that the child will have to translate in order to find the next clue, for example, to find a small treasure (for example some sweets), having for it a small chop.

Bibliographic references:

• Vallés, A. (1999). How to change child behavior. Guide for parents. Alicante: Editorial Marfil.