After-school activities for child with ADHD?

[Anonymous]

Running. Track/XC but typically it's for older kids but definitely running you can do around the neighborhood together or something.

I have a friend who's Goddaughter is like this. I'm going to tell you that it really doesn't matter how much exercise you give your ADHD kid - if they are hyper - they just never stop. Her Goddaughter just could not sit still and the older she got the worse she got.

Medication is really the way to go. I didn't do it with our kid until age 13 and let me tell you - LIFE CHANGING. You will need to take some time to find the right meds as well so my best advice - look for meds now. Subsidize with physical activities of course but I'm just saying it doesn't really matter what they do as long as they are up and moving - it really can be anything and it won't really help them in the sense that they are wired to be active regardless of how much activity you give them.

[Anonymous]

I put my DS in Cub Scouts and it seems like a lot of kids have ADHD or autism. The requirements are typically physical and done at meetings so relatively easy to advance. Camping is great, they get to run wild all day without getting in much trouble.

[Anonymous]

Swimming year round. Also track in season. 12 yrs old.

[Anonymous]

I'd keep a close eye on whatever you pick. I've watched ADHD kids really struggle socially if they're in a program that's not a good match. It can mess up school friendships if they become the annoying kid.

[Anonymous]

More gymnastics. Chess club. Mine did other sports - he would've excelled in gymnastics, though. He needs constant action and dopamine hits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My (newly) 6 year old was recently diagnosed with ADHD. We just started dabbling more into extracurriculars when he started kindergarten. In the fall, he participated in an exploratory music class (focused on vocal music vs instruments) and he only did okay and was constantly in movement. He did soccer both fall and spring (2 nights a week). He goes to speech therapy weekly.

He has very high energy and is constantly climbing, swinging from things, and dancing. I'm strongly considering a 5 week into gymnastics class once a week for him as I think the full-body activity would be great for him. I'd also love to explore more of an instrumental music class and I honestly think he's a kid that would do great in theater---he loved performing with his school for music. I don't want to overwhelm him (and myself- I have ADHD too!) but I want to help support his different interests and give him the opportunity to try out things he likes.

My older child (almost 9) is 2E (ADHD/gifted) and likely is autistic. He requires A LOT of downtime to regulate and has only stuck with 2 extracurriculars (karate and cub scouts) so my approach to supporting my younger child is very different than how I support my big kid.

I know some kids with ADHD thrive best when kept in several physical/engaging activities but all kids need down-time to just be creative and play.

How do you navigate this with your kids? Thanks

Club swim if he knows how to swim…not lessons but an actual team. My ADJD kiddo has thrived and at 12 now swims 2 hours a night, 6 days a week and loves it. He is far less irritable, sleeps better and is far more even keel…..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Running. Track/XC but typically it's for older kids but definitely running you can do around the neighborhood together or something.

I have a friend who's Goddaughter is like this. I'm going to tell you that it really doesn't matter how much exercise you give your ADHD kid - if they are hyper - they just never stop. Her Goddaughter just could not sit still and the older she got the worse she got.

Medication is really the way to go. I didn't do it with our kid until age 13 and let me tell you - LIFE CHANGING. You will need to take some time to find the right meds as well so my best advice - look for meds now. Subsidize with physical activities of course but I'm just saying it doesn't really matter what they do as long as they are up and moving - it really can be anything and it won't really help them in the sense that they are wired to be active regardless of how much activity you give them.

All the track clubs start at 6.

[Anonymous]

CYO leagues start at K

[Anonymous]

Soccer was a fit for us but thats because he had some natural talent and loved being good at something. The constant running is a bonus. When younger i signed him up for swimming and gymnastics and he liked both. He liked tkd but didnt stick with it. Music is awesome if your kid has an inclination, try drums, full body moving and noise making!

[Anonymous]

Swim team

[Anonymous]

I am jealous of kids can make it to swim teams. For low muscle tone kids, it is so difficult for them to learn swimming. Anyone has great affordable recommendation in momtgomery county for swimming? We have no hoa pool, and it is so difficult to do practices. It will be great one day my kids can make it to swim team.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely not do any activity where they have to sit quietly, follow direction, and complete a project. Those are truly disasters for both the child and the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Rock climbing, karate, theater, swimming.

Gymnastics didn’t work that well for us (boy). The classes were mostly girl dominated and there was more waiting in line, and sitting quietly on a mat than my child could handle.