Inattentive ADHD and sports

[Anonymous]

I often see posts about ADHD children who are helped by being active in sports. In our recently diagnosed inattentive ADHD 9 yo DS, I feel as though his inattentiveness has always kept him from participating adequately, and as a result has kept him somewhat isolated socially, despite being a well-liked kid otherwise. Has anyone experienced something similar?

[Anonymous]

Which sports has he tried? I’m one of the posters who said sports helped my kid significantly. Team sports didn’t go well in elementary school and it was martial arts that he did and loved. It wasn’t until almost middle school where he was really able to participate in a team sport.

[Anonymous]

Sports have helped my inattentive add kid significantly. They are a source of confidence and socialization. Plays on a high-level hockey team. When supplementing significantly with private skill lessons because DC doesn't learn well in a group setting. DC also practices stick handling and shooting at home daily. It's still an uphill battle, but with passion and support, DC is hanging in there on the team and has something that makes DC feel successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which sports has he tried? I’m one of the posters who said sports helped my kid significantly. Team sports didn’t go well in elementary school and it was martial arts that he did and loved. It wasn’t until almost middle school where he was really able to participate in a team sport.

He’s tried soccer, lacrosse, flag football and martial arts. Martial arts seems to be the best fit, but most of his friends play team sports together. It’s great that in middle school your son began participating. What does he play and did you do anything to bring him up to speed on the sport(s) he currently plays?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the poster above who said something like martial arts, something individual. And something they buy into and have a strong interest in. Eventually he fell into basketball, but that took time to settle in, and mostly because his friends were playing and it was something he could easily do with friends in their driveways after school, so it was more motivating.

[Anonymous]

This is definitely unique to the individual, but we found that team sports that required quick decision-making skills - basketball, soccer, frisbee, etc. - were not a good fit for DC. Swimming/swim team has been much better and has provided an inclusive environment for DC to participate and have a social group.

[Anonymous]

My 10 yo DD with inattentive ADHD has really thrived in swimming. She's really good at it (which builds her confidence), realizes that it helps her mood, and has some friends on the team. I think she can really zone out (or zone in and just focus on her stroke) during practice which suits her.

[Anonymous]

My child does travel hockey and it has been great for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the poster above who said something like martial arts, something individual. And something they buy into and have a strong interest in. Eventually he fell into basketball, but that took time to settle in, and mostly because his friends were playing and it was something he could easily do with friends in their driveways after school, so it was more motivating.

+1 my DD with inattentive ADHD really liked fencing. She didn't want to do a team sport mainly because of anxiety about feeling like she'd let the team down

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]This is definitely unique to the individual, but we found that team sports that required quick decision-making skills - basketball, soccer, frisbee, etc. - were not a good fit for DC. Swimming/swim team has been much better and has provided an inclusive environment for DC to participate and have a social group. [/quote]

Ditto. Soccer, starting in mid to late ES becomes
more skill-based. My ADHD kid couldn't understand the coaching because it includes a lot of non-specific language (choke up on the bat - WTH does that mean?). Also soccer requires a fair degree of executive function - while you're dribbling the ball you have to glance up and see where your teammates are and decide strategically who to pass to. Even though DC was extremely athletic, he went from being a great player as a little kid to a player that made costly mistakes with increasing frequency.

Other suggestions - rock climbing, running (cross country), rowing (the latter has a soothing outdoor aspect, the rowing is rhythmic but the workouts are exhausting), skiing, and any sport with individual events but as part of a team. (fencing, maybe?)

[Anonymous]

this is helpful. DD is combined and has not done well with team sports at all.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the suggestions of martial arts and swimming. Swimming has been particularly good for us, summer swim is fun, team based, but individual in a lot of aspects.

[Anonymous]

The reason sports are good for my adhd kid is because he is good at them and it is a confidence builder. I wouldn't push it if he wasnt naturally good. But having an outlet and environment where he is praised is a life changer.

[Anonymous]

The ADHD athletes in my life do the following sports:

-softball (older DD: she could handle the dullness and really thrived in situations where you had a specific assigned task vs. the free-wheeling nature of sports like soccer)

-rowing (this is my DH and it’s possible that all of his former teammates also have inattentive or hyperactive ADHD; they are great guys but truly exhausting to socialize with in every way)

-swimming (me! I could space out during hard workouts and do great but I did have trouble racing and maintaining focus in meets)

-gymnastics (this is my younger DD; she thrives in the heavily scripted environment of the sport)

[Anonymous]

It’s expensive, but DD has done well with horseback riding.