TOP Soccer for 1st grader with ADHD

[Anonymous]

Hello! I am hoping to get some feedback on TOP Soccer for a first grade boy with ADHD. Would this be an appropriate program? We struggle with many organized sports, either because he loses interest or gets distracted. It can be hard when the rest of the kids on the team are just doing what they are supposed to do (by and large) and my son is the odd person out drawing attention to himself and not cooperating.

For context, he has an IEP for speech and some organizational help with bringing items home from school, but his behavioral issues were not considered to be serious enough to warrant IEP goals. He only has what was previously in his 504.

I have always thought of TOP Soccer as meant for kids with more serious disabilities who can't function in a setting with mostly NT kids, but then it occurred to me that maybe it would be appropriate for my son too. I just don't want to make him feel even more out of place if he's the highest-functioning player by a long shot, if that is the case I would rather put him with his friends in the traditional rec soccer program.

Any thoughts from parents whose children have participated in this program?

[Anonymous]

TOPS is really great, but's not organized soccer. There aren't really games or teams. It's more like skill-building or drills at each kid's own pace/interest/skill level, and sometimes a bit of a scrimmage at each session. If your son is craving more of a traditional experience, he might be disappointed. But if he would be excited to be paired with a "big kid" for drills and practice, he could find it really fun? (The HS volunteers are all talented players.)

[Anonymous]

I can’t comment on TOPS, but from my experience, an athletic kid with ADHD can play a team sport successfully, even at a high level, if you’re willing to supplement with a lot of extra clinics and privates. ADHD puts them at a disadvantage in the mental game (slow processing speed, poor spatial awareness, lack of consistent focus), but if they can overcompensate with athleticism and skills, they can hang in there. Even though it's been a struggle for my kid and the rest of the family (time and money), my ADHD kid has benefited from playing a competitive team sport.

[Anonymous]

My daughter volunteers, so that's where my knowledge comes from. She paints it mainly as volunteers working with younger kids on drills, but with the focus being on interaction and fun and the drills being very secondary. It's a very popular volunteer opportunity and there may be two or three helpers per player so the kid will get a lot of attention.

[Anonymous]

My son has severe ADHD and struggles with other sports for the same reasons you listed. He does TOP soccer and LOVES it. He really enjoys the one on one with the teens and even though there are no actual soccer matches or anything, we enjoy it because we honestly find it to be a stress free activity where we don't have to worry about safety (t-ball/baseball) or that he will lose interest too quickly and become a distraction.

As far as your child being the highest functioning, maybe. For us we like the idea that we don't need to stress when he randomly stops to start picking weeds. Nobody cares, everyone is interested in having fun, the kids are laughing, it's nice. If he expresses interest down the road in a more competitive environment, we'll make the move but so far for grades K-2 he's been really happy interacting with kids of all ages and getting a teen buddy one on one. YMMV