Imagine that you are living inside of a video game, where everything is coming at you at once and every sight, sound and sensation is a distraction. For a child with ADHD, getting through a typical day is something like that—and it explains a great deal about how they experience the world. Children with ADHD typically have impairment of functions such as concentration, memory, impulse control, processing speed and an inability to follow directions. If you’re a parent of a child with ADD or ADHD, this most likely sounds all too familiar. Over the years, you’ve probably struggled through homework sessions with your child, tried (and failed) to get them to complete certain tasks like cleaning their room or finishing yard work, and on more than one occasion, you’ve probably felt completely drained by their high energy and seeming inability to focus.
“Cognitive exercises have been found to produce desired changes in not only how the brain works, but how it looks. What this means is that you have the ability to work with your child to help improve their ADHD symptoms.”
The good news is, there is something you can do to help your ADHD child improve their concentration skills. For years it was thought that each of us was born with a generous supply of brain cells, but that we were unable to produce additional cells or make changes in how they function. Fairly recently, neuroscientists discovered the presence of something called “neuroplasticity” which enables the brain to actually grow additional cells or modify the function of existing cells. Amazingly, cognitive exercises have been found to produce desired changes in not only how the brain works, but how it looks. What this means for parents is that you now have the ability to work with your child to help improve their ADHD symptoms.
As a child psychologist and the father of a son with ADHD, I developed a host of exercises that help ADHD kids improve their concentration. The key is presenting them as games that are actually fun for parents and children to do together.
Here are a few simple suggestions to get you started:
1. The Coin Game: This is one of the games that we use in the Total Focus Program. Parents like it because it improves memory and sequencing as well as attention and concentration, and kids enjoy it because it’s fast-paced and fun. First, you will need a small pile of assorted coins, a cardboard sheet to cover them, and a stopwatch (or a regular watch with a second hand.) Choose five of the coins from the pile (for this example, we’ll say three pennies and two nickels) and put them into a sequence. Now, tell your child to “Look carefully at the coins arranged on the table.” Then, cover the coins with the cardboard. Start the stopwatch, and then ask them to make the same pattern using the coins from the pile. When they are finished, mark the time with the stopwatch and remove the cardboard cover. Write down the time it took them to complete the pattern and whether or not they were correct. If they didn’t complete it correctly, have them keep trying until they can do it. You can increase the difficulty of the patterns as you go, and include pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars. You’ll see your child’s concentration and sequencing improve the more they play, which is a great reward for both of you.
2. Relaxation and Positive Imagery: Combining simple relaxation techniques such as deep breathing with positive visual imagery helps the brain to improve or learn new skills. For instance, research shows that if a person mentally practices their golf swing, the brain actually records the imaginary trials the same as if they were real trials which leads to improvement on the golf course. So ADHD kids can “imagine” that they’re paying attention in class or able to handle teasing, and this can in turn change their behavior at school. You and your child can use your own creativity and give this a try.
3. Mind - Body Integration: An example of this technique would be to have your child attempt to sit in a chair without moving. The parent times how long the child is able to accomplish this. Repeated practice over several weeks will show improvement. Through this activity, the neural connections between the brain and body are strengthened, providing improved self-control.
4. Crossword Puzzles and Picture Puzzles: It sounds simple, but these are great tools for kids with ADHD. Crossword puzzles actually improve attention for words and sequencing ability, while picture puzzles—in which your younger child has to look for things that are “wrong” in the picture or look for hard-to-find objects—also improve attention and concentration.
5. Memory and Concentration Games: Children’s games such as Memory or Simon are great ideas for improving memory and concentration. They are quick and fun. Memory motivates the child to remember the location of picture squares and Simon helps them memorize sequences of visual and auditory stimuli. Through repeated playing, brain circuits are “exercised” and challenged, which strengthens connections and thus improves function. Also, there are some free computer games on the internet that also improve concentration or memory: Memory, Mosquito Killer and Memorizer. For older children and adolescents, check out the cognitive exercises provided by Lumosity.
As you do all of these “brain exercises,” you should work together with your child serving as his or her “coach.” Provide them with encouragement and track their progress as they improve. This is a win/win solution, because it also strengthens the relationship you have with your child.
Go ahead. Have some fun. Do the exercises along with your child, and who knows, you may find your brain will work a little faster and smarter, too!
These suggestions are provided as activities to supplement medical and/or psychological treatment provided under the guidance of a physician or psychologist. They will enhance the benefits of the treatment but will not on their own resolve serious symptoms for a child who has been accurately diagnosed with ADHD.
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sounds simple for parents to do with children
I have tried a few and they really do work
Keep trying, never give in
Comment By : Barbel
It's great to get ideas on things we as parents can do to encourage and help our children succeed.
Comment By : janies
The article was very well done.I would like to see more info on self esteem and the adhd child. Be very patient with your child(ren) and try to see where they are coming from.
Comment By : BEN
Maybe I'm in a different universe, but I can't imagine my highly active son willingly sitting and participating with activities like these. I'm already exhausted from trying to maintain sticker charts, find appropriate prizes and consequences and also maintain a household. I think a child would need some internal motivation to participate in activities like these, and I don't think most kids think they need to "change".
Comment By : MomCooks
My 11 year old son with ADHD refuses, even with encouragemnet, to do puzzles and play most games. I think he finds it frustrating and it is difficult for him to sit and focus on games and puzzles. He would much rather spend his spare time on his skateboard. It is very discouraging when parents try so hard to help their children and they don't want the help.
Comment By : Kirsten
These are good ideas that should be tried. You never know which activity will click into a childs brain.
Comment By : karen
What do you do about adults with ADHD. I always felt my 38 year old son had the disorder, but doctors said he did not. He always had a problem concentrating and focusing on tasks. He is and always was very impulsive and showed a lack of processing information and thoughts. Even today he has difficulty making appropriate decisions. He always had trouble following directions. Is there any help for him at this age? Could it be ADHD or just a lack of self-control or ineffective parenting?
Comment By : Barb
All of these sound exciting. Do they work for an 11 year old?
Comment By : robbie
Thank you emailing me this article. It is very informative. I often wonder what I can do to help my child. These games are worth a try. Please keep these articles coming.
Comment By : mv
I found this article interesting in the fact that my son has been "diagnosed" with ADHD by 3 seperate Dr.'s, all who have known my son for SHORT periods of time and who have decided to diagnose him with a short test of questions done both by his teachers and my husband and I. We do not see the relevance of the tests because they do not do any type of "brainwave diagnosing" to prove we are actually dealing with a medical disorder. My son does have the difficulty in following directions and also has impulse behavior issues. He is however VERY GOOD at retention and memory. Does this mean he has been incorrectly diagnosed? I am struggling with the idea of putting him on medication for ADHD, but feel as if I do nothing, I am hindering him from being all that he has the potential to be... Any suggestions?
Comment By : mother desperate for answers
* Dear Mother Desperate for Answers: Actually the doctors are following the correct procedure. The surveys in conjunction with a developmental history and an H&P to rule out other causes for the symptoms are all that is required. I would add psycho-educational testing which can be done by the school district to rule out learning disabilities. Many parents would like to have a blood test or radiological or brain wave test to help with the diagnosis. Unfortunately there are NO such tests available. In fact, there are some practitioners using some of these techniques with highly questionable results. The procedure above when performed by an experienced pediatrician, family doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist should yield a valid diagnosis.
Comment By : Dr. Bob
* To MomCooks:
I agree. It can be challenging to get very active children to participate in some of these concentration building activities. In my experience, I’ve found that families sometimes have to take a step back and do a bit of a “family makeover” to get everyone on the team, so that all the attention is not focused on the child with ADHD. Sometimes kids need to be motivated before you begin with focusing exercises. I use a “pep talk” to help children understand the purpose and the worth of doing the exercises. I invite parents to serve as a coach and keep score, which shows improvement. I also recommend the use of a reward now and then to motivate a child to get started and keep going. I really believe it’s important to take a comprehensive approach to working with children with ADHD. We have to address all the aspects of the situation: the family, the child’s motivation and the child’s desire to succeed. In Total Focus, we use this comprehensive approach, along with cognitive training exercises like those listed here, and also (just as important), relaxation techniques to help children who have difficulty with staying calm. Hope this helps! And, to "Robbie," who wanted to know what age range these activities are for: The video games, especially those on Lumosity, are great for 11-year-olds as are the relaxation and visualization and crosswords. While the others may seem too juvenile for an 11-year-old, if he is willing to do them, they will work also. Good Luck!
Comment By : Dr. Bob