There are a lot of challenges for parents with children who have been diagnosed with ADHD. Because of the stigma attached to this condition, it can often take a toll on a child’s self-esteem. On top of that, children with ADHD may have a harder time when participating in activities that other children might easily adapt to. . Swimming, however, is an activity that children with ADHD can thrive in. In fact, one of the most well-known swimmers of all time, Michael Phelps, has ADHD.
What Exactly Is ADHD?
ADHD is a brain disorder that causes children to be hyperactive, struggle with focusing and act on impulse. While these symptoms can be exhibited by most children at some point in development, the difference is that those who have ADHD experience symptoms over longer periods of time, more frequently and in a more severe capacity. Of course, this means that children who have ADHD tend to struggle academically, socially and also at home.
ADHD and Sporting Activities
One of the biggest struggles for children with ADHD is the fact that they tend to act impulsively. This means that instead of taking time to think through a process or strategy, they tend to act on impulse. Because of their difficulty with paying attention and staying focused, they can struggle with following directions and prefer to skip straight to whatever activity it is that they want to do.
Most sports require players to have sharp attention skills and be able to be aware of what is going on around them, which can be struggle for kids with ADHD. This can result in little attention span and motivation towards sports which can even lead to frustration and even injury.
Swimming for Children with ADHD
Children with ADHD tend to do better in sports that are oriented around individual goals instead of working together on a team with others. Sports that tend to rely on players having to stand still in specific spots, like baseball, can be very difficult for kids with ADHD. However, even though team sports are not ideally suited for these children, they can still benefit from the social aspect of sports.
One of the reasons why children with ADHD tend to do better in individual sports is because of the one-on-one attention they get from instructors. Many professional institutions, like the ones offering Boise swimming lessons, have specialty classes with semi-private or even private lessons that can greatly benefit children with these types of disorders.
Swimming is also one of the few sports that doesn’t involve a lot of physical contact and complicated rules or strategies but still provides the child with a good way to expend their energy. Many parents are surprised by the calming effect that swimming has on their children and how it can last even after the activity is well over.
