Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD, is associated with the inability to concentrate and focus. This makes following directions a real issue. Playing and participating in a sport or being on a team may, therefore, become problematic. However, there are some ADHD friendly sports and activities that can be beneficial.
ADHD Friendly Sports
ADHD normally co-exists with other disabilities such as impulsivity, low-frustration tolerance, spatial awareness, and more. This makes some sports not as good of a fit as others. For example, playing a team sport that requires learning plays, strategizing, and anticipating moves, such as Basketball, may not be suggested.
Things To Consider
High Intensity Sports
Some sports may be better than others for adults and children with ADHD. For example, high intensity sports that involve a lot of action may assist a child. Whereas a sport such as baseball, which is slower and involves a lot of waiting around poses more of a problem.
Engaging in a game of ice hockey may be the perfect sport of choice for either an adult or a child with ADHD. The intensity of the game and the constant movement may be well suited to them.
Sports such as soccer and LaCrosse are also good choices. Running around on a field where there is constant action may offer a benefit for those with ADHD, both adult and child.
Individual Sports
A person with ADHD may also want to consider some options other than fast-paced, fast-moving sports such as lacrosse, hockey or soccer.
Bowling, tennis, gymnastics, wrestling, martial arts, and swimming are all great individual sport options for those with ADHD. The benefits include the use of gross motor skills, low level of distractibility, complexity, and frustration factor.
Whether you are considering a high intensity sport such as hockey or an individual sport such as swimming, being involved and active in sports regardless of having ADHD is imperative to social and emotional wellbeing.
I have found my daughter accelerates in swimming, tennis, and lacrosse. They’ve benefited her social skills and her self-esteem.
Do you have a child with ADHD? What activities have you found beneficial for him/her?
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I’ve been looking for something like this in Swedish, but it seems impossible to find anywhere online. Luckily I speak English well enough to read blogs like yours 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
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Great post. Kids might want to try Pickleball. Since it’s normally played in doubles it’s a good compromise between individual and team sports. It is becoming more and more popular among younger players. The USAPA even recently created a Junior Association to promote the sport for kids and more and more parks are converting idle tennis courts (as tennis declines) into new pickleball courts…so really with just a simple paddle and ball it’s a great (and inexpensive) way for kids to keep active and a fun family activity
My son has ADHD and he is a huge fan of swimming.
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