Exercise for ADHD

Unless you live under a rock, do not own a television set and/or did not read the newspaper, you have heard plenty about Michael Phelps, the swimming superstar extraordinaire who this month added eight gold medals during the 2008 summer Olympics to his stockpile of six gold and two bronze medals from the 2004 Olympics.



What you might not know about Michael Phelps is that he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) when he was 9 years old. Phelps used a combination of medication, behavioral therapy and swimming. Phelps was able to manage his ADHD without the medication by the time he was 11 years old.



Mother Debbie Phelps shares her insight and experience with other moms on her website, ADHD Moms. Debbie and Michael Phelps' willingness to share their ADHD struggles highlights the fact that people can and do succeed in spite of, and because of, their ADD or ADHD.



Getting through the school day can be a struggle for kids with ADHD -- but after-school activities don't have to be. Given the right activity and adequate support, kids with ADHD can shine.



ADHD made it nearly impossible for Phelps to sit still in the classroom, or to grasp abstract concepts on the athletic field. In the pool Phelps found extraordinary focus and drive.



Many ADHD kids will not be "winners" inside the classroom. The task is to find winning opportunities outside the classroom. The right sport will build self-esteem, self-control and a sense of accomplishment. The right sport will help your child feel like a winner.



Conversely, the "wrong" sport can produce the opposite effect. Which sport is best for your child? That depends entirely on your child. While no single activity will guarantee instant success for ADHD kids, certain types of activities tend to reap more positive results.



When choosing an activity, look for one that provides individualized instruction instead of group instruction. ADHD kids tend to benefit more from one-on-one instruction instead of being thrown into a mix of many children. Examples of sports with individualized attention include diving, wrestling, tennis, and martial arts.



Single focus activities like archery, swimming, and running makes it easier for kids who struggle with inattention and concentration. Sports like basketball and soccer require too much divided attention.



ADHD children tend to prefer activities that involve movement, like swimming and running, compared to sports that involve too much down time. Baseball is a sport with a lot of down time, especially if your child is in a position that does not see much action. There is potential for trouble if your child spends too much time on the bench in basketball or soccer.



Highly structured activities that promote self-control, like martial arts, are excellent activities for ADHD children. Martial arts develop increasing levels of physical control through self-discipline and practice.



If your child is hyperactive and needs to burn energy, you might first try swimming, running, bicycling or other high-energy sports. If impulsivity is the biggest challenge, try martial arts or wrestling. Archery, tennis and diving are great sports for children who struggle most with inattention.



Phelps will likely make an excess of $100 million annually over the next few years as a result of his extraordinary swimming accomplishments. How many of his elementary school classmates can match that?



So what does Michael Phelps and ADHD have to do with Labrador Retriever puppies? If you have ever raised a lab puppy, you wouldn't have to ask. Labrador Retrievers are well known for their rowdy, hyperactive, naughty puppy behavior. A little yellow Labrador recently made its way into our hearts. There was a marked similarity between this puppy and my ADHD son's behavior. Both bounced from sun up to sun down without ever tiring.



We found that a morning run produces a more mellow puppy throughout the day. This tactic of running energy out of the puppy is the same tactic I used 10 years ago when my ADHD child got a little too out of control. If you have a can't sit still, can't keep hands to themselves, can't keep quiet child, get them into a daily routine of breaking a sweat. I promise that your child will be happier, healthier and calmer as a result. Exercise is a known stress-buster so parents of ADHD children can also benefit from exercise. Make it a family event and watch the family calm down.