Why Children with ADHD Need More Play

Over recent years, ADHD diagnoses have been on the rise. It could be the result of more awareness or more children developing symptoms requiring evaluation. Whatever the reason, it isn’t showing any sign of decreasing any time soon.

Common symptoms experienced by children who live with ADHD include attention struggles, hyperactivity, forgetfulness, and flighty or ditzy behaviors. There are various strategies that can help reduce symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.

One of those strategies is play. Here’s a deeper look at the benefits of play with ADHD.

Cognitive Benefits

Play is an important part of all aspects of childhood development. For those with ADHD, it can be even more crucial in supporting their development with a neurodivergent brain.

Engaging in play can help further develop the ability to focus or maintain attention to a task. Rules of structured play can offer guidance to help sustain focus on a game or activity. Learning how to engage with others helps develop taking turns and controlling impulses that deter attention.
Play can help improve problem-solving skills, which often are a challenge. Puzzles and games provide opportunities to think creatively and make mistakes in a structured environment. Trial and error in these instances teach children how to work through their activity and find a solution.
Certain play activities can stimulate the development of communication skills. Children often incorporate role-playing into their playtime. This can lead to the further development of language, tone, and back-and-forth conversation.
Toys and games that require some semblance of structure can help those with ADHD develop time management and organizational skills. Many children also find comfort in the rules of a game.

Physical Benefits

Children with ADHD are often characterized by being high-energy and overly active. While ADHD is thought to be more of a mental health condition, play can offer many benefits in the physical realm as well.

Through play, children can have an outlet for their extra energy. When they have an opportunity to burn through the extra energy that their bodies can’t process, they will be better prepared to attend to cognitive tasks that require attention. If they are displaying excessive behaviors, these may also improve.
When engaging in play more consistently, children with hyperactivity often experience a reduction in symptoms.
Some children with ADHD experience a delay in motor skills. Outdoor activities encourage children to run, jump, climb, and coordinate movements. Physical games or sports can improve muscle activation, endurance, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills.

Emotional Benefits

For a child navigating ADHD, symptoms and criticism of those symptoms can be emotionally taxing. People with ADHD typically have difficulty with emotional regulation, but play offers an opportunity to experience and process heightened emotions in a safe environment.

While stress is more often associated with adults, children experience their fair share, especially those navigating their world with ADHD. Play offers an outlet to reduce stress through distraction, movement, and creativity.
Play with others allows children to interact and learn how to manage their emotions. Sharing, not getting their way, and learning new perspectives can increase emotional intelligence.
Children with ADHD often find it challenging to engage in social situations fully. Playtime helps to develop important social skills that are necessary for navigating life. It can reduce impulsivity, promote turn-taking, and offer a means to develop deeper friendships.

ADHD poses many challenges for children learning how to navigate their world. Symptoms can make reaching certain developmental milestones a bit harder or delayed. No parent wants to see their child struggle. One important step to take is to encourage more playtime. The next important step may be seeking therapeutic options.

Through therapy geared towards ADHD, we can work on different play techniques and symptom management. If you are considering therapy for your child or even yourself, schedule an appointment with us today by clicking the button below. You can read more about play therapy on our child therapy specialty page.