How Can You Help a Child With ADHD Improve their Focus?
Seeking expert strategies to enhance focus in children with ADHD, we turned to child counselors and therapy professionals for their proven tactics. From implementing structured routines to addressing sensory needs for focus, discover the top five approaches shared by our specialists, including insights from an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist.
- Implement Structured Routines
- Incorporate Sensory Movement Breaks
- Use Timers for Task Management
- Use Physical Therapy to Enhance Focus
- Address Sensory Needs for Focus
Implement Structured Routines
As a therapist who works a great deal with children with ADHD who have challenges with focus, I recommend four strategies, which I have realized to be most impactful to the progress of the child's focus capabilities. Among them are structure and routines, limiting distractions in the child's environment when greater focus is required, parents encouraging the child and validating them as they grow in their ability to self-regulate and achieve greater focus, and providing the child with opportunities to take breaks, move around, and release pent-up energy.
Among these strategies, structure and predictable routines have often been most impactful above all others (along with positive reinforcement by parents). Implementing predictable schedules for child activities, such as homework, downtime, playtime, electronics, and meals, can tremendously aid children with ADHD-related focus challenges; predictable activities reduce anxiety associated with uncertainty to help the child in being prepared for daily activities as they will learn to anticipate them, and increase follow-through and growth in focus competency.
Incorporate Sensory Movement Breaks
As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am a firm believer in using a sensory approach to promote concentration! I've seen firsthand that students are better able to focus after having the opportunity to move their bodies and stimulate their sensory systems. It is important to collaborate with teachers to incorporate movement breaks in the classroom in order to promote learning.
Use Timers for Task Management
Break down tasks into small chunks and set a timer for each chunk. This helps a child with ADHD stay focused on the task at hand and avoid feeling overwhelmed. The timer provides a clear endpoint, and the smaller chunks feel more manageable. This approach can be used for homework, chores, or any activity that requires focus.
Use Physical Therapy to Enhance Focus
Physical therapy is a great way to help kids with ADHD improve their attention and feel better overall. Research shows that exercise can reduce stress and anxiety in kids with ADHD, making it easier for them to focus and learn. Plus, physical therapy isn't just about getting stronger—it's also about making their brains work better!
There are lots of fun ways for kids to exercise, like playing games, doing yoga, or swimming. Did you know that yoga can help kids focus better? It's like magic! And when kids do breathing exercises or get massages, it helps them relax and feel better too.
By playing and moving during therapy sessions, kids with ADHD learn to control their impulses and pay attention better. Physical therapy takes a holistic approach, addressing both the physical and mental aspects of ADHD. With personalized interventions and support, physical therapists help kids with ADHD thrive in their daily lives.
Address Sensory Needs for Focus
It's important to consider the sensory needs when attempting to sustain focus. Allowing the child to be appropriately stimulated is going to allow them to feel more regulated, which in turn will make it easier to focus on the tasks at hand. Encouraging fidgeting, listening to music, pacing, or other sensory-friendly interventions can help the child feel grounded.