You’ve probably told your child to sit still and focus so that he or she can get homework done. Anyone with ADHD is no stranger to well-meaning statements like, “If you try hard enough and concentrate, you can become whatever you want to be.” However, relying on mind over matter can be frustrating and downright discouraging for someone with ADHD; after all, their distractible and inattentive brains aren’t exactly their biggest assets. But what if there was a way to use fidgeting as a means to improve focus?
Current research shows that fidgeting is actually beneficial for children with ADHD. In her book ADHD and Education, Dr. Sydney Zentall observed that inattention increases when a task is repetitive, lengthy, and familiar. Basically, a child with ADHD tunes out when a task becomes boring. According to her research, an activity that uses another sense besides the one required for the primary task – e.g. listening to music while reading a textbook – improves the academic performance of children with ADHD. In other words, doing a secondary activity along with a primary one helps the brain focus on the latter. This secondary activity can be referred to as “distractions” or “fidgets”.
Fidgeting is a conscious, mindless activity you do while you work on a primary task. Fidgeting does not necessarily refer to wriggling in one’s seat; it’s doodling while talking on the phone or pacing while studying for a test. In order to be effective and constructive, fidgeting has to be a deliberate act. At the same time, it shouldn’t take attention away from the task at hand; fidgeting has to be an activity you don’t even think about.
To help your child use fidgets to self-regulate their symptoms, you first need to accept that children require these sensory-motor activities to help them function well. Don’t tell your child to “Sit still!” or “Look at me when I talk to you.” Acknowledge that these activities are not signs of disrespect, but a way for the child to adjust when they have difficulty sustaining their attention.
Explore different strategies and encourage your child to try new ways to fidget. Here are some fidgets that might work
Talk while walking
If your child tends to tune out when you give instructions or try to have an important conversation, see if his or her attention improves if you walk while you talk. Other non-strenuous activity like doing a puzzle together or playing catch will also work. This strategy will make it easier to talk about how your child’s day went or other important matters.
Encourage doodling
Tell your child to try doodling pictures or words while listening to a boring lecture in class. Doodling is one of the best fidgets and least intrusive one for improved focus.
Buy fidget toys
Busying one’s hands also facilitates focus when a child is listening or thinking about how to answer a question. Fidget toys can be anything, really – a hand-sized plushie, a small rock, even mundane objects like paper clips. Just make sure these fidgets are small enough to fit into your child’s pocket, allowing him or her to use them without distracting classmates.
Listen to music
Try playing music when your child does homework or chores – something with a steady beat that isn’t too loud or too fast. Try BrainBalance Music, specialized music designed by Dr. Robert Melillo’s work on sound frequencies and brain function. According to his research, the two hemispheres of the brain become stimulated by certain sound types and frequencies, which is critical to overcome attention problems. For more information, visit i-waveonline.com.
Chew gum
Moving the mouth will help your child concentrate for an extended period of time. If your child’s teacher gets distracted by the sound of gum chewing, have your child suck on a hard candy instead.
Beat the time
Turn household work into a fun game! When doing chores, challenge your child by setting an alarm and racing to get the task done before the time is up. To sweeten the deal, offer a small reward if your child finishes on time.