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Parent-Child Sports As A Treatment Method for ADD or ADHD

By Jane Sandwood

The benefits of sports for children with ADD/ADHD are long documented; however, many experts recommend that parents play activities alongside their children to improve their focus. Since students with ADD/ADHD respond best to caring attitudes and individualised guidance, they benefit from the personal instruction of a parent teaching the ropes of a sport to their child. In particular, the guided focus and attention of one-on-one sports, such as golf or doubles tennis, helps children to stay on task via tailored instruction.

Look for Sports that Offer Individual Attention

One option for playing sports with your child diagnosed with ADD/ADHD would be to teach them the sport you know best. Many sports psychologists identify family ties as a key factor for developing sports-based identity and team affiliation, which is why children often root for the same Premier League clubs as their parents. However, when looking for a new sport to play with your child, it is a good idea to consider activities that involve one-on-one guidance and fine-motor skills. In this respect, golf is a good option because the sport requires deft fine motor ability, a skill that your child can hone over time. For players new to the sport of golf, the sport requires golfers to quickly develop muscle memory, which can improve your child’s hand-eye coordination through routine practice. Tennis is another good option for parents aiming to improve their child’s hand-eye coordination---especially doubles tennis, which functions as a team-building exercise between you and your child.

Cultivating Shared Bonding Experiences

Apart from the physical benefits of exercise and increased focus that come with sports, the very act of playing a sport with your child yields another important goal: to increase the amount of time your child receives positive and individualised attention. Children with ADD/ADHD, especially those who show signs of behavior problems, respond best to positive attention from parents focused on their individual needs. While it may not be possible to spend time alone doing an activity with your child every day, setting a time to spend with your child each week will add structure to their routine and strengthen the time you spend together.

Ultimately, your child will benefit from careful guidance individual attention in whatever form you choose to give it. But for children with ADD/ADHD, playing sports together can help form deepened bonds while improving focus and coordination. Consider investing the energy into teaching your child a sport to maximise the time you share together.

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