On his blog, Hunter in a Farmer's World, Chris G. writes about life as the father of two children with ADHD (one of whom has also been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome). On June 2, Chris G. -- who suffers from ADHD himself -- wrote about an activity that he and his family have been enjoying together, and which he believes may be particularly suited to other families who have been affected by ADHD: geocaching.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt in which the participants use a GPS, or a global positioning system receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers called geocaches or caches, anywhere in the world. Typically, the cache is a small waterproof container holding a logbook and some small trinkets as the treasure.

This game became popular after the GPS satellite systems were upgraded to become more accurate, around 10 years ago. Currently, there are over 814,000 active caches hidden around the world.

So why do these games seem well suited for the ADHDr's of the world? It is suitable for the young to the old. Some caches are considered "park and grabs," meaning that you can practically pull your car right up to the site. Others are more challenging, requiring a hike into deep woods or mountains. They often get us out into the therapeutic, green outdoors.

And lastly, the novelty of each adventure seems to keep the attention of the ADHDr's, with our curiosity getting the best of us.

For more information about this intriguing and innovative activity, check out one of the many websites that are dedicated to geocaching.

Labels: activities, Attention_Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder, families

A new study out of the University of Central Florida has found that kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder focus better when they're moving, which may explain the "hyperactivity" part of ADHD.

"In studies of 8- to 12-year old boys... children with and without ADHD sat relatively still while watching Star Wars... All of the children became more active when they were required to remember and manipulate computer-generated letters, numbers and shapes... Children with ADHD became significantly more active..."

The study indicates that a child with ADHD needs to move more in order to stay alert and perform tasks requiring working memory. The findings indicate that kids with ADHD may be more productive if allowed to fidget, as long as their behavior doesn't become destructive. Source: Psych Central

Labels: activities, exercise, memory

Children who are good at object control skills, such as catching, throwing, and kicking balls, are more likely to become active and participate in sports as teenagers.

Researchers in Australia tested 276 elementary school children for those three skills as well as their abilities in locomotion, including hopping, sprinting, and jumping. Five years later, children who showed good object control tended to participate more in sports and exercise programs.

This study appears in the journal Medicine and Sports.

Labels: activities, exercise, sports

Swimmer Michael Phelps has been at the center of considerable public attention since his record-setting performance during the Beijing Olympics. Part of this publicity has focused on Phelps' struggle with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and how swimming helped him. Now, Nikki Miller, a licensed psychotherapist, gives credence to those claims.

"Of the 12 symptom areas of ADD/ADHD, swimming aids in:... alertness. Have you ever splashed water on your face to wake up? Often, the hyperactivity of a child is an effort to keep the brain 'awake'... In water, there is no need. In fact, hydrostatic pressure and resistance in water slows the world down, and can be quite calming and soothing to someone who always has to be wound up to stay awake."

Swimming can also help with focus, mental activation, processing depth and detail, saliency determinations, self-monitoring, and more, Miller said. Source: The Signal (Santa Clarita, CA)

Labels: activities, exercise, swimming

Weekends, vacations, and other long breaks from school can be especially challenging for parents of children with ADHD. One recommendation is to use an individualized treatment plan that includes a medication patch like Daytrana.

"Clinical studies have shown that Daytrana's novel design provides a continuous flow of medication when worn for the 9-hour recommended wear time. Alternatively, Daytrana can be applied later in the day if the child sleeps late on weekends or start activities later during the summer or holiday season, and can still be removed at the usual time."

If your child has been prescribed ADHD medication, it's helpful if the doses can be tailored to your child's activity level and schedule. Talk with your doctor about the best options for creating an individualized treatment plan. Read more at HealthNewsDigest.com.

Specialty boarding schools, like the Cedars Academy, offer programs geared specifically for children with ADHD, learning disabilities, Asperger's Syndrome, or Non-verbal learning disorders. Learn more about their boarding schools for learning disabilities at CedarsAcademy.com.

Labels: activities, medications, treatment

When a child has ADHD, buying the right holiday gift can pose a unique challenge. Though certain kinds of toys or games may be popular, they may not be right for a child with ADHD.

"Before you set out to buy a gift, look at the child's interests. Many children with ADHD are talented in art or music. They may be creative or have interests that are not traditional. For example, many young boys enjoy cars and trucks. However, this may not be the right gift for the child you are shopping for. Rather than selecting a generic gift, find something that will motivate and inspire your child."

Watch your child at play and notice what interests her or hold his attention. It could be anything from puzzles to video games. Whatever gift you choose, be sure it's one that emphasizes the child's strengths, not his or her weaknesses or struggles with ADHD.

Wondering about buying gifts for children with Asperger's? Visit YourLittleProfessor.com for a guide to shopping for the Asperger's child.

Labels: activities, gifts, toys