By: Tanikqua D. Moore, MD, FAAP
Long days, family vacations, hot weather and NO SCHOOL…it’s
summer time! Most children, parents and even teachers tend to forget about ADHD
during the summer because it’s of course summer vacation! But children with
ADHD display symptoms outside of the school environment. There are other
activities and tasks that require attention, focus and age
appropriate activity level other than school.
Summer camps involve making friends, reviewing academics and
recreational activities. Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity often
affect a child with ADHD in their ability to make and keep friends. Failing to
recognize subtle social cues, anxiety or bossiness may cause other children to
avoid a child with ADHD. Reviewing
social skills such as making eye contact, taking turns and not interrupting can
help to ease the difficulty associated with making and keeping friends. Many children with ADHD also have difficulty
with working memory; the ability to hold information in the mind and make it
available for further processing. Attention is an essential part of memory. Building
on information learned the previous year may be expected while participating in
certain summer camps. Help your child see how information that was taught
previously is relevant to her life or related to things she already knows will
help keep the material fresh in her mind. Most recreational activities involve
focus, following directions and teamwork. ADHD kids sometimes get lost in group
directions. One on one coaching and active demonstrations can help. Keep them
busy. Your child should have a job to do while waiting on the bench or during
downtimes: assisting scorekeepers, keeping equipment in order, anything that
will hold her interest.
Even with school being out, structure and routines can help
in terms of behavior by improving efficiency and daily functioning. Routines
make daily activities manageable, allowing your child to focus on one thing at
a time. But having time for unstructured play is beneficial as well. Unstructured
play provides breaks that shorten the day into shorter segments. Breaking daily
activities up into pieces and providing a change of pace in between can enable
the brain to focus better.
Of course, don’t forget to rest. Getting enough sleep is
essential for children with ADHD. A good night's sleep is important for a child’s
mood and brain function. Not getting enough rest can worsen ADHD symptoms,
leading to loss of emotional control. It can also adversely affect working
memory. A bedtime routine can help. Remembering not to forget about ADHD during
the summer can lead to an enjoyable summer for the whole family and preparation for
maximum success in the fall.
…dedicated to the
diagnosis and treatment of ADHD
www.focus-md.com