| Most forward-thinking teachers and instructors | | | | social skills. Music, art or dance can help a child with |
| understand how to meet the special needs of children | | | | ADHD keep busy and entertained, while providing a |
| with ADHD. Unfortunately, many parents don't. | | | | valuable sense of self-worth and accomplishment. |
| ADHD is an acronym for Attention Deficit | | | | Scouting is another good after-school option. Girl |
| Hyperactivity Disorder. Children with ADHD struggle | | | | Scouts, Boy Scouts and other community-oriented |
| with attention problems, as well as hyperactivity. | | | | clubs teach children social skills and personal values. |
| Teachers are trained to help ADHD kids deal with their | | | | Like all children, kids with ADHD love to take part in |
| personal obstacles and meet their learning potential. | | | | special interest projects, and help with community |
| However, parents can often find it difficult to keep | | | | efforts like park clean-up projects. |
| children safely occupied after school hours. | | | | Whatever after school program you choose, be sure |
| If your child has ADHD, the first step to choosing the | | | | to monitor your child's progress periodically. Ask your |
| right after school activity is to understand how he or | | | | child's coach, instructor or counselor for help in |
| she is affected by the condition. If your child is | | | | assessing your child's development. If you feel that he |
| interested in sports, you need to know if he or she is | | | | or she is not benefiting from the program, you may |
| put off by fierce competitiveness, or is overly | | | | need to consider changing the activity. |
| competitive. Is it easy for your child to get along with | | | | Any after school program that increases your child's |
| teammates? Does your child vocalize emotions, or is | | | | self-esteem is good, but certain activities may be |
| communication a problem? | | | | detrimental to the development of a child suffering |
| Physical exercise is beneficial to all children, and | | | | from ADHD. Excessive television use should be |
| perhaps more so for children with ADHD. Exercise can | | | | avoided, as well as certain computer and video games. |
| use up the extra energy and help stimulate the brain. | | | | These activities involve no interaction and can leave |
| Team activities offer kids to learn valuable social skills | | | | your child feeling more all the more isolated. Kids with |
| and discipline. If your child shies away from team | | | | ADHD can sometimes find it difficult to distinguish |
| sports, you may want to look at activities like | | | | between good and the bad messages, so they may |
| swimming, dancing, cycling or gymnastics. Martial arts | | | | be inclined to exhibit inappropriate actions or act out |
| are a great alternative, as they teach self-defense | | | | contrary messages. On the other hand, group activities |
| techniques along with discipline, patience and | | | | that require a child to sit and wait patiently for his or |
| self-control. | | | | her turn might not be a success. |
| Some kids tend to gravitate towards fine arts rather | | | | Children with ADHD are normal kids facing above |
| than athletics. There are wonderful after school | | | | average challenges. It is important to allow them to |
| opportunities for artistic kids with ADHD. Acting or | | | | take part with their peers in regular after school |
| improv classes provide a great form of creative | | | | programs. Take the time to review options with your |
| expression and exercise. Drama classes can also | | | | child, and choose after school activities that are fulfilling, |
| provide the child with ample opportunity to develop | | | | challenging and above all, rewarding. |