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