Young Children with ADHD

[dln22]

Hi

Currently I am in my final year of university, and working on a major project about children with ADHD specifically between the ages of 4 and 9. I was hoping to gain some inside knowledge and help for my project research. My project aim is to successfully design and develop a product which aids children with ADHD to engage in a task or activity without being distracted (e.g. helping them to complete homework and educational tasks). I have already done some secondary research and looked at products already on the market however by conversing with the parents who are willing to help I believe this would help me further into understanding the condition as well as allowing me to gain further knowledge in how well products on the market are useful. I have a few questions which I will list below.
This would be a huge support for my project and it is highly appreciated.

1. Firstly, how old is your child?
   
2. What steps/stages do you take in order to get your child to listen or engage in an activity?
   
3. Are there any specific products/toys you currently use or have used in the past to help them concentrate?
   
4. Are there any ideas of products you would want to find on the market that you think would be beneficial?
   
5. Currently I am working on designing and developing an educational product for children with ADHD to exercise their mind. Any suggestions on what type of product would be beneficial? E.g. Fidget toys, Reward systems, squeezable (e.g. stress balls) other? If other, please state suggestion.
   
   Any help is greatly appreciated.
   
   If you would be willing to help further for this project please contact me or leave contact details.
   
   Thank you!

[Bizzysocks]

1.My son is 5 and hasn't be diagnosed as yet but has been referred for assessment by other professionals who think he will have it.

1. If say I want him to do some homework, I will give him the choice do it now or later (ie after the park/after dinner/ in half an hour) if he chooses later (usually ) I will say five mins before , he will often decide to do it at the 5 minute stage or when the time is up. Or sometimes it's like pulling teeth.
   

1. I use a mix of star charts and a marble jars at home.
   

He has an aray of fidget things at school, with I believe little success. I have recently taken a wobble cushion in to see if that will help at carpet time. It worked for today.
He has a mermaid sequin cushion at home which he loves I'm taking a smaller version to school to see if that will help for carpet time.

1. No ideas
   

1. For my son it would need to be a variety of things , things work for a short time then he gets board and needs something else.
   

Interested to read other replis. Good luck with your course.

[Allthewaves]

1)Firstly, how old is your child?
9 years old, diagnosed adhd, on meds for school

2)What steps/stages do you take in order to get your child to listen or engage in an activity?
Ensure eye contact when explaining, using his name, asking if he's understood each step - getting him to repeat if required. Ideally using ipad or electronic device helps.

3)Are there any specific products/toys you currently use or have used in the past to help them concentrate?
Ds has rubber fidget toys. At school he uses with be cushion and rubber band for his chair.

4)Are there any ideas of products you would want to find on the market that you think would be beneficial?
Tbh havnt thought about it but ds is getting embarrassed about his adhd so would have to be discreet.

5)Currently I am working on designing and developing an educational product for children with ADHD to exercise their mind. Any suggestions on what type of product would be beneficial?
Reward would have to be immediate. Ds like his schools bug club (activelearnprimary). You read online book and earn point for online game thing.