Suggested activities for a child with ADHD

[TheTenantOfWildfellHall]

Hi I'm hoping someone on here can help with this.

We are having my DH's nephew to stay this weekend. He is 7 and has been diagnosed with ADHD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder and something else.

We've asked his parents what sort of things he likes to do and all they've said is that he likes video games and watching TV but that he doesn't like football. I don't think they really do anything else because they are very much geared around football for their other boys and it takes up a lot of their free time.

I'd really like to take him out to the park or to an outdoor place where he can let off a bit of steam and participate in problem solving activities, DH is a bit concerned about taking him out and would rather do an house based activity, e.g. baking biscuits and playing with lego etc (neither of which he does at home).

I'm happy to do either, but I want to make sure he has enough to keep him occupied and enjoys himself. We're hoping that it will go well and we can make it a regular thing.

So I hope you don't mind me asking, but I'd really appreciate it if anyone could share activities they do with their child to give me some more ideas.

Thanks a lot. x

Ds1 has ADHD and ODD and I very much doubt lego and baking will be a good idea. Ds loves watersports, wall climbing, kite flying, pretty much anything energetic and daring. Kids with ADHD have little sense of danger and love extreme sports and alike. As long as you stick to what has been decided when you go out everything should be fine, he may try and push the boundaries with you to start with but stay firm and he will understand where he stands with you. Where abouts are you? Maybe someone on here could give some recommendations of places to go.

Hi thanks for that.

I think it's the "energetic and daring" bit that Dh is finding a bit daunting!

We're in the West Midlands. I was thinking of Conkers or Plantasia or somewhere like that.

I just don't want to set him, or us, up to fail.

Conkers is fantastic, but check the opening times in winter as I know they closed for part of last winter.

The play area is enclosed so you should be able to keep him safe and if he is very adventurous some of the teenager assault course would be perfect. there is also an indoor play area which is again enclosed but is dark so one of you will need to stay with him so he doesn't get lost.

Good luck, be strong and have fun.

ha thanks Ineedalife. I will check out the opening times in case that's what we decide to do.

I know that DH is a bit concerned about him getting a bit carried away and hurting himself. We've only seen him in family group situations when he's always been very quiet and 'well behaved' so neither of us really know what to expect.

That last comment was in relation to your suggestion about the teenager assault course. I can imagine DH's face if Dnephew was 30 feet in the air balanced on a narrow beam behind a rope!

I think a lot depends on whether or not he has the impulsive behaviour. DS2 has the impulsive behaviour which means he is a runner - and taking him out means checking for exits/escapes, places he could run off, keeping him within catching distance at all times, being unsafe (such as we couldn't take him near somewhere like a dropoff or water or something dangerous as he would put himself in danger without a second though). It's much like childproofing for a very active and tall 2yo.

You also need to think about his particular needs - DS2 will happily climb, but then panics as he doesn't like heights. And even though you'd think "okay, don't climb then..." he just doesn't retain that. He'll do it over and over again, and then panic because he's up higher. If he has any sensory issues, you'll need to consider the impact of noise and crowds.

Are there active things you can do in your garden? Or do you have a Wii that you can play active games on - like sports or such? Yes, it's indoors, but if you're playing it together, it's more of an activity, rather than just plopping him on the video games in front of the telly, IYSWIM.

go ape?

No, not Go Ape. You need to be 10 and have the sense to clip yourself to the safety line one clip at a time. I took my DS2 with ASD when he was 11 and it was terrifying!

I'm not sure I'd be up for Go Ape!

Tbh, I don't know if he's impulsive. I suppose we might need to make sure we understand the ins and outs exactly from his parents before we have him. It's not been necessary to know it all before because they've always been there.

Thanks for the suggestions and advice though.

Yes, I would absolutely check with his parents on his specific needs (frankly, I'd be surprised if they didn't give you this information as it's quite important!). I would NEVER leave DS2 with anyone that wasn't 1-fully aware of his difficulties and 2-able to catch him when he runs and 3-had the common sense not to take him places where he could escape or get into danger. Which means not many people watch DS2 for us.

think tank? sealife?.......dd loves think tank as there is a lot of things to turn and investigate, they also have a play area with ballpit etc.

drayton manor are opening the thomas land rides and the zoo for 2 weekends in nov and they are doing a 2 for 1 offer.....

Think tank is good! We like Explore @Bristol as well. Depends where abouts you are? Science Museum in London is fab, too.

DS1 is 7 and has ADHD and ASD and loves lego and baking, but this is stuff he's done since he was tiny. He also likes going for long walks, but does need a lot of individual attention when out and about - I sometimes feel frustratingly outnumbered simply walking him and DS2 (ASD) home from school because he is so bouncy and inattentive.