Hobbies

[fizzypop1]

Hello - my DS is 7 nearly 8 and I am keen to get him involved in some extracurricular activities but am struggling for ideas. He has A diagnosis of ADHD, hypermobility and has low muscle tone and co-ordination issues. He also has social communication problems. He goes swimming but finds this very hard and doesn't enjoy it and he goes to gym on a Saturday morning which he finds hard but does seem to enjoy the class. I would like him to do something after school that is not football, rugby or similar as he struggles to keep up and gets anxious. Does anyone have any thoughts. His older sister does so many activities and do always feel guilty that he sends his evening dropping her off and picking her up from clubs. He has been on the list for Beavers but not got a place and we are waiting on cubs but not sure when he might get a place.

You say that you would like him to do something after school, but does he want to do clubs/activities or would be rather have or benefit from more downtime? Don't underestimate how exhausting getting through a school day will be for him.

My son loves cubs, hopefully your son will get a place soon. Does his school offer after school clubs? My son enjoys Spanish after school club and it is only an hour. I give him some snacks to keep hunger at bay and he always comes out happy. Maybe a local code club?

Ds loves cubs too. He tends to do clubs in school in the hour fter school has finished like coding, music, craft club.

Perhaps music lessons?

Eldest ds like online gaming. I wouldn't stress too much. Eldest ds could do a club every night of the wk if not two a night. But my middle ds with hfasd and poss adhd get tired quickly and one activity after school a wk is enough for him.

Thanks for your messages - all the school clubs are sports orientated and he is not keen but I think he would enjoy having something of his own to do outside of school. I have thought about music but he has so many problems with co-ordination and isolating his fingers that I think he would find it difficult and may then not enjoy it.

Judo has been a surprisingly positive experience for us!

Horse riding is supposed to be v good for sn kids and you can sometimes find free sessions.

Climbing is good for muscle tone etc. Our ot does sessions

Trampolining
Kids Yoga

I was going to suggest something like Judo or maybe trampolining (which I was quite good at as a child despite having terrible coordination). They're all solo so hopefully the anxiety wouldn't be so bad, but still a bit different from school?

Another vote for Judo and horse riding here, anything that avoids team ball sports will be good, because he'll progress at his own pace and may well surprise you.