For children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), adhering to traditional standards of productivity and behavior can be difficult. Most commonly, doctors encourage individuals with ADHD to take certain prescription medicines to help combat more severe symptoms.
As a supplement to such treatment, various sports are often regarded as beneficial to children with ADHD as these activities encourage communication, physical activity, and clear attention. The martial arts are a popular choice for children with ADHD because they foster these things and more.
Promoting Individual Growth
One of the detriments of modern education is that students are often prone to comparing themselves to others. In martial arts, there are standards and specific goals when it comes to achieving certain belts or certifications, but these assessments are purely individual. Students of the martial arts are encouraged to consider only their own growth and success. Because of the tendency for children with ADHD to struggle in academic settings, they may feel inadequate when comparing themselves to their peers. In the martial arts, however, the environment is encouraging and growth-oriented, prompting individuals to focus only on themselves.
Facilitating Social Interaction
Communication is an essential life skill that can be difficult for children with ADHD to develop. By enrolling them in a martial arts class, you can encourage your children to regularly engage with others in a structured environment that allows for positive interaction and feedback as well as mutual respect, teamwork, and leadership. Many sports provide opportunities for such skills, but martial arts are rooted in discipline and accountability, meaning children with ADHD can learn responsibility and patience while engaging in a fun sport.
Combatting Impulsivity & Hyperactivity
Two key aspects of ADHD is hyperactivity and impulsivity which can lead to disruption and distraction, especially in a restrictive environment. The structure of a martial arts class can be more appealing to a child with ADHD as such classes tend to promote patience, repetition, and constructive activity. Associating a martial art with these values and practices can help condition children to remember they can express themselves through a productive physical activity.
Treating ADHD can be done in a variety of ways. Incorporating multiple methods of treatment like medication and athletics can help individuals with ADHD better manage their lives. For children (with or without ADHD), the martial arts are an excellent option as they can teach valuable life lessons while imparting important values and practices on each student.
Javill Byron is an accomplished martial artists, entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist based in Miami. As the owner of Top Shot Miami and WMB Martial Arts, Javill strives to serve as a valuable resource for individuals who want to improve their physical abilities and learn to protect themselves. Javill is especially passionate about helping children with disabilities and children who are bullied.
As a philanthropy-minded person, Javill Byron devotes much of his time to his nonprofit, WMB Foundation, Inc., which provides services to families and children diagnosed with ADHD, ADD, or Autism and aims to promote academic success and generally enrich their lives.