Other Considerations

Exercise

•     Exercise is considered an important part of management.

•     ‘Rough and tumble” play therapy reduces hyperactivity and excess playfulness.

•     Exercise regimes that increase co-ordination and balance should be encouraged.

•    Encourage swimming (e.g. breaststroke) as this is calming and opens up the body and moves energy out, and is not a controlling action.

•    Martial arts training may be helpful to teach discipline.

•    Vigorous exercise on a daily basis is extremely helpful not only for the cardiovascular benefits but also because exercise helps increase arousal and enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which facilitates memory and learning. Providing the child with opportunities to move around after working on a project for a given length of time is helpful. However, many parents have difficulty finding time for their own exercise program, let alone developing one for their children.

Massage

Massage has been shown to increase serotonin levels, which may modulate dopamine levels in children with ADHD. One study demonstrated increased concentration and decreased hyperactivity in children with ADHD following a 15-minute massage for 10 consecutive school days.