A study shows that physical activity – even chewing a gum or foot-tapping – boost the neurotransmitter levels of the brain’s focus and attention. It fights boredom, elevates productivity and blocks out distractions. By Roland Rotz, Ph.D., Sarah D. Wright. A person with ADHD have shared their struggles with others on concentrating at work or focus at school.
The ADHD brain is a powerful force for success. Relying on the brain is frustrating and demoralising. ADHD brains aren’t the reliable asset which distractions breaks and individual’s focus. Fidgeting or ADHD Fidgeting the hand’s increase the levels of the neurotransmitters like the way medications do. It affects the brain as much the body. According to Sydney Zentall, Ph.D. from Purdue University, children with ADHD have a big factor to succeed when given the right attention. She explains that it extends the attention “deficit” with length, familiarity, and task repetition.
Reading while listening to music is an example of a primary task that required sense while doing other activity – can develop performance in children with ADHD. Doing two tasks at once focuses on primary tasks. It is called fidgets – a mindless task while working on primary task, sensory-motor activities “distractions”. Fidgeting is more intentional.
People with ADHD: Multitasking
For some people doing one thing at a time makes them more productive but for adults and children with ADHD is usually the opposite. It is their neural diversity, we should respect people who have different needs.
When a child fidgets, it is their way to control in a constructive fashion to regulate ADHD symptoms.
Absorbing information is easy when doodling while on a class or currently on long phone calls. Encouraging respectful fidgeting means doing something that doesn’t bother others. Clicking a pen or drumming fingers on the desk could be distracting to others while wiggling toes inside your shoes would not.
To establish an effective fidgeting of a child, give the child the free will to do so. Do not stop a child from doing it, we should recognise their sensory-motor activities.
Let a child try different fidgeting, plan a strategy to encourage them. Keep in mind that not all fidgeting activities may work for them. For example, listening to music while reading may be good but a child prefers tapping his laps.
Trying other options means there’s always a better way to help a child to stay focus in school and in life
Listed are eight fidgets worth giving a shot:
1. Walk and talk.
Try talking and walking with a child when he gets restless, open up a conversation that he likes. Non-strenuous activities, like playing catch or solving a jigsaw puzzle also works. It’s a powerful strategy having a time with a child.
2. Doodle.
Let a child draw or write something like letters or numbers while listening to their teacher’s lecture. Doodling helps a person to get focus while on a long phone call with a client or in a tiring meeting.
3. Use multicoloured pens and pencils.
Completing a task or assignment or reading comprehension, underlining a favourite line or highlighting significant words are a good fidgeting way.
4. Busy your hands.
It facilitates focus while listening, talking or thinking about how to solve a tough essay question. Cool-looking pens or pencils, colourful bracelets, paper clips (can create various shapes and bind together), and clothes with fascinating textures and designs can be used as fidget toys. For adults at work, a small smooth marble in your pocket will allow you to fiddle without anyone knowing. At home, squeezing a ball that fits your hand can increase attention.
5. Tune in.
Plugging into a music player helps children on focus when studying, reading, exercising or even going to sleep. It depends on what activity you are into when exercising its good to listen to upbeat music, solemn tune for sleeping and mid-tempo music when reading or studying. Using this strategy at work and a little conversation with colleagues.
6. Chew gum.
Chewing a gum helps a child to concentrate for a long period of time. It is effective in the office when doing a task, or if you don’t chew gums, a candy or lemon will do the trick.
7. Beat the clock.
Setting up a timer for 20 minutes and getting as many things to be done until the timer runs out. An adult can do this by accomplishing boring chores – cleaning the dishes or running errands. A child can race the timer when doing assignments, memorising or cleaning up a room.
8. Stand up or move around.
Ask a teacher to let your child stand and move around when necessary during classes. Some teachers let a child change seats when needed. Other teachers create a made-up errand to be done by a child who is restless.
If you have a hard time focusing at work, have a coffee break or go to the washroom as an excuse to stand and walk around. If restlessness is uncontrollable, run up and down on stairs as fast as you can for several times
ADHD management involves you to recognise your choices and take action. The essence of fidget approach is choosing the right strategy and be aware of our brain’s activity.
Get Expert Help
At The ADHD Centre, we offer an ADHD Test Online for you to know or confirm if you or a loved one happens to have ADHD and if you would like some further guidance and support on managing your ADHD then please contact us at The ADHD Centre on 0800 061 4276 or via enquiries@adhdcentre.co.uk.
The ADHD Centre offers holistic ADHD treatment and cares for both children and adults. We are also affiliated with other ADHD clinics and organisations to maximise our services. Are you living in the UK? Lovely! We also offer an ADHD Online Assessment via Zoom for Healthcare. So wherever you are in the UK, know that the ADHD Centre is always available for your ADHD needs.
