Every parent wants their child to have an amazing summer vacation, full of wonderful, sun-soaked memories they can take with them into adulthood. Summer is often seen as a time of joy, merriment, and relaxation – and in best case scenarios, this is often true.
However, summer can also be a somewhat destabilizing time for children with increased impulsivity and hyperactivity. Children diagnosed with ADHD are often mislabeled as having “behavioral issues.” The lack of routine, potential for monotony, and frequent periods of down-time can be distressing or confusing for a child with ADHD.
For parents who are just wondering, “How do you comfort someone with ADD?” and “How can I make sure my child with ADHD feels my support through the summer?” look no further to find plenty of great tips and suggestions for ADHD resources.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD is formally known as “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” People with this disorder often deal with hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. ADHD is often associated with ADD (attention deficit disorder). These neurological conditions are similar, but their main difference is that ADHD involves hyperactivity, while ADD does not.
If you have a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD, you are probably wondering, “Can ADD be cured?” Unfortunately, ADHD has no cure, but it can be managed effectively with consistency, regular routines, healthy diet, and exercise.
Symptoms of ADHD include struggling to follow directions, paying little attention to details, and struggling to maintain attention. While there is evidence that a child’s genetic makeup could cause ADD, more research is in progress to determine other causes and risks, including environmental and social factors. Causes aside, the best way to understand ADHD is to seek out a wellness center that can offer your child ADD therapy and mental health support. You can do this even while providing them with plenty of summer fun.
How to Keep Summer Vacation Fun for Children With ADHD
There are so many ways to have a fun summer vacation for children with ADHD. Before you focus solely on entertainment and excitement, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Even when school is out, try to keep a consistent schedule for a child with ADHD. Keep the same bedtime and mealtimes, and consider having a weekly schedule they can follow. Maybe Monday is the day you go to the library, on Tuesday you go to the park, and so on.
Most nurse practitioner therapists also recommend keeping your child on the specific treatment plan they have developed, including medications and therapy sessions. If you are considering sending your child to summer camp, evaluate their comfort level, and do not be afraid to start with day camps or sleepaway camps with shorter sessions.
7 Activities You and Your Child With ADHD Will Love This Summer
These activities will keep your child with ADHD happy and busy all summer long! You will love them too, as these activities are safe, effective, and good for development. Be sure to supplement these activities with support from practitioners at a Baltimore therapy group to best help your child deal with attention deficit disorder.
#1: Create a Summer Scrapbook
Go to your local craft store (or thrift store, and keep things cheap!) and find a scrapbook, drawing materials, and plenty of fun add-ons like glitter and stickers. Have your child decorate a page every day or week to document the memories they are making this summer and stimulate the creative side of their brain.
#2: Volunteer
What does your child love most in the world? Animals? Being outside? Spending time with their grandparents? Turn that passion into a volunteer opportunity! Check your local library or neighborhood association website to find places seeking volunteers. This scheduled activity will help your child stay active and will teach them the value of giving back to their community.
#3: Draw With Sidewalk Chalk
All the world can be your canvas with enough sidewalk chalk! Your child can draw to their heart's content with very minimal mess. Pick up an inexpensive bucket of chalk and spend the afternoon outside with your child, watching them create a masterpiece.
#4: Listen to Audio Books
Audio books are a great way to stimulate a child’s attention while still giving them some educational value. Discover a new series your child enjoys and play it in the car on long trips or on a speaker while they do chores or help you around the house.
#5: Teach Your Child to Cook
Many people don’t learn how to cook until their late teens, when they move away from home for the first time. However, even young children can learn how to make simple, nutritious meals. Cooking is stimulating, exciting, nourishing, and, with supervision, perfectly safe. Learning how to cook will also help your child feel more independent and secure in themselves.
#6: Grow a Garden
Helping your child start a garden of their very own can be a great learning experience. They get to learn more about nature, plants, and responsibility. They’ll also see the fruits of their labor pay off when their seeds grow and yield fruits, vegetables, or flowers.
#7: Have a Picnic at the Park
Pack up some snacks, cold drinks, and maybe some sweet treats! Grab balls, toys, and a comfy blanket! Maybe even throw in a book or some markers and head to your local park! You can hang in the shade while your child plays outside at a safe distance. Try to find a park with a playground or jungle gym for even more stimulating fun.
FAQs About ADD and ADHD
Can ADD be cured?
Unfortunately, ADD cannot be cured. However, there are ways to treat ADD at places like wellness centers, where you can seek therapy for children with ADHD. There are many benefits of psychotherapy that people with ADD specifically benefit from.
How do you comfort someone with ADD?
There are many things you can do to comfort someone with ADD. Try to be as empathetic, encouraging, kind, and patient as you can be. Seek certain activities that relieve stress and tension, such as going for a walk. However, one of the best things you can do for someone with ADD, after a certain point, is get them professional help from experts like our team of nurse practitioner therapists at Triumph Behavioral Health.
Can a psychologist treat ADD or ADHD?
A psychologist can absolutely help treat ADD or ADHD symptoms! There are multiple types of therapies and treatment options that support ADD therapy. Mental health providers in Maryland are ready and able to help those with ADD or ADHD with strategies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and attention-boosting treatments.
Get Help for Children and Adults With ADHD
For most children and adults with ADHD, ADD therapy is the best option. Seeking therapy for your child with ADHD can be overwhelming, but a Baltimore therapy group like Triumph Behavioral Health is ready to help you seek out comprehensive, empathetic ADD therapy.
There are countless benefits of psychotherapy for children and adults with ADHD. Seek out the help of nurse practitioner therapists at wellness centers. If you’re searching for mental health providers in Maryland, you cannot go wrong with Triumph Behavioral Health. Contact us today to start you or your child’s wellness center journey and have the most amazing summer of your lives.