Schmitt 1

Laurencia Schmitt
Mrs. DeBock
English
3 March 2016

ADHD in Children
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a common disorder in children. With
having this disorder comes many obstacles to face. Symptoms of ADHD include difficulty
staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity.
Alternative therapy and activities should be the initial treatment for children with ADHD because
studies have proven them to be effective in slowing down inattentiveness in children.
Many treatments have been researched and studied to assist children with ADHD. One of
the most recent research studies have been the effect that music has on a childs ability to focus.
In Carrer and Rogerios article research is completed and data is collected on how music can
slow down the childs inattentiveness. The group of researchers gathered a group of kids and
separated them into three groups; kids with ADHD in two separate groups and kids without
ADHD (control group). Data was recorded using special software on the computer and a
musical keyboard. The testing was divided up into different task areas; time estimation with
music, time estimation with simple sounds and time production. Children with ADHD need
other forms of treatment and coping abilities other than medication. (Carrer and Rogerio)
Another alternative to medication is art therapy. Art therapy is beneficial for children who
have ADHD because it allows them to express feelings, emotions and thoughts through the hands
and releases energy. In Wallace's article, art therapy uses the processes of drawing, painting and
sculpting to improve well-being and confidence in kids. A child with ADHD using art to cope

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helps to generate a relaxing response. It also helps to improve the childs mood. Sculpting
reduces a childs stress hormones. Therapy session recommendations are usually 30 minutes long
per week. (Wallace)
Therapeutics steps are important in teaching and guiding a child with ADHD. Improving
a childs attention span is important and makes it interesting for the child when the activity
includes channeling his or her focus or the child having to think about categorizing bright colors.
In Dominicas article, using colored blocks to sort and create objects is one of the activities used
to increase a childs attention span. Throwing a ball into a bucket helps the child with
coordination and attention. It also helps the child with concentration and focus. One of the other
activities that Dominica talked about in her article was trampoline jumping. However, jumping
on the trampoline requires not only physical activity but sensory stimulation, two more things
that with increase concentration. (Dominica)
Studies have proven alternative therapy and activities are effective in slowing down
inattentiveness in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Other ways for parents
to help children cope with this common disorder are available other than taking medication.
Medication is the number one step to helping children with ADHD, but alternatives such as art
therapy are perfect ways for slowing down inattentiveness in children.

Works Cited
Carrer Jorgensen, and Rogerio Luiz. Music and Sound in Time Processing of Children with
ADHD. Frontiers in Psychiatry Sept 2015: 1-7. HCS Smart Search. Web. 23 Feb 2016.

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Dominica Sharon. Improving the Welfare of Your ADHD Child with Five Therapeutic
Activities. Web. 2011.
Wallace, Maureen. Art Therapy to Treat ADHD in Children. Web. 8 Jan 2014.