Those who regularly read our blog and follow us on social media are no strangers to our enthusiastic endorsement of play therapy. As a team composed of multiple registered (or in-training) play therapists, we have seen first hand how the young clients in our care benefit from this empowering therapeutic practice.
While we believe it is an impactful tool for all of our clients, we wanted to share how play therapy can specifically support individuals with ADHD. Continue reading for a brief overview of both ADHD and play therapy, as well as a deeper dive into the benefits of play therapy for children with ADHD.
What is ADHD?
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a form of neurodivergence whose characteristics appear in childhood, though individuals may not be diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood. ADHD typically affects people in one or more of the following three ways:
Inattention: Individuals may struggle with paying attention, staying on task, executive functioning, and/or organization.
Hyperactivity: Individuals may find it challenging to stay still, instead feeling the need to fidget and/or remain in constant motion.
Impulsivity: Individuals may grapple with self-control by acting without thinking, interrupting others, and/or pursuing instant gratification over long-term rewards or consequences.
While characteristics manifest differently in different people, the signs an individual experiences typically impact their functioning abilities at school, work, and/or social engagements - especially if those environments do not yet provide accommodations for welcoming neurodivergent individuals and embracing their beautiful gifts. For more information about ADHD, see the National Institute of Mental Health’s detailed explanation.
What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that deeply respects a child’s natural development. Children rely on play to help them process the world around them, and play therapy harnesses this tendency to help children explore complex themes such as overwhelming emotions, trauma, anxiety, family-related changes, and more. Play therapy also provides children with an avenue to communicate their thoughts and feelings that they may not be able to verbalize. For more details about our office’s inclusive and affirming play therapy approach, please read this recent blog post.
How does play therapy benefit children with ADHD?
Play therapy has the potential to help ANY child navigate challenging emotions and situations. For children with ADHD, play therapy can offer the following additional benefits:
Improvement of Self-Regulation and Impulse Control - Play therapy provides a safe yet structured environment where children can engage in games and activities that encourage patience, turn-taking, and following rules. These exercises can help improve their ability to manage impulses in real-world situations.
Enhancement of Focus and Attention - A skilled play therapist knows how to incorporate activities into sessions that require sustained attention, concentration, and planning. Through these engaging play activities, children can gradually improve their ability to focus on tasks for extended periods. The playful environment makes it easier for them to practice these skills in a fun, low-pressure setting.
Promotion of Social Skills and Emotional Intelligence - In play therapy, children are able to practice sharing and cooperating with their therapist or playgroup members. They can also role-play scenarios that help them build empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills. These factors work together to help children feel more confident in their ability to interact with peers.
A Safe Outlet for Emotional Expression - As with any defining characteristic that can make you feel “othered”, children with ADHD may experience strong emotional reactions to their perceived differences. Play therapy offers a safe space for children to express and process these emotions through play, games, art, or storytelling.
Access to Problem-Solving and Coping Skills - Play therapy can help children develop problem-solving strategies and mechanisms for engaging with their unique ADHD characteristics. Through imaginative play, children can experiment with different ways to handle challenges, such as frustration or social rejection, in a way that promotes resilience and adaptability.
What are the next steps?
If a child in your life exhibits characteristics that are often associated with ADHD or other types of neurodivergence, you may want to consider neurolpsychogical testing. These evaluations provide us with information that we can use to determine how to best support your child and celebrate their unique differences, including tailoring the focus of play therapy to suit the child’s specific needs and goals.
Would you like help navigating the evaluation process? Do you already have testing results in hand and need to figure out next steps? Are you simply interested in learning more about our play therapy offerings? No matter where you are in the process of determining what your child needs to thrive, we are more than happy to help. Feel free to schedule a consultation with us - we would consider it an honor to be part of their healing journey.