When looking for ways to help your ADHD child you find many checklists, tips, and tricks on things parents can do to help their child adjust and thrive. Amongst the most popular are encourage your child to move, eat right and create a schedule/routine. All of these things do help and sometimes you are doing all this and more but are still finding your child is not managing their ADHD symptoms. We were there and we kept looking into suggestions and found “Green Time” therapy. Basically, spending time in green spaces such as parks, forests or yards to improve ADHD symptoms of inattention and impulsivity.
A lot of the various therapies based around ‘green time’ or ‘green space’ comes from a study conducted by Frances Kuo, PhD, and Andrea Faber Taylor, PhD. This national study involved 400 American children with ADHD and found that kids spending time in “green” settings reduced their ADHD symptoms including remaining focused on unappealing tasks, completing tasks, listening and following directions, and resisting distractions. This study and numerous others they conducted showed the effects appear to be the same for boys or girls, regardless of the severity of their ADHD, or the activity, as long as it is outdoors.
You may be thinking that’s a great idea, but I live in a city. Well studies show that it doesn’t have to be big to have an impact. You can read a book outside, go for a 20-minute stroll through an urban green space or park and some studies even say reading a book by a window that looks out onto trees can help children manage symptoms.
When we came upon this we couldn’t help but try it. It’s inexpensive, accessible and doesn’t have any side effects (other than improved health for the entire family). If anything exposure to green settings is thought to be a helpful addition to medication and therapy.
The first thing we did was instill a ‘pre-homework outdoor time’. After arriving home my kids both got 20 minutes to play outside (usually playing street hockey or going for a bike ride). We have a small yard, so we also bought a trampoline and the kids could easily pass 20 minutes jumping there. Once their energy was burnt they were better able to focus and homework became less of a war zone.
We also started with ‘weekend nature’. to go to the
country more for walks and hikes on the weekend. We all piled in the car and after a few weeks we noticed the kids fought (like siblings do) until about halfway to where we were going and then on the way back and for the rest of the day (sometimes longer), they were nicer to each other and didn’t fight, didn’t ask to use electronics as much and actually started to think up games and activities. In fact, we were all nicer once we had our dose of nature therapy!
Our green therapy worked so well and we saw such a difference in our ADHD son that we started to do more together as a family, evening walks, game nights and above all else NO ELECTRONICS (parents included). Our kids were getting along, we were getting healthier and our son was managing his ADHD. We were shocked, had we found a miracle non-drug??
It really shouln’t be surprising. You always feel refreshed after spending time in nature, whether it’s a weekend away, a hike in the woods or even a stroll in a park, why should it be any different for your child?
A dose of nature may be just what the doctor ordered for your ADHD child, give it a try when their symptoms are severe or put it in as a part of your routine. There’s nothing to lose and so much to gain!
