Play Therapy for ADHD: How Fun Activities Aid in Managing Symptoms

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects kids and adults alike.

While traditional treatments often include medication and behavioral therapy, play therapy is becoming increasingly popular. It’s a great way of both managing symptoms and relieving stress. But how does it work?

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play to help children (and sometimes adults!) express their feelings, solve problems, and improve their communication skills in an interactive, creative way. For those with ADHD, play therapy provides a structured yet flexible environment where children can develop self-control, learn social skills, and strengthen their attention spans.

Research shows that play therapy is particularly beneficial for people with ADHD. It engages multiple areas of the brain simultaneously and activates dopamine pathways, which make you feel “rewarded.” This aids in cognitive development and learning emotional regulation.

Activities that involve physical movement, strategic thinking, and creative expression can also stimulate neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This is particularly important for children with ADHD, as it can help them develop new ways of managing their symptoms.

Types of Play Therapy for ADHD

• Cognitive-behavioral play therapy (CBPT): CBPT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with play. Through guided play, children learn to recognize and change their negative thought patterns and behaviors. For instance, by using role-playing games, children can practice responding to challenging situations in a safe place with their therapist. CBPT can be more age-appropriate for children, since it can help them understand concepts that might be difficult to explain through conversation alone.

• Sandplay therapy: In sandplay therapy, children use miniature figures and a sandbox to create scenes that reflect their inner thoughts and emotions. It doesn’t always have to include narration. These non-verbal forms of expression can be particularly helpful for children who struggle to articulate their feelings. It allows the therapist to gain insights into a child’s emotional world they might not normally be able to access.

• Art therapy: Art therapy involves using drawing, painting, and other forms of creative expression to help children process emotions in a visual way. For children with ADHD, art therapy will direct their energy into a constructive activity. It can improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance fine motor skills, particularly in younger kids. Creating art and having a final product also helps a child feel accomplished.

• Therapeutic games: Board games, card games, and video games designed for play therapy can help children with ADHD develop executive functioning skills like planning and impulse control. Games that require turn-taking and following rules also teach social skills and patience with others.

Benefits of Play Therapy for ADHD

Play therapy has many benefits for children with ADHD, including:

• Improving their attention spans

• Developing their concentration

• Teaching social skills like sharing, taking turns, and communicating

• Teaching emotional regulation

• Releasing pent-up energy

• Increasing self-esteem and self-confidence

• Reducing stress

• Teaching healthy coping mechanisms

Starting Play Therapy

As a parent, you can look for ways to incorporate play therapy at home. Set aside regular playtime and find an activity your child enjoys, such as sand play, painting, or board games. Your child can play alone, with you, or with other members of the family. It’s important that your child uses this play as an outlet for their emotions and can unwind, so it should be a stress-free activity.

Also, consider taking your child to a therapist who specializes in play and childhood ADHD. A therapist will have insight into how your child’s mind works and help them discover the best ways of managing their symptoms.

To find out more about how play therapy can help your child with ADHD, please reach out and book an appointment today.