ADHD Tips for Parents: Background Music

Photo Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt via Flickr

This is my third post in the series ADHD Tips for Parents.  Each post discusses strategies that help people manage ADHD symptoms, without annoying everyone around them.

Has your child ever insisted they could study better with music?  It might seem unlikely to someone without ADHD.  How could they focus?  Well, they are probably right.  They probably can study better with the right type of background music. CONTINUE READING

Why does music help someone with ADHD focus?

In each of my other posts, I've talked about the frontal lobe and executive function.  People with ADHD have frontal lobes that are underactive.  Their fidgeting, wiggling, and jumping from one thing to another, are attempts to activate the frontal lobe.  When the frontal lobe is active, people with ADHD can focus better, make more appropriate decisions, think more clearly, and get things done.  We can use background music or other background noise to help activate the frontal lobe.

What type of music helps ADHD the most?

• The style of music is not as important as the volume and child's familiarity for the music itself.
• Choose music that is very familiar to the child.  This way they will not be focused on the lyrics.

            OR

• Choose music without words and lyrics, such as instrumental tracks.
• Try nature tracks, such as waves or rainstorms.
• Some parents use noise machines that produce "white noise" or nature sounds.
• Don't use music when the child is supposed to be listening to someone.  Instead, use a different strategy that doesn't involve auditory attention.  Check out this post for more fidget strategies.
  

What else can we try? What have you tried?

Check out the ADHD Infographic for this series for other ideas and strategies to help manage ADHD symptoms.  Let us know in the comments what has worked for you.  We love hearing from readers and always respond to comments.

Up Next in the ADHD Tips for Parents series:

What else can you do to help your ADHD focus better and get some of the fidgety energy out? Playful rough housing and energetic activities can be so helpful for kids with ADHD.  Occupational therapists call this "heavy work".  How does it calming for someone with ADHD? CONTINUE READING

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree Counseling and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.

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