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A child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder known as ADHD is gifted with spontaneity, creativeness and the ability to focus intensely on any task they take an interest in. On the flip side, that same child can be difficult to parent due to frequent distractibility, impulsiveness, aggressiveness and hyperactivity. These traits usually define the ADHD child to the outside world and label them as "troublemakers" which can irreparably damage self-esteem. All children are impulsive, inattentive and easily distracted from time to time, but the ADHD child lives with these attributes frequently. You can aid your ADHD child by showing her how these character traits are an advantage, not a disadvantage. In spite of its name, ADHD is not only a lack of attentiveness but the ability to exert more focused attention on a chosen topic. Those with ADHD don't lack focus but often focus inappropriately. They have little tolerance for inactivity and are bored quickly. Sports can be a positive or negative experience for any child but especially the ADHD child. Releasing excess energy is a plus but team sports are often frustrating if the child can't learn to follow the rules or play their specific part for the team. Martial arts can be tremendously therapeutic for the ADHD child. A martial art like tae kwon do provides a safe, controlled environment where aggressive behavior is permitted. The Master gives instructions that are quickly acted on. This provides a relevance to the actions and immediate gratification. A martial art like tae kwon do always emphasizes self-confidence, self-esteem and self-control as part of the curriculum. This is important for the ADHD child to have the confidence to believe what many consider negative character issues are actually positives. Children learn the "right action" at the right moment which tempers impulsiveness and turns it into a positive action. Boredom is negligible due to the fast active pace of a martial arts class that is full of jumping and spinning, punching and kicking; the hyperactive child can unleash behavior in an appropriate way and be praised for it. An important quality of tae kwon do instruction is respect and acceptance of all people despite the labels society has placed on them. Many people assume ADHD is primarily a boy problem but this is not true. ADD which is the same disorder without the hyperactivity component, is diagnosed in girls in equal numbers to boys with ADHD. Both disorders are genetic; studies show 25% of children diagnosed have a parent with Attention Deficit. You can never outgrow ADHD, so you must help your child find ways to work with the negative aspects to build success. Give her the chance to learn how to change negative traits into advantages to take into adulthood. Remember that the ADHD child carries positive traits that are often cultivated by successful businesspeople, entrepreneurs and athletes. Spontaneity, creativity, fast thinking, intense concentration, tenacity and high energy describe the most successful in our history like Winston Churchill, Thomas Edison and Mozart. That's good company.
Article Source: http://www.go-see.info
To find out more about how tae kwon do training can help your ADHD child, visit Kalynn Amadio's great website Taekwondo-Network and read more about the types of classes a good school offers for kids tae kwon do lessons.
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