Own your day. Simplified focus and productivity.
Start your free trial
pink and orange coloured image
April 11, 2019

Mindful parenting: mindfulness technique for children with ADHD

More studies show that mindfulness or meditation can have a positive effect on both the behavoir, impulsivity and hyperactivity of children and youngsters with ADHD.

Team Tiimo

Children and youngsters with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often display behaviour that is inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive. The most widely used 'treatments' are medication and behavioral treatments (2).

However, in the latest years, interest in other non-medical therapies have created interest for the effects of meditation and mindfulness.

Stress and ADHD

An alarming finding shows that the risk for suicide in youngsters with ADHD is nearly three times higher than in control groups, indicating the severe need to develop and investigate new treatments for people with ADHD. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown positive effects on adults suffering from depression, stress, pain and illness (1), and supports the assumption that similar results could be found for children and youngsters.

For a child with ADHD, the right frontal side of their brain operates differently. This is the region of the brain responsible for the development of coping strategies, which can affect the ability to handle stress (3). Furthermore, children with ADHD have high cortisol levels (stress hormone) and studies have shown that stress interferes with executive functions associated with working memory, impulse control and coping strategies as well as behaviour regulations. Stress also compromises selective attention as well as the ability to sustain attention (3). Therefore stress is an additional negative factor as it reinforces the characteristics of ADHD, which often cause challenging situations for the individual with ADHD.

Meditation and ADHD

Meditation and mindfulness training could prove to be an effective treatment for ADHD, as mindfulness meditation reduces stress, and focuses on increasing the individual’s ability to control attention, and reduce automatic responses.

Studies show, that mindfulness meditation enhances performance on executive functioning tasks, such as focusing, working memory and cognitive control.

All evidence is in favour of mindfulness training as being a relevant and effective treatment for children and youngsters with ADHD (1).

What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness training is an intervention based on eastern meditation techniques, that helps increasing awareness of the present moment, enhances non-judgmental observation, and reduces automatic responding (2).

In a study of 6-week Sahaja yoga meditation training for 4 to 12-year-old children and their parents, parents reported significantly improved characteristics such as improvements of anxiety and self-esteem, and reduction of parent-child conflict.

Another study with 11 to 15-year-old boys and girls, showed a reduction of externalizing, internalizing and attention problems, while executive functioning improved on self-report measures. The reports were also confirmed by enhanced performance on computerized attention tests (1).

Several other studies show an increase in happiness, improvements of youngsters’ self-control, reductions of attention problems, and overall reductions of ADHD symptoms (see table 1 blow (4)).

table1

The studies show promising results of the effects of meditation and mindfulness training on children and youngsters. However, the studies have also found that the effect of meditation and mindfulness training disappears after a few weeks. The training should, therefore, be done regularly.

Parents and ADHD

Since ADHD is genetic, many parents of children with ADHD also have ADHD themselves (though it may be undiagnosed)(2). In many of the studies, parents of the children with ADHD, were offered to participate in mindful parenting training, where the parents were taught to pay attention in the present moment, as well as observing their child in a non-judgmental manner and respond calmly, rather than react, to their child’s difficult behaviour (4).

"Mindful parenting is a form of mindfulness training and is defined as: ‘paying attention to your child and your parenting in a particular way: intentionally, here and now, and non-judgmentally'" (2).

The studies where parents participated in mindful training showed a significant reduction of parental stress and parental overreactivity* as well as decreasing parents' own inattention and hyperactivity (2).

The studies where both children participated in meditation and mindfulness training and their parents participated in mindful parenting training, had the best overall success and positive feedback.

The studies mentioned above have found preliminary results that could indicate that meditation and mindfulness training could improve mental health and feeling of happiness.

*”Due to the ADHD behavior of the child, parents can become less patient, pay more attention to disruptive behavior and act more impulsively. This is called ‘‘parental overreactivity’’”(2).

Phone in hand

Ready to simplify your planning?

Start your 7-day free trial and experience the benefits of simplified time management and focus.

Get started on App Store
Get started on Google Play
April 11, 2019

Mindful parenting: mindfulness technique for children with ADHD

More studies show that mindfulness or meditation can have a positive effect on both the behavoir, impulsivity and hyperactivity of children and youngsters with ADHD.

Team Tiimo

Children and youngsters with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often display behaviour that is inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive. The most widely used 'treatments' are medication and behavioral treatments (2).

However, in the latest years, interest in other non-medical therapies have created interest for the effects of meditation and mindfulness.

Stress and ADHD

An alarming finding shows that the risk for suicide in youngsters with ADHD is nearly three times higher than in control groups, indicating the severe need to develop and investigate new treatments for people with ADHD. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown positive effects on adults suffering from depression, stress, pain and illness (1), and supports the assumption that similar results could be found for children and youngsters.

For a child with ADHD, the right frontal side of their brain operates differently. This is the region of the brain responsible for the development of coping strategies, which can affect the ability to handle stress (3). Furthermore, children with ADHD have high cortisol levels (stress hormone) and studies have shown that stress interferes with executive functions associated with working memory, impulse control and coping strategies as well as behaviour regulations. Stress also compromises selective attention as well as the ability to sustain attention (3). Therefore stress is an additional negative factor as it reinforces the characteristics of ADHD, which often cause challenging situations for the individual with ADHD.

Meditation and ADHD

Meditation and mindfulness training could prove to be an effective treatment for ADHD, as mindfulness meditation reduces stress, and focuses on increasing the individual’s ability to control attention, and reduce automatic responses.

Studies show, that mindfulness meditation enhances performance on executive functioning tasks, such as focusing, working memory and cognitive control.

All evidence is in favour of mindfulness training as being a relevant and effective treatment for children and youngsters with ADHD (1).

What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness training is an intervention based on eastern meditation techniques, that helps increasing awareness of the present moment, enhances non-judgmental observation, and reduces automatic responding (2).

In a study of 6-week Sahaja yoga meditation training for 4 to 12-year-old children and their parents, parents reported significantly improved characteristics such as improvements of anxiety and self-esteem, and reduction of parent-child conflict.

Another study with 11 to 15-year-old boys and girls, showed a reduction of externalizing, internalizing and attention problems, while executive functioning improved on self-report measures. The reports were also confirmed by enhanced performance on computerized attention tests (1).

Several other studies show an increase in happiness, improvements of youngsters’ self-control, reductions of attention problems, and overall reductions of ADHD symptoms (see table 1 blow (4)).

table1

The studies show promising results of the effects of meditation and mindfulness training on children and youngsters. However, the studies have also found that the effect of meditation and mindfulness training disappears after a few weeks. The training should, therefore, be done regularly.

Parents and ADHD

Since ADHD is genetic, many parents of children with ADHD also have ADHD themselves (though it may be undiagnosed)(2). In many of the studies, parents of the children with ADHD, were offered to participate in mindful parenting training, where the parents were taught to pay attention in the present moment, as well as observing their child in a non-judgmental manner and respond calmly, rather than react, to their child’s difficult behaviour (4).

"Mindful parenting is a form of mindfulness training and is defined as: ‘paying attention to your child and your parenting in a particular way: intentionally, here and now, and non-judgmentally'" (2).

The studies where parents participated in mindful training showed a significant reduction of parental stress and parental overreactivity* as well as decreasing parents' own inattention and hyperactivity (2).

The studies where both children participated in meditation and mindfulness training and their parents participated in mindful parenting training, had the best overall success and positive feedback.

The studies mentioned above have found preliminary results that could indicate that meditation and mindfulness training could improve mental health and feeling of happiness.

*”Due to the ADHD behavior of the child, parents can become less patient, pay more attention to disruptive behavior and act more impulsively. This is called ‘‘parental overreactivity’’”(2).

Phone in hand

Ready to simplify your planning?

Start your 7-day free trial and experience the benefits of simplified time management and focus.

Get started on App Store
Get started on Google Play
Mindful parenting: mindfulness technique for children with ADHD
April 11, 2019

Mindful parenting: mindfulness technique for children with ADHD

More studies show that mindfulness or meditation can have a positive effect on both the behavoir, impulsivity and hyperactivity of children and youngsters with ADHD.

Georgina Shute

Georgina is an ADHD coach and digital leader. She set up KindTwo to empower as many people as possible to work with Neurodiversity - not against it.

Children and youngsters with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often display behaviour that is inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive. The most widely used 'treatments' are medication and behavioral treatments (2).

However, in the latest years, interest in other non-medical therapies have created interest for the effects of meditation and mindfulness.

Stress and ADHD

An alarming finding shows that the risk for suicide in youngsters with ADHD is nearly three times higher than in control groups, indicating the severe need to develop and investigate new treatments for people with ADHD. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown positive effects on adults suffering from depression, stress, pain and illness (1), and supports the assumption that similar results could be found for children and youngsters.

For a child with ADHD, the right frontal side of their brain operates differently. This is the region of the brain responsible for the development of coping strategies, which can affect the ability to handle stress (3). Furthermore, children with ADHD have high cortisol levels (stress hormone) and studies have shown that stress interferes with executive functions associated with working memory, impulse control and coping strategies as well as behaviour regulations. Stress also compromises selective attention as well as the ability to sustain attention (3). Therefore stress is an additional negative factor as it reinforces the characteristics of ADHD, which often cause challenging situations for the individual with ADHD.

Meditation and ADHD

Meditation and mindfulness training could prove to be an effective treatment for ADHD, as mindfulness meditation reduces stress, and focuses on increasing the individual’s ability to control attention, and reduce automatic responses.

Studies show, that mindfulness meditation enhances performance on executive functioning tasks, such as focusing, working memory and cognitive control.

All evidence is in favour of mindfulness training as being a relevant and effective treatment for children and youngsters with ADHD (1).

What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness training is an intervention based on eastern meditation techniques, that helps increasing awareness of the present moment, enhances non-judgmental observation, and reduces automatic responding (2).

In a study of 6-week Sahaja yoga meditation training for 4 to 12-year-old children and their parents, parents reported significantly improved characteristics such as improvements of anxiety and self-esteem, and reduction of parent-child conflict.

Another study with 11 to 15-year-old boys and girls, showed a reduction of externalizing, internalizing and attention problems, while executive functioning improved on self-report measures. The reports were also confirmed by enhanced performance on computerized attention tests (1).

Several other studies show an increase in happiness, improvements of youngsters’ self-control, reductions of attention problems, and overall reductions of ADHD symptoms (see table 1 blow (4)).

table1

The studies show promising results of the effects of meditation and mindfulness training on children and youngsters. However, the studies have also found that the effect of meditation and mindfulness training disappears after a few weeks. The training should, therefore, be done regularly.

Parents and ADHD

Since ADHD is genetic, many parents of children with ADHD also have ADHD themselves (though it may be undiagnosed)(2). In many of the studies, parents of the children with ADHD, were offered to participate in mindful parenting training, where the parents were taught to pay attention in the present moment, as well as observing their child in a non-judgmental manner and respond calmly, rather than react, to their child’s difficult behaviour (4).

"Mindful parenting is a form of mindfulness training and is defined as: ‘paying attention to your child and your parenting in a particular way: intentionally, here and now, and non-judgmentally'" (2).

The studies where parents participated in mindful training showed a significant reduction of parental stress and parental overreactivity* as well as decreasing parents' own inattention and hyperactivity (2).

The studies where both children participated in meditation and mindfulness training and their parents participated in mindful parenting training, had the best overall success and positive feedback.

The studies mentioned above have found preliminary results that could indicate that meditation and mindfulness training could improve mental health and feeling of happiness.

*”Due to the ADHD behavior of the child, parents can become less patient, pay more attention to disruptive behavior and act more impulsively. This is called ‘‘parental overreactivity’’”(2).

Read more

September 6, 2024

Starter Session

Get started with Tiimo’s innovative, neuroinclusive planning tools with guidance from Inclusion and Belonging Lead, Beaux. This course covers Tiimo’s core iOS features, showing you how to organize tasks, schedule reminders, and focus your day visually. Created with neurodivergent folks in mind, Tiimo makes planning intuitive, flexible, and fun by breaking down tasks, building routines, and customizing reminders with colors, icons, and visuals. Discover how Tiimo’s tools can help you manage your day more effectively, whether it’s for work, study, or daily self-care.

Read More
November 3, 2023

Course: Boosting productivity with Body Doubling

Discover the transformative power of body doubling with Tiimo's Inclusion and Belonging Lead, Beaux. This course explores the science and practical applications of body doubling, or working alongside another person or group to enhance focus and productivity. Designed for neurodivergent folks, this course offers strategies to use body doubling for various tasks, from work and study to self care and daily chores. Learn how to create supportive environments that improves task initiation, completion, and overall productivity.

Read More
Tiimo for web is here, bringing all the planning tools you love to your desktop with a bigger, easier-to-use layout. Seamlessly synced with the mobile app, Tiimo for web makes organizing your week simple and keeps you focused, wherever you plan.
October 28, 2024

Discover Tiimo's web planner

Tiimo for web is here, bringing all the planning tools you love to your desktop with a bigger, easier-to-use layout. Seamlessly synced with the mobile app, Tiimo for web makes organizing your week simple and keeps you focused, wherever you plan.

Read More