Being a parent of a child with ADHD or other sensory challenges is overwhelming, particularly when making them sit still is involved. Children with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) often experience difficulty paying attention in the classroom for long periods or listening to lectures for an entire day.
Some common signs of inattentiveness among pre-school or school kids with ADHD include tapping their pencils or chewing on their pens continuously during homework. Other signs may include playing with hair, bouncing their legs, turning items over repeatedly, or playing with paper clips or small objects.
If you are still trying to manage your child’s ADHD symptoms and need help with their irregular learning or behavioural patterns, scientific and proven occupational therapy activities can help address their sensory challenges. This article talks about different sensory and fidgeting tools that can improve a child’s focus and concentration at school or at home. We will also discuss the importance of a sensory-informed and ADHD-friendly classroom.
Top 5 Classroom-Friendly Fidget Tools for Children with ADHD
Here are some recommended fidget tools and sensory toys that can significantly help kids with ADHD focus at school and during homework.
Sand-Filled Stress Balls
Stress balls or squeeze balls are often used by adults as stress relievers. However, they are extremely beneficial for kids with ADHD as they help improve concentration by releasing tension. These are small-sized sand-filled balloons that are quite handy and can be easily kept in your child’s study organiser.
Bubble Push and Pop Toys
These travel-friendly toys are not just fun but also keep children engaged. The push and pop toys come in various fun shapes, such as animals or geometrical patterns and have multicoloured silicone buttons that are soft to touch – apt for tiny fingers. These sensory-rich toys help develop fine motor and tactile skills and manage anxiety in kids struggling with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Therapy Putty, Slime, or Playdough
Playdough, slime or therapy putty are made of moldable and stretchable material, making them great options for sensory play. They help improve the child’s hand movements, finger coordination and strength by keeping their fingers engaged, thus boosting motor skills and supporting sensory development.
Fidget Spinners
Fidget spinners are a great outlet for releasing tension and restlessness by providing individuals with rich sensory input. The repetitive motion and tactile stimulation help improve focus, channelise hyperactive behaviours, and minimise anxiety and stress. Your sensory occupational therapist may also recommend these spinners as support tools in ADHD treatment to help kids cope with inattention in classrooms.
Magnetic Fidget Rings
Magnetic fidget rings are actively used as a part of occupational therapy activities designed for autism or ADHD treatment. They are a sensory-filled outlet for releasing one’s stress through repetitive motion. These small-sized rings are worn on the finger, offering discreet sensory input, thus making them less distracting in classroom or corporate settings.
The Importance of a Sensory-Friendly Classroom
Sensory activities and fidget tools are effective in improving focus, promoting better regulation, managing hyperactivity, and encouraging active participation in children with ADHD. These tools greatly aid in the child’s learning process, enabling them to control their hyperactive emotions and sit calmly during studies, especially at school and during homework. Some parents also like to combine the use of these fidget tools with other therapy approaches for autism treatment, thereby providing holistic sensory support.
Summing up, fidget toys help children:
- Improve focus, making them remain attentive
- Minimises stress and anxiety
- Enhances fine motor skills
- Boosts sensory development
- Encourages independent play in healthy ways
Which is the Right Fidget Tool for My Child?
Parents seeking occupational therapy (OT) for their children often get overwhelmed with innumerable choices for fidget tools and sensory activities. To understand which types would work best for your kid, determine their learning, sensory, and behavioural challenges first. If your child is struggling with attention and concentration during studies, look for tools that are not visually distracting – a classic example being a fidget spinner, which the child can manipulate even without looking at it.
On the other hand, if your little champ needs help with better emotional or sensory regulation, choose a tool that is more interactive and comes with auditory and visual components. For instance, puzzle balls or gel visual timer fidgets can provide the grounding effect required for effectively managing or controlling their emotions, impulsive behaviours, and hyperactivity.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, fidgets are sensory-friendly strategies that offer a range of benefits for kids with sensory or behavioural challenges. Early intervention therapy with these sensory tools is key to managing and treating the symptoms of ADHD or autism by lowering anxiety levels and regulating emotions through increased engagement. However, consult a professional occupational therapist to choose the right fidget tools that would address your child’s unique sensory and learning needs.