Did you know that Michael Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD and took Ritalin as a kid?

[Stacy in NJ]

Link: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23531107-details/Rise+of+the+human+dolphin/article.do

:)

[DianeJM]

Not surprised. It makes perfect sense, given the fact that his mom was looking for an "outlet" for him when he was young, and landing on getting swimming lessons for him. Great for him!!

[dkt320]

I saw that yesterday and was so encouraged. My DS (8) has ADD and we have found swimming to be perfect for him. The races are short enough that he doesn't lose his focus or interest. We have tried other sports, but standing in the outfield waiting for an inning to finish was not for him, basketball is somewhat better because it does move so fast, not as much wait time on the court. But swimming is definitely the best match for him.

[Linda...inOwasso]

Ditto Diane! I'm Switzerland when it comes to medication for children. However, ADD was called hyperactivity when I was a kid and since there was no medication for it parents would "wear the kid out." It does make perfect sense -- get them to channel their energy in a productive way.

[Rhonda in TX]

His mother said that a teacher told once told her that he would never be able to focus on anything. HA!

[Violet]

Ditto Diane! I'm Switzerland when it comes to medication for children. However, ADD was called hyperactivity when I was a kid and since there was no medication for it parents would "wear the kid out." It does make perfect sense -- get them to channel their energy in a productive way.

My dd 9 has A LOT of energy. We were all at the zoo this summer, and we were all done by afternoon except for dd 9. She was still going strong, marching along as if the whole day hadn't even phased her. :001_huh: I was worried that dd 11 who seemed drained from the heat, etc. should have more energy. Well, dd 19 assured me that we should not be basing how tired we should all feel on dd 9. :tongue_smilie: She assured me dd 9 has more energy than the rest of us put together. Swimming has helped dd 9 deal with her excessive levels of energy very successfully. She has many learning differences/challenges and behavior issues but she is MUCH more manageable when she is doing hard core exercise daily like swimming. It's amazing.

In fact, when I heard the description of Michael Phelps, I thought, wow, that sounds like dd. Well, dd is on summer swim team and I decided early this summer after seeing how it helped her that she'll swim year round. Plus, she loves it. The only down side is the swimmer's ear and the worry about plantar warts. :glare: I often wonder how many ADHD kids really are involved in serious physical activity on a daily basis. I think some kids NEED this kind of activity. Just my opinion.

Anita

[NancyL]

About a year or two ago in the US Club swimming news magazine there was an article about the hyperactivity or ADHD in many swimmers that wasn't realized until they were in college. The parents got them into the sport and they were fine academically because swimming helped them be focused and appropriate because they got so much exercise. Michael Phelps was mentioned because it said his mom used swimming instead of medicine to regulate him. (He wasn't the only focus of the article) It also said many of the kids had to have testing and special study skills because they hadn't been diagnosed before college. They did fine in High School, but once they got into college they really needed the extra help offered to people with learning disabilities. The kids really didn't realize they had one because they got through high school OK. (probably being a good swimmer helped get them into college also.) The coaches said at one time they thought perhaps 25% of the collegiate (male) swimmers probably had some sort of ADHD, and they thought that was kind of interesting. It made me realize that probably many families discovered that swimming worked for their children and the regular exercise program helped moderate their personalities.

[Oak Knoll Mom]

About a year or two ago in the US Club swimming news magazine there was an article about the hyperactivity or ADHD in many swimmers that wasn't realized until they were in college. The parents got them into the sport and they were fine academically because swimming helped them be focused and appropriate because they got so much exercise. Michael Phelps was mentioned because it said his mom used swimming instead of medicine to regulate him. (He wasn't the only focus of the article) It also said many of the kids had to have testing and special study skills because they hadn't been diagnosed before college. They did fine in High School, but once they got into college they really needed the extra help offered to people with learning disabilities. The kids really didn't realize they had one because they got through high school OK. (probably being a good swimmer helped get them into college also.) The coaches said at one time they thought perhaps 25% of the collegiate (male) swimmers probably had some sort of ADHD, and they thought that was kind of interesting. It made me realize that probably many families discovered that swimming worked for their children and the regular exercise program helped moderate their personalities.

I've heard this before and wonder why swimming is such a good sport for those with ADHD. My unscientific theory is that swimming tires them out so much that they sleep better. This goes well with what Amy in NH said in this (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showpost.php?p=400093&postcount=16) thread.

[Blue Hen]

I've heard this before and wonder why swimming is such a good sport for those with ADHD. My unscientific theory is that swimming tires them out so much that they sleep better. This goes well with what Amy in NH said in this (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showpost.php?p=400093&postcount=16) thread.

Here's what my ADHD son has to say about swimming and exercise;

In swimming you have your body and particularly your head in the water so you don't have distractions, you are focusing on one task, moving through the water. You do not see the other players running this way or that, or have to focus on the ball one minute and the opposing player the next, or stand in place waiting for some guy to hit the ball, it is just you and the water. (ADHD kids can focus and often will hyperfocus on a task at hand that they find extremely interesting to them)

Exercise, lots of exercise, has a very calming effect and afterwards being in control is much easier. DS's favorite activity right now is inline speed skating, again a sport that supposedly has many ADHD kids. It is a fast paced, very tiring sport, the skater has to be concerned about moving and avoiding the other skaters. I doubt DS would have been able to focus sufficiently to do this sport several years ago. The distraction of the other skaters would have been too much, and even now sometimes they do distract him and he gets into watching them.

Carole