Find ADHD Therapy Confusing?

Have any parents of children with ADHD had their children take music lessons, music therapy, or outside-of-school music ensembles? What kind of modifications did you make? How did your child respond to the music lessons?

Alternatively: Music teachers - have you had students with ADHD? What teaching strategies did you use with them? How did you adapt the teaching environment? Have you had any students with ADHD pursue music seriously and long term?

My son who was ADHD took guitar lessons, but at about age 12. He wanted to do this, so it was something important to him. He was very good at it, and learned very quickly. All three of my children played an instrument, but our girls were in the middle school band. Due to the determination an ADHD child can put into something they really love, pursuing music, if they so choose, can be very good for someone with ADHD. I am not certain that pushing a child of any sort, into music or any other outside interest may be beneficial, if they are not interested in it. Although music is considered to help with organization of some sort and is said to help, even with other academic areas, if you will need to contually be reminding the student to practice or what they need to do, it may get to be a grind for both student and parent, alike and no benefit would result. Perhaps you can talk to your child and see if they would like to "try" an instrument. Let them choose the instrument - they do need to like what they are doing. Perhaps take them to a music store or a middle school band room to see the different instruments. Then, give them a set time they can try it, to see if they like it. Give them six months, one year, or whatever amount of time you and the child can reasonably agree on for a trial. But, if the child just does not take to the lessons, you don’t want another battle on your hands.

Our relative’s son who was also very ADHD, WANTED to play the drums. Because he wanted to do this, he put a lot of time and effort into it. He did not learn to read music, like our son did. But, he wanted to do this enough, that he learned, and learned very well. He is an outstanding drummer. He currently has been going to community college, after adjusting his ADHD medication and using something different. Currently, he is in a program in school that he LIKES, and is doing well. That is the key to anyone and, especially, to ADHD children: they do need to find the things they love. They will learn it and study it, if they like it. Our nephew managed to get through the things he did not like, because he could still play his drums, and at 26, he still does. Our son studied something he also had a keen interest in, during college. That made all the difference. You and your child will need to determine what is best, but you should at least talk to them about it and see what they think. Life is, after all, full of need to’s. At least make it a trial period, with no arguments or agony on your part, if your child does not like it.