Mindfulness and ADHD
Focusing on anything, even just the present moment, is obviously a challenge for kids suffering from ADHD, but it can be taught. A study taught children who have ADHD, and their parents, a variety of mindfulness techniques. Results showed that after participating in the mindfulness training, childrenās ADHD symptoms, as rated by parents, significantly reduced, as well as the parentsā own inattention and hyperactivity symptoms, which were also significantly reduced. Additionally, parentās rates of overreacting and stress levels in relation to their children reduced, and all of these lowered rates were maintained when a follow-up study was done (van der Oord et al). This shows that teaching mindfulness is an effective and enduring strategy for alleviating ADHD symptoms. However, the authors of the study in question had obtained ratings of ADHD symptoms from the studentās teachers before and after the study, which showed no significant reduction of symptoms after treatment (van der Oord, et al). This finding illustrates the point that implementing mindfulness can work to reduce ADHD symptoms, but only if everyone involved gets on board, meaning that for mindfulness as a solution to be effective in a classroom, part of that solution must also include the teacher receiving training.
van der Oord, S., S. M. Bƶgels, and D. Peijnenburg. "The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents."Ā Journal of Child andĀ Family Studies, vol. 21, no. 1, 2012;2011;, pp. 139-147.