Best After-School Programs for ADHD Kids
Robotics Club
A child with special needs child that suffers from attention and hyperactive disorder would greatly benefit from a robotics club in the afternoon. Anything that has to do with STEM is a great way to keep your special needs child or teen brain ticking and thinking. These types of clubs are great because they aren’t just simple toys or items that you can give your child at home that will hold their interest for long periods.
Sports Club
Sports are a great way to not only build discipline and patience in your special needs child but also great sportsmanship and character. By working on a team your special needs child will learn to take directions from a coach or peer which could transfer to home skills when giving commands at home. Your child may require a lot of movement and doesn’t know how to relieve stress and frustration by the time they get out of school. So let them get it out of their system while they’re in after-school sports club or camp.
Dance
My mom didn’t know I had so much pent-up energy inside me until she placed my sister and me in a dance around age 6 and 8. Dancing is not only a great way for your special needs child to express themselves but also keeps your child in movement. Any form of art is great for a child with special needs, especially a child struggling with attention deficit.
Arts/Crafting
Finding an arts and crafting spot for your special needs child is another great way for them to express themselves but this time through art projects, pencil, paper, and other arts forms. Some children with ADHD don’t always require a moment but something rather to stimulate the brain.
Boys or Girls Club Scouting
I remember the days when my sister and I were in Girls Scouts of America. I remember going to the mall to meet up in my green Girl Scouts uniform. At the young age of 6, I remember participating in various activities such as selling cookies, making paper Mache hangers, candles, and going nature walks. This is a great after-school activity for children with ADHD or other special needs to do because it builds independence, teamwork, responsibility, and business skills when it comes to selling cookies and other goods.
Reading Club
I’ve always enjoyed reading clubs from elementary through high school. Although your child may not need the movement of playing outside. Your child would greatly benefit from reading information to practice those skills of retaining information for long periods. Reading is not only fundamental but also keeps your special needs child learning new things. Just check out my video down below on how to encourage your child to read.
Animals
Does your child have an emotional support animal? Special needs children would thrive from having an emotional support animal whether it was a domestic animal or an exotic animal. I don’t know any child who doesn’t love animals. Animals can teach us so many different things such as patience, responsibility when caring for the animal, kindness, and many other things. Letting your child join some type of animal club or organization after school will not only build valuable skills but keep them very interested in the process.
Martial Arts
I remember by tagging along with my sister to her Karate/Martial Arts classes after school during the week. I enjoyed seeing her happy because this activity made her not only happy but it also built up her confidence and self-esteem. When you put your special needs child in martial arts, karate, or any other type of activity such as these your child will not only learn how to define themselves in case of emergency, but also build self-awareness of themselves and others.
