Posted by kathryn in Miscellanea

I really wish I’d seen this before Christmas, but I still think it’s worth linking to, for birthdays, etc. Focused Distractions have a gift-buying guide for kids with ADD / ADHD. As Terry, the blogger, writes

In many cases, ADHD kids have already had their fill of feeling they’ve let others—and themselves—down. School is often a struggle, as are social situations. Many have difficulty playing quietly. Others have problems regulating their emotions. When picking out gifts for your youngsters, consider choosing things you know they will truly like – not things you wish they would enjoy. Emphasize their strengths – heck, they hear about their areas of weakness all through the school year!

She suggests buying your kid what they really want, but also choosing gifts that subtly encourage them to improve in specific areas, for example:

For your sports nut who hates to read, consider buying just one book—maybe one that highlights the life of his favorite sports hero. Make sure you choose one that is at his current reading level. For your socially shy one, buy a packet of movie tickets and promise to take her a few times a month with her choice of friend. Suggest that she pick someone whom she’d like to get to know better. Add a “promise” note that you’ll also spoil them both with treats from the refreshment stand. Sometimes kids have trouble “figuring out” how to play together, so spending time at the movies would be a great way to break the ice.

It’s a great article and I really like her approach, if your child or someone in your family has ADD, then I’d recommend taking a look

02 January, 2007