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When people think of ADHD, they may picture primarily hyperactive symptoms. In reality, there are three presentations or types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can look different from one another. The three types of ADHD include primarily inattentive ADHD, primarily hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, and combined type ADHD.
If your child struggles with inattentive ADHD symptoms, tasks may feel overwhelming for your child, and they may find it tough to stay motivated. This is not your child's fault. Differences in the ADHD brain that affect motivation are well-documented. The good news is that adults can help kids with ADHD get motivated. You can also help kids with ADHD learn to self-motivate early on so that they can carry these skills to their adult life.
So, what strategies can you use to motivate an inattentive child with ADHD? In this article, we'll talk about ways to motivate kids with ADHD, how Joon can help, and signs of inattention to look out for.
Motivating An Inattentive Child With ADHD
Motivation deficit in ADHD is a result of brain differences. Specifically, some evidence suggests that motivation deficit is associated with dysfunction of the dopamine reward pathway in people with the disorder. Kids and adults with ADHD both experience differences in executive function, which can make starting tasks, finishing tasks, and meeting deadlines, harder. However, it's possible to overcome a lack of motivation with the right tools. Use the following strategies to create motivation in children with ADHD.
Try Joon To Help
Joon was created to improve motivation in kids with ADHD and related disorders ages 6-12+. Designed with the ADHD brain in mind, Joon is a to-do app that doubles as a game. Here's how it works:
Adults sign up first with the Joon Parent App and create a customized to-do list for their children. You can add unlimited tasks, such as homework, chores, personal hygiene activities, or any other part of your child's routine. Kids connect with a separate app called Joon Pet Game. When kids complete parent-assigned tasks, they get rewards that allow them to take care of a virtual pet and move forward in the game. Joon increases independence and self-esteem while helping kids feel motivated.
90% of kids who use Joon finish all the items on their to-do lists, and many parents say that Joon has improved their parent-child relationship. Joon is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in the App Store, with more than 4k reviews.
Click here to claim your free trial.
Celebrate small successes
Many people with ADHD experience procrastination. As a result, they might over-rely on the adrenaline of finishing things last minute. However, while there are times when this works, it is not an ideal way to address every large task. If your child has a multi-step task or a looming deadline for a large project to complete, celebrating smaller goals along the way is an excellent way to aid motivation. To do this, you may use strategies such as a reward system or verbal praise. Reward ideas can include but aren't limited to small objects, a sticker chart, experiences, or apps like Joon.
Break big tasks into smaller pieces
If you want to celebrate smaller goals and successes along the way when working on a big or multi-step task, you and your child must first break them down into smaller chunks. Teach kids to set a clear goal for each step. For example, writing the outline for an essay might be the first step toward writing a whole essay. This can help those who are feeling unmotivated in more than one way. Not only can kids identify, celebrate, and meet goals, but it can also help them curb feelings of overwhelm caused by looking at the bigger picture.
Tap into creativity
Feeling bored can and often does co-occur with a lack of motivation. People with inattentive ADHD often get bored more easily than others. To make boring tasks more fun, get creative and turn them into a game. A common example is "racing against the clock" to finish a task like picking up toys or clothes from the floor. To play, use a timer and challenge kids to clean before it turns out. Many adults do this, too! Teaching kids how to use creative thinking skills and find ways to make tasks fun now will help them later in life in addition to supporting motivation.
Tailor tasks to interests
Similar to tapping into creativity, it can be helpful to connect tasks to interests. This could look like kids brushing their teeth to a favorite song or while they clean dishes. It could also look like making a math problem into a story related to a child's interests, using themed organizational tools, or something else.
Incorporate movement when possible
Physical movement is great for physical and mental health. A growing number of studies suggest that it can also help reduce ADHD symptoms. Research on physical activity for ADHD has found improvements in academic scores, executive functions, and motivation in people with ADHD following physical activity. Incorporate movement before or as part of tasks to promote well-being, focus, and motivation.
Make routines
Creating and solidifying routines can make certain tasks easier. Adding a particular task to a routine helps it become habitual, which can help kids overcome a lack of motivation and self-control. For example, if your child's not quite a morning person but has daily tasks to do in the morning, making a supportive morning and nighttime routine can help set your child up for success. You might create a plan together where kids get everything they can done in the evening, like packing their backpacks for school the next day. What kids can't do the night before, like taking morning medications, eating breakfast, and getting dressed, can be reserved for the morning.
Use organizational tools
Organization tools and strategies that help kids keep track of current tasks can be beneficial for kids with ADHD who may forget or lose focus. These can include but aren't limited to checklists, apps, timers, folders, and calendars.
Signs Your Child Is Inattentive
What if you suspect that your child has primarily inattentive ADHD but don't know yet? Primarily inattentive ADHD was most often diagnosed as attention deficit disorder (ADD) in the past. Now, even if no symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity are present, people with significant symptoms of inattention not better explained by another condition may meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. Six or more symptoms of inattention must be present for individuals aged 16 or below to be diagnosed, or five or more for individuals aged 17+.
Potential symptoms of inattention in ADHD include:
- Forgetfulness
- Getting distracted easily
- Trouble listening when spoken to directly
- Frequent difficulty organizing tasks or activities
- Frequent trouble holding attention during play activities or tasks
- Frequent failure to give attention to detail or making seemingly careless mistakes
- Losing necessary items for tasks and activities frequently (pens or books for school, cell phone, etc.).
- Frequent trouble following through on instructions and failure to finish tasks like school work and chores (due to loss of focus, getting side-tracked, etc.).
- Frequent avoidance, dislike of, or reluctance to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort, like homework and classwork.
If this sounds like your child, talking with a medical or mental health provider can help. Prior to providing an ADHD diagnosis, professionals will screen kids for any other potential root causes and provide a thorough evaluation. ADHD treatment, which most often includes a combination of medication and therapy, can help with symptoms of inattention that affect a child's life.
Takeaway
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can affect motivation. However, there are ways to overcome motivation problems in those with ADHD. Use the above tips, like using creativity to make a boring task more fun, making tasks into exciting games, and celebrating small goals, to help inattentive kids with ADHD get motivated and complete tasks. Signs of inattention include but aren't limited to forgetfulness, being easily distracted, and trouble organizing tasks and activities. Talk with your child's doctor if you believe they may have ADHD or have any additional concerns.
About
Dr. Carrie Jackson, PhD
