busy hands

Greetings Linda,

I’m assuming you mean his busy hand movements are always controlled and not uncontrolled movements.

I don’t believe you will find much success in attempting to teach him to stop these movements but rather teach him socially appropriate ways to fidget. First of all I would encourage you to ask your son if HE sees this as a problem and if so, ask what he suggests he can do about it. You may be amazed with his insight! Brainstorm ideas with him. His participation in the problem solving process will give him more ownerhsip of the problem. My daughter did well with one of those stress reducing squeeze sacks that are filled with sand. With the teacher’s okay, it can be kept out-of-sight just inside the desk but easily accessible. Pen/paper doodling, hair twirling, quiet finger drumming are other socially acceptable ways to fidget.

What suggestions has his teacher provided?

Blessings, momo

thank you Momo for the ideas..I am not sure if the hands are controlled or uncontrolled. I will talk with him since he is older now and understands. The teachers think kids should just sit there and be robots. In fact one teacher said he was doing good, except he likes to draw which was “inappropiate” during class. You see he has about 7 or 8 teachers during the week..each subject is a different teacher. I try to keep contact with them all. After a few intense meetings he is now allowed to draw in class if his work is done. Drawing helps keep him focused and not irritating other childers He is always the first person done with his work and has plenty of free time to sit quietly. He cannot sit quietly. His grades have always been on the average of 80% and above since first grade, so I know he is listening and learning and he tells me he can do 2 and 3 things at one time

I purchased some world “squeeze balls” which you can find at any toy store or the Oriental Traders Catalogue. I give them to students who, like your son, just have to be doing something. You can’t make noise with a squeeze ball.

Somewhat AD/h/D myself, I doodle a lot during faculty meetings and allow my students to do the same in class but my favorite and most successful approach are the squeeze balls.

Good luck.

It’a so nice to hear from a teacher that really understands…..thank you so very much…Linda

I teach many children w/ ADHD. Your son sounds very bright and is obviously able to do many things at one time. If his quiet doodling does not disturb others and he is still able to focus on the task at hand- I don’t see the problem! How about puzzles, math manipulatives, etc.. during free time or when his work is finished. This may take some time/cooperation from the teacher though. Other students can be very understanding when the teacher is accomodating to each student as an individual and explains to the others that this is what helps your son “keep his hands busy”. Good Luck!

Lisa,

I know exactly what you mean!! My son is severe ADHD also, and is constantly finding something to do with his hands, whether it be picking his cuticles, or picking at the carpet he is sitting on! He once shedded the “reading mat” in his first grade class just picking away at it. Here’s what I did, with the acceptance of his teacher: I asked if he could have one of those “stress balls” that they use in physical therapy to build up his dexterity. He was allowed to keep it in his desk, and out of view of the other children and squeeze when he needed something to do. This also kept him from tearing about his cuticles, which were looking quite nasty!

If you do decide to do this, make sure you pick up a stress ball that is not made of a light foam rubber! I’ve learned from experience that these can be pick apart quite easily.

Hope this helps!

Rebecca Holt