Obsessed with TV

[MissOz]

Most people say children with ADHD can’t stay on a particular task/activity for long. My daughter, however, can spend the rest of her life in front of the TV or iPad if I’d let her. Any one else experience this? Can concentration be selective when they want ?!

[Aniusia]

Hello, I learned that kids with adhd can super focus and be super concentrated on something they enjoy doing. ( unfortunately it isn’t school) My son used to sit with LEGO sets for hours, now he can work on his scooter forever, but ask him to do his homework-meltdown .

[Hidden]

It's called hyper focusing and is very common with adhd. My son can spend hours on tablet looking things up

[ElinaK35]

Hi, our 10 year old is exactly the same way and its a constant source of argument between my spouse and I. He has no motivation or interest to do anything at all and just wants to go from screen to screen... TV, tablet, PlayStation. Summer time we had to be lenient because he had too much free time and "nothing to do" as he would say. Once school starts he gets 30 min plus he can earn additional time by doing things on a chart. Kids with ADHD need instant gratification... Working toward a future goal is very hard for them and screens give them that feeling of being instantly rewarded. I wish he would sit with legos or puzzles or read but all of that is a fight :(.

[Mama_Maehem]

Just the same as my daughter!

I heard it explained as ADHD makes it hard to know what to pay attention to. She can’t filter that TV isn’t more important than Mom talking.

[Vickie109]

I recently learned that ADHD is an interest based nervous system vs priority or importance based for the nerotypical. That means their focus is on what interests them and they have to come up with ways to "get interested" in other things, like homework. I highly recommend the website Additudemag.com. You can sign up for their emails to get the latest articles. Such a wonderful source of information.

[5Flyingeagle]

My daughter is obsessed with her tablet. She loves YouTube.

[JLT77]

TV and electronics are a quick easy stimulant for them. It keeps their brains moving. We try to limit electronic time and supplement with other engaging activities. Most ADHD kids are great doing activities with their hands, crafts, lego's etc... My son is 10 y/o so he has tons of lego's and crafting items. Perler beads is a good idea. We do let him listen to music as much as he wants as its a release for him and he likes to dance so that's a great way to burn off some of his high energy!!!