Being told your child has ADHD can be devastating and not knowing how to deal with it or what treatment and support options are available magnifies the issue.
ADHD affects not only the child but the whole family. The demands of a child with ADHD can be exhausting, mentally and physically. Emotions such as guilt, anger, shame, anxiousness and vulnerability break through the most resistant armour, as parents try to understand their child’s behaviour. The child with ADHD will also need emotional and social support.
Because they can be “challenging” to both adults and other children, their self-esteem may be affected and children with ADHD may lack positive experiences with accomplishment and friendships. Research shows that 50-80% of teens with ADHD have significant interpersonal difficulties, impacting relationships with parents, teachers and friends. As parents, we want the best for our kids - a large social circle of friends, success in school and life-long happiness. So when an ADHD diagnosis becomes our reality, we are willing to pull out all stops for our kids to live as normal as possible with all the support ever invented. In fact, we often want to live our children’s lives for them; to shield them from the pain and challenges we believe are coming their way. Sadly, we often forget about taking care of ourselves in the process. If we don’t stay healthy and positive we cannot help our children.
Fortunately, today, there are many alternative and unconventional methods available for managing ADHD symptoms. The information age, online forums and support groups have enabled parents to educate themselves about how best to manage and successfully parent their child. You have choices. Music and art therapy, mindfulness programmes, outdoor activities involving sports and life-skills.
Equine guided activities are another choice. The exercises are designed as building blocks to open new neural pathways in our mind and our body by stretching our ability to feel the presence and intention of others through using our entire bodies as a sensory device. Children with ADHD generally have issues with executive function, the ability to think and plan ahead, to organise, focus and complete tasks. Horses are excellent communicators and teachers and respond to a person’s intentions, emotions and thoughts that are conveyed subconsciously through body language. Working with horses can help the ADHD child with planning, increased focus and staying on a task, improved self-confidence (working with a 1200 pound animal can be intimidating), controlling anger and other emotional reactions and improved relationship building. All of the activities with the horses take place on the ground (no riding) in a safe environment designed specifically to help children and their parents reduce stress, improve their relationships, focus and peace of mind!
With thanks to Pia Ault, ICF Certified Coach (ACC), Caballus Consulting.