Music is known to activate the brain in a myriad of ways. For children and even adults with ADHD, music therapy has been found to bolster their focus and attention, as well as reduce hyperactivity and strengthen social skills. Children with ADHD are therefore able to use music to train their brains, enhancing their self-control and ability to focus in the classroom and at home.
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disability that is typically diagnosed at a young age. It often results from problems during childbirth, trauma as well as other circumstantial issues. Some of the things that ADHD patients struggle with include speech, attention, memory and hearing – elements that are vital to normal education and learning.
Some medical professionals who make diagnosis for ADHD conclude the learning levels decrease for individuals as they age, making it impossible for some to move past grade school from an education perspective. Via CMUSE
The good news is that music education helps to strengthen the abilities that are compromised as a result of ADHD, and it all starts with listening.
Listening is the fundamental element in all of education. Training someone to listen and respond to what they hear impacts their ability to focus and concentrate. Listening is as essential to music education as the alphabet is to grammar school.
Music is like steroids for the brain. It builds and strengthens the areas of the brain responsible for reading, math, language, and problem solving (among others). Music lessons for those with ADHD have been proven to counter the negative effects associated with the disorder including self-esteem, concentration, memory, and impulse control. Via CMUSE
According to experts, music provides structure. It is limited to time, with a definite beginning, middle and end. Structure is critical for the ADHD brain as it struggles to regulate itself to stick to a linear path, so that it is able to plan, anticipate and react. During music therapy, patients learn to listen, anticipate changes, take turns and pick up on cues in way they would otherwise be unable to do.
The benefits of music for children with ADHD are not just theoretical. Cheryl Mow, a music therapist with experience working with special needs students at Brightstars, a program that aims to provide holistic education for children with ADHD, autism and learning challenges.
Music therapy may help to promote wellness by managing stress, enhancing memory, and improving communication. Music is a fantastic way to encourage eye contact, speech, cognition, group interaction and more. Via Brightstars
Brandon was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of six. He also suffered from severe learning disabilities. Experts predicted he would have difficulty learning, focusing and concentrating, and that it was unlikely that he would graduate from high school. College was not an option. But Brandon’s mother, Sharlene, was not easily discouraged.
I decided to take the experts’ conclusions as one possibility, and not get too discouraged. I researched ADHD and learning disabilities — asking questions and aggressively networking. I learned that it takes time to solve such challenges. I learned that all learning disabilities start with auditory processing — the child can hear, but has difficulty processing what he hears. This can affect his ability to concentrate and focus. I enrolled Brandon in learning programs, many of which helped. Music, though, was the key to unlocking his ability to learn. Via AdditudeMag
Brandon was exposed to classical music from birth and by the time he turned three, he was taking group music lessons. He was learning piano on a color-coded piano by age 5 and taking private lessons by age 8.
How is Brandon doing today? He is 31 years old, married, works in the film industry, and writes blogs on philosophy. Music is still an important part of his life. He listens to classical music while traveling to work each day and plays the piano weekly. Brandon has the tools and understanding to make ADHD his “friend.” He will always be somewhat of a round peg expected to fit in a square hole, but he is a happy, successful adult who embraces the differences in people. Via AdditudeMag
Some of the activities Sharlene recommends for parents facing the same challenges she faced include: enrolling their kids in group music lessons; encouraging them to listen to music with a strong beat, dance to the music and even draw what they hear; reading music books; starting private lessons; selecting an ADD-friendly instruments for their kids to learn, among others.
Presenting a young person with an instrument and teaching them to play it might be the best medicine that can be prescribed to actually change the behavior, instead of over medication. We know where that road takes people. Via CMUSE
Featured Image: Image Credit
ADHD & autism can look a lot alike. Not knowing the differences can lead to misdiagnoses: https://t.co/ubgIbzPLP9 pic.twitter.com/AeFaybCFf6
— Harvard Health (@HarvardHealth) October 27, 2015
Spending more time in nature improves concentration and significantly reduces #ADHD symptoms https://t.co/6EKiFciKT8pic.twitter.com/kIL2gSzWHa — MotherNatureNetwork (@MotherNatureNet) October 23, 2015
Related Articles:
Music Therapy: 8 Best Songs for ADHD Minds
Scientific research confirms that music can heal and strengthen the brain. Try these 8 tried-and-true classical songs to help your child with ADHD focus, improve language acquisition, and even sleep. The Benefits of Music Therapy Music can work wonders on the ADHD brain, improving everything from language development to impulse control. The following pieces of classical music were scientifically tested and found to help children concentrate and focus better. Think of these songs as background music — it doesn’t need to be loud for the benefits to shine through! Via AdditudeMag
Music Therapy for Children With ADHD
As an ADHD alternative treatment, music therapy can be calming and help children focus better. And the best part: No musical talent required. First developed at the University of Michigan in 1944, music therapy has long been used to help people with conditions such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Music therapy also has been shown to help children with ADHD and is being used more frequently for that very reason. Via Everyday Health
ADHD Awareness Month in 1 minute. You’re welcome!
