What to Do with an Adhd Teenager in the Summer?

Well, first did you know that ADHD is a symptom of something else? He doesn't know how to make friends socially because the impulsitivity. He needs help learning how to socialize. If the core issue are not addressed he will keeping making the same soical mistakes.ADHD is fixable and often made in to a misdiagnosed lable. For example, it could be anxiety. What socail situations make hime nervous then cause hime to be inmpulsive.

Have you asked him what he enjoys doing? I know it may not sound fun to you or how you prefer he spends his time, but it may interest him. How about some activities where he can socialize and make friends, but I would not suggest setting him up in those situations with including professional help( I understand this). If he is self-medicating with food...then I would reccommend seeing the doctor (I underestand how personal this is but I know this issue all to well).

Drama is a great activity for kids with social-emotional issues. Camp is great too! How about a sport that is less team oriented, like golf or tennis. Hope this is helpful. I would spend some individual time talking about his feelings. He is old enough to get a summer job. How about something part-time that would make him feel successful? He likes camp-is he good with kids? Maybe let him sign-up again as a junior camp counselor.

Hi - I can understand this because I was a kid with the same issue (undiagnosed ADHD - no one heard of it back then). It's really hard to get involved with just any kids, and you always feel like an outsider. Best suggestion have is to have him find an activity he REALLY likes (bike riding = check out local bike shops, training places, etc) and look for a group associated with that interest. Real friendships will develop from these common interests.
good luck!

J.

see if you can get him a job, or if he can get one himself! if he gets along well with adults anyway, this would be a great self-esteem booster, and might take him away from buying junk all the time.

I got my 13 year old son a pool pass to the local pool for the summer. He can ride his bike, come and go as he pleases, and has a lifeguard watching him all day. Well worth the $80!

I don't know if you attend a church or not but youth groups are a great place for kids to meet other kids! My son is kind of a loner too and is NOT ADHD- so I know that it does break your heart- unfortunately our church's youth group mostly consists of older kids- but he still loves going and our youth pastor is really a great guy!!!!! Take care and good luck to you :) If you don't have a church and are interested (and from the Rockford/Loves Park area) let me know and I can tell you about my church!!! :)

Hi Lisa,

I'll bet there are support groups for children and parents dealing with ADHD. A good source would be his doctor, maybe you could even search online for groups in your community, I guess that is what you're doing here though. Whatever you find, your son is already one step ahead by having a mother who cares. Good luck with everything.

HI Could you check into having him do some volunteer work at local shelters?? I know in my town they put articles in the local paper asking for "kids" to come and play with the animals (like take the dogs for walks). I don't know what you have around you, but I know they look for volunteers to come and brush horses or work around the stables. Maybe he could start a lawn mowing service. I don't know if he has interests in anything like that, but my thinking was just find something where he "works" around adults. My son has ADHD too and he has always loved to "help". Just a few thoughts....good luck! He is very lucky to have a mom that cares so much!! :o) K.

why not enroll him in a martial arts class. We have been checking into this for my grandson who is not quite ready yet but have gotten some great response especially from the group in Fox Lake

Maybe you could start a group on meetup.com or yahoo in your area for moms of teens with ADHD to get together. I bet you would be surprised at how many people might be interested. It would give you and others the ability to help your teens with social skills with peers and you may find some friends as well. There is a cost with meetup but yahoo is free. This could be a temporary solution as well so that he could meet a few new friends and then end the group. Best wishes!