When your child needs a dopamine hit in the summer holidays

ADHD brains need dopamine because it helps us pay attention, control our behavior, and make decisions. When someone has ADHD, their brain doesn't have as much dopamine as it needs, which makes it harder to stay focused and control impulses.

Dopamine helps us remember things, think flexibly, and have self-control. People with ADHD usually struggle with these skills. Dopamine is also important for feeling motivated and staying calm. Because of this, people with ADHD often crave activities that give them a boost of dopamine.

As the summer holiday approaches, it can be challenging for parents to keep their ADHD children happy and occupied without causing problems. One idea is to make a treat box or jar. Write down different activities or treats that your child enjoys on pieces of colored paper. These could be things like 15 minutes of video games, watching a favorite TV show, playing outside, or going for ice cream.

Whenever your child needs a dopamine boost, let them pick an activity from the jar. You can use the jar as part of a daily schedule or as a reward. If your child has very specific interests, you might choose only a few of the same activities for them to pick put of the jar. Over time, you can introduce new ones to help them explore different things.

Make sure the activities are things they like to do and the surprise and the activity will give a much needed boost of dopamine over the holidays.