After-school Activities
Participating in activities after school can be terrific for your child. It can help burn off excess energy, teach life skills, improve self-esteem, and help your child explore his or her talents and interests. For example, your child may participate in:

Sports
While team sports can be a way for your child to make new friends and improve social skills, some team sports require too much attention and impulse control for a child with ADHD. If this is true of your child, consider sports like swimming or running in which your child competes against himself or herself and earns the pride of gaining a new skill without attracting attention.

Art, Drama, or Music Classes
All of these provide terrific ways for your child to express himself or herself. If your child does not do well with group learning, find an older peer or individual instructor to share these interests with your child.

Model Building or Woodworking
Such activities allow your child to create a concrete product, which is an effective way to build your child's confidence.

Martial Arts
The discipline of learning martial arts can be empowering and excellent for your child's self-esteem.

Youth Activity Groups
Scouting, for example, provides an opportunity for children with ADHD to establish positive role models, interact with other children, and do activities that build practical skills and self-esteem.

Children with ADHD often have the most difficulty with their peers. They may do better one-on-one with a younger or older child, or with an adult or grandparent. When your child finds a social experience that works, do all you can to provide him or her with more opportunities for these rewarding situations.