Is your ADHD child addicted to video games?

According to several studies, children with an autism spectrum disorder spend about twice as much time playing video games as kids who don’t have a developmental disability.

While video games can be beneficial, when a child with ADHD hyper-focusses on gaming and becomes hooked, too much of a good thing can be a very bad thing. Here’s how to break your child’s gaming habit.

Why do kids enjoy video games?

Any child will tell you that video games are entertaining and exciting. It turns out that they can also be educational and informative. Gaming has been shown to improve eye-hand coordination and promote pleasant social connections. Children with attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) with little athletic desire or aptitude can compete in games and challenges and develop friendships with other gamers.

However, because solitary gaming takes time away from sports, studies, and other peer activities for children, an interest can quickly turn into a video game obsession.

According to surveys, children spend an average of 49 minutes per day playing video games. When a child’s video gaming console is in the bedroom, playtime skyrockets to over three hours. If parents rely on handheld devices to keep their children calm during restaurant meals, long car rides, or unstructured weekends, they may unknowingly contribute to the problem.

Here are a few tips on how you can help wean your child off of computer games.

Recognise the appeal of video games for ADHD children

Video games have a specific appeal to children with ADHD. A youngster who is easily distracted in real life may be capable of intense focus, or hyperfocus, while playing. In addition, hyperactivity is not an issue; a child can hold the controllers and stand or pace back and forth in front of the TV while playing.

These games entertain and level the playing field for children who struggle to make friends or lack the abilities to participate in team sports. Emotionally, computer games are safe. When a child strikes out during a baseball game, he is doing it in front of his peers. However, if he makes a mistake while playing a video game, no one else needs to know.

Teachers do not mark video-game mistakes in red ink. Making mistakes, in fact, helps the player develop. He learns the particular action required to move the next time through trial and error. There is a sense of accomplishment in continuously developing and, eventually, winning with no risk of failure or ridicule.

Set limits for video game play

Any parent of a child with ADHD is aware that these children frequently lack the ability to self-regulate. This is especially true when it comes to enjoyable activities that encourage and reward hyperfocus. As a result, parents must be the ones to set and enforce boundaries, especially for children who have become accustomed to excessive video-game use.

First, both parents must agree on a set of ground rules. This is frequently the most difficult process. How long can our child play after school? Is it necessary to complete homework first? Chores? What about on the weekends? Which games are completely prohibited (see “Kid-friendly Content” at the bottom)? Which websites are safe for our child to visit if they wish to play online games? Discuss the rules with your child and explain how they will be enforced.

Enforce the video game playing rules

When gaming is prohibited, you may need to lock the game or otherwise ensure that the game and its controls are physically unavailable. You may hand them over to your child when they are allowed to play and tell them, “You’ve got 30 minutes.”

Set a timer when playtime begins. Then, on a regular basis, issue warnings: “You have 15 minutes to go.” When the timer runs out, say, “You can save your game while I wait here”, and give your child the time needed to do so.

If your child meets the time restriction for several days in a row, consider recording their progress and rewarding them with a few extra minutes at the end of the week. Insist on the fact that as they exhibit greater responsibility, they will earn additional rights.

If, however, your child continues to play despite your requests for them to unplug, do not yell, unplug the power, or engage in a wrestling battle to reclaim power. Instead, gently remind them of the ground rules.

Then declare that for every minute they continue to play, one minute will be deducted from the time allotted the following day.

Provide video game alternatives

Once you’ve limited your child’s time spent playing video games, find other activities for them to pass the time.

Look for an activity in which your child can feel successful, one that plays to their abilities and talents. If team sports are too challenging, consider swimming, martial arts, golf, bowling, or gymnastics, which emphasise individual achievement.

Alternatively, look into non-competitive group activities in your region, such as an arts and crafts class.

Stick to recommended age restrictions

There is no evidence that video game content affects children’s behaviour. Many parents, however, are concerned about the brutality embedded in many popular computer games.

How can you keep inappropriate language, visuals, and content out of your home? Inquire with other parents about any games your child has requested. Play the game or watch someone else play it. Also, look at its ratings.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board assigns each computer game one of the following classifications, similar to how movies are classed for suitable age levels:

Early Childhood Education (ECE): suitable for ages three and older
E: suitable for ages six and older
E10+: Everyone over the age of ten
Tween: suitable for 13 and older
M: Mature content (violence, blood and gore, sexual content, strong language). Recommended for ages 17 and above, with parental permission.