ADHD & Video Games

Why is it do you think kids with ADHD can sit and focus solely on a video game for HOURS and doing anything else they are all over the place impulsive, inattentive, and disorganized? Just a thought...

... I always wonder .. Lol DH won't ever concentrate unless he's playing video games...

Because it's something they're really interested in.

I dont know. But I would rather have a kid that focuses on video games then be a zombie.

Quoting April Hayman:" Why is it do you think kids with ADHD can sit and focus solely on a video game for HOURS and doing anything else they are all over the place impulsive, inattentive, and disorganized? Just a thought..."

Because video games are so mentally stimulating. Lots of colors, quickly changing storylines, lots of action, etc. They are meant to hold your attention.

Quoting Chim Richalds:" Because video games are so mentally stimulating. Lots of colors, quickly changing storylines, lots of action, etc. They are meant to hold your attention."

Same reason they can usually sit and watch Tv for a long time.

because they€€kre so fast paced

Quoting Yurvon [♥]:" I dont know. But I would rather have a kid that focuses on video games then be a zombie. "

Agreed!

Video games are very stimulating for the brain. Worth like 1000 images at once. flashes, colors, movements at your command. You are in control of this super stimulating awesome picture flashing thing. Kids with ADHD can get very addicted to them. Which in turn can make the ADHD worse because after the video game, everything in real life seems so slow. Even harder to focus on and less stimulating then before video games were started.

My son has severe ADD and could spend days in front of the Wii or his DS. He gets to play but it is a treat versus a right. When he plays too much it really shows effects on his inability to focus and mood for hours after.

Quoting myr-a-myr:" Video games are very stimulating for the brain. Worth like 1000 images at once. flashes, colors, movements ... [snip!] ... is a treat versus a right. When he plays too much it really shows effects on his inability to focus and mood for hours after."

My son loves the wii.. I agree that you have to limit it. My son loves moving around and playing it. And it seems after he plays it he is a little bit less crazy.

Quoting Yurvon [♥]:" My son loves the wii.. I agree that you have to limit it. My son loves moving around and playing it. And it seems after he plays it he is a little bit less crazy. "

Oh for sure mine too. But there are weekends when he goes to grandpa and grandma and plays 8 hours straight...he gets worse then ever hahaha.

The Wii is a little different since you get up and jump swing etc. Spend energy! Playing sitting down like his DS though he gets grumpy very quickly. He does not have hyperactivity though, just the attention deficit disorder.

Quoting myr-a-myr:" Video games are very stimulating for the brain. Worth like 1000 images at once. flashes, colors, movements ... [snip!] ... is a treat versus a right. When he plays too much it really shows effects on his inability to focus and mood for hours after."

THAT WAS MY THOUGHT AS WELL...Oops, I'm yelling. lol Sorry...My 14 year old is HOOKED on them. He could play them for days at a time. If I take the games away he is moody and clearly visibly upset. I told him when school starts again he gets a certain amount of time a day he can play. (After homework and the usual chores are finished) I know this will make him mad but I am not sure how I am going to do it yet. I always thought it was an addiction but never really knew it really could be an addiction. I want to be fair about it. (My SO wants to take it away from him altogether.) But I did tell him if any of his grades dip below a "C" it ill be gone until is grades improve.

Quoting myr-a-myr:" Oh for sure mine too. But there are weekends when he goes to grandpa and grandma and plays 8 hours straight...he ... [snip!] ... like his DS though he gets grumpy very quickly. He does not have hyperactivity though, just the attention deficit disorder."

Oh yeah my son for sure had adhd... [he hasnt been tested; but I know the signs lol]. And I love that he has the wii.. the DS makes mine grumpy and more angry than the wii.

My son is 4 and has severe adhd, his dad has it as well.... but i love it when my son plays his video games, because i can actually focus on house work or cooking... i dont let him do it tho for long periods of time... i force him to go outside and play, and he still trys to come in to play his games...so when im outside with him i actually have to lock the front door so he cant run in every 10 min to play a little at a time.. lol... but i know alot of parents dont believe in this kind of thing but to me video games are a blessing!!! he loves to play the lego games on ps3... and alot of stuff on those games are puzzles and stuff u have to figure out... and he is really good at it!!! great brain stimulation for a growing hyperactive child!!   and it gives mommy a break.. hehe

Quoting myr-a-myr:" Video games are very stimulating for the brain. Worth like 1000 images at once. flashes, colors, movements ... Kids with ADHD can get very addicted to them. Which in turn can make the ADHD worse because after the video game, everything in real life seems so slow.snip!] ... is a treat versus a right. When he plays too much it really shows effects on his inability to focus and mood for hours after."

 
My husband is addicted to video games and cannot sit and focus on one thing. He played World of Warcraft for 5 years anywhere from 8-16 hours a day before we met. He will get off of WOW or COD and "try" to spend time with me but will start playing a game that requires less attention on his phone. I NEVER have his full attention. He seems completely bored with life. His daughter is starting to be the same way. I am praying that our 3 sons will not have this problem, so far my 14 month old is pretty easy to entertain. I will be restricting the video games in the future because i see the effects it has in the long run. The Wii doesn't seem like such a bad idea though.