Growing through play: Support for ADHD and giftedness
Children with ADHD and/or giftedness often need special support. Games and creative toys are ideal for training their concentration and channeling their drive.
Children with ADHD or combined giftedness face unique challenges . Their intellectual abilities and their attention deficits for "boring things" conflict, making everyday life difficult. Yet this very combination holds enormous potential if you know how to encourage it. A surprisingly effective approach is through games and toys that stimulate both attention and creative thinking and action . They offer optimal access to supporting children and young people with these special characteristics—such as intelligence and drive.
What is ADHD and what is giftedness?
ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or neurodivergence , affects many children. Typical symptoms include difficulty concentrating , impulsivity , and hyperactivity .
Giftedness, on the other hand, is characterized by exceptional cognitive abilities, such as quick thinking, a high capacity for learning, and creativity . When these two factors come together, a particular challenge arises: Children with ADHD and giftedness often have difficulty concentrating, even though they are intellectually (far) above average. These children can switch between intense engagement with a subject and complete distraction within minutes. A constant battle ensues between their giftedness and intelligence—and their inability to consistently access them.
Challenges in development
The combination of ADHD and giftedness strongly influences cognitive and emotional development. A common problem is a lack of attention , which prevents the children from fully utilizing their intellectual abilities. High impulsivity and low frustration tolerance are other issues these children often struggle with. Their quick comprehension and interconnected thinking often lead to boredom in traditional learning environments, while emotional outbursts or a lack of concentration due to ADHD-HI or ADHD-I ("ADD") can hinder learning success. This is where games come in as a valuable method of support.
How games can help
Games offer a unique opportunity to address the specific challenges of ADHD and giftedness. They train both attention and cognitive skills without being overwhelming. The playful element creates motivation and provides a space to test and improve skills in a safe environment.
Increase attention and impulse control:
Games that promote concentration, such as memory games or puzzles, strengthen the ability to focus on a task for extended periods. At the same time, children learn to control their impulsiveness, as many games require patience and strategic thinking.
Promote creative and strategic thinking:
Gifted children need challenges . Games like chess or complex strategy games stimulate creative and analytical thinking. They provide a space in which children can explore their intellectual abilities and refine their problem-solving strategies.
Cooperative games strengthen social skills:
ADHD is often accompanied by social difficulties, as children act impulsively and have trouble integrating into groups. Cooperative games like "Forbidden Island" or "Pandemic" promote teamwork and help control impulses while strengthening social interactions. This is especially important for children with ADHD, as they are all too often on the fringes of groups and feel unwelcome and misunderstood.
Individual support through games
Every child is unique, especially when ADHD and giftedness coexist. Therefore, it's important to customize games to address both the children's cognitive abilities and difficulties. Some games can be easily adapted by offering different difficulty levels or addressing different learning styles.
Different levels of difficulty:
Games that vary in difficulty, such as "Cortex" or "Ubongo," allow children to challenge themselves without becoming overwhelmed. Such games adapt to the children's learning pace while simultaneously promoting the ability to solve tasks in a structured manner.
Motivation through reward systems:
Another important aspect is sustained motivation. Children with ADHD quickly lose interest if a task takes too long or is perceived as too difficult. Games that offer small rewards or progression, such as levels or points , help maintain motivation over time. This creates a reward system that gives children a sense of control and success .
The role of parents and teachers
Parents and teachers play a key role in supporting children with ADHD and giftedness. They should pay attention to which games are particularly suitable and what additional challenges a child needs to reach their full potential. Regular playtime together helps strengthen children's attention while also promoting social skills .
Behavioral therapy and playful interventions
In conjunction with therapeutic measures, games can be used specifically to change potentially undesirable behavior (such as regular outbursts of anger). Behavioral therapy, which focuses on impulse control and concentration, can be perfectly supported by playful approaches. This method creates a relaxed learning environment and allows children to learn or find a calm focus (flow) without feeling under pressure.
Scientific findings and research
The positive effects of games on children with ADHD are well documented. Studies show that games promote neuroplasticity in the brain and thus have a positive impact on cognitive development . Especially for children with ADHD and giftedness, targeted games can help develop existing talents while simultaneously reducing the negative effects of ADHD.
Practical game recommendations
Finally, some specific games that are particularly suitable for development:
Board games: Games like "Rush Hour" or "Ubongo" promote strategic thinking while simultaneously training attention. They offer a wide range of difficulty levels and can be easily adapted to individual needs.
Digital learning games: Apps like "Lumosity" or "Elevate" offer cognitive challenges and are particularly suitable for children who enjoy digital learning. They promote memory, attention, problem-solving, and third-dimensional thinking.
Movement games: Physical activities that incorporate playful elements are also important. Games of skill or sports like climbing promote coordination – and simultaneously train concentration. Exercise in general increases dopamine levels in the brain – thus acting in the same way as ADHD medication.
CONCLUSION: Games are a valuable resource for supporting children with ADHD and giftedness . They promote both cognitive and social skills and also provide an exciting, child-friendly way to unlock these children's enormous potential.
> Games for promoting giftedness
Questions and answers about ADHD & giftedness (Q&A)
Q: What is ADHD and how does it manifest itself?
A: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurobiological deviation from the norm characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Those affected often have difficulty concentrating, completing tasks, or sitting still. They also experience and express very strong emotions.
Q: What is meant by giftedness?
A: Giftedness refers to above-average intelligence or special talents in one or more areas that are significantly above average. This is usually defined by an IQ score above 130. However, IQ tests are controversial because they primarily target abilities that are widely desired in the economic sphere and barely assess creative talents such as good body language or artistic/musical talent.
Q: Is there a connection between ADHD and giftedness?
A: Yes, there is some evidence that giftedness is more common in people with ADHD, but the research on this is not yet complete. The combination of ADHD and giftedness, also known as "twice exceptional" or "2e," can lead to what is known as "masking," where either ADHD or the giftedness is overlooked . Estimates suggest that approximately 10-20% of gifted children may also have ADHD, which is higher than the proportion of ADHD in the general population (5%). Gifted individuals with ADHD often demonstrate strong creativity and problem-solving skills, but struggle with completing projects and organizing/structuring their daily lives.
Q: What challenges arise from this combination?
A: Those affected often experience inner restlessness, sensory overload, and difficulty channeling their talents. The discrepancy between their potential and their everyday performance frequently leads to frustration and lower self-esteem. The problem lies in the fact that routine and "boring tasks" don't just feel boring in ADHD, but are downright torturous. The ADHD brain, or rather its neural networks, only fire when something is highly relevant (for the "owner") – or when it is urgent or dangerous. Other tasks are postponed (procrastination) or even forgotten.
Q: How can one simultaneously promote giftedness and reduce the symptoms of ADHD?
A: Structure, individualized support for talents/interests, and plenty of flexibility in everyday life are crucial. Creative tasks that offer sufficient variety—as well as an environment that demonstrates understanding for both aspects—can help a child fully develop their potential despite ADHD. Where there is light, there is always shadow. But the light of children with ADHD can shine particularly brightly in the right environment.