Over the last three weeks we've looked at three of the fundamental components of a solid foundation for living well with ADHD: sleep, exercise, and connection.

This week we are looking at another element that contributes to a solid foundation, and it may surprise you. It's play! 

Unstructured play is critical for human development. According to researcher Sergio Pellis, "The experience of play changes the connections of the neurons at the front end of your brain. And without play experience, those neurons aren't changed." 

During childhood, the executive control center of the brain is "wired up" by those changes. Executive functions have to do with managing yourself and your resources to achieve a goal. Executive functions include skills such as time management, organization, prioritization, getting started on a task, emotional regulation, etc. Most of us with ADHD are challenged in the area of executive functions, so play can really help!

It's "unstructured" play that is important for creating the "brain wiring" changes and building a pro-social brain. Unstructured play is creative, free-flowing, and a wonderful context for learning problem-solving skills and working out social challenges. With unstructured play there are no expected outcomes, no rules (unless you create some), and there is no pressure. Rough-housing (pillow fighting, for example) is a great way for kids to develop social intelligence. If kids engage in rough-housing with their parents, imagine the fun and connection, not to mention memories created!

Play is not just for kids. Adults need a steady diet of play as well. ADHD Coach Marla Cummins says that play helps ADHD adults in these ways:

So, how can you bring more play into your life or the lives of your kids? Maybe you can make a game of turning a chore into play! If you find something that works well, please let me know so I can share it with others!

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