Most of us remember the fidget spinner craze. For a brief period of time in 2017, parents everywhere were buying this small toy for their children and teens that was marketed as a tool to reduce ADHD – a toy that could decrease ADHD symptoms by giving children a calming product to fidget with during school.
Whether or not fidget spinners actually decrease ADHD symptoms, such as hyperactivity, is a question for another post. What we do know is that very little actual research was completed, and these spinners quickly fell out of popularity.
Still, one thing that the fidget spinner craze highlighted was how those with ADHD and their parents are looking for tools that they can use to help calm their active minds.
Music, ADHD, and Executive Function Disorder
Despite how common ADHD is in the population, there is very little research on what might help decrease ADHD symptoms outside of medication. But one promising approach is also the one that is often welcomed by parents, teachers, and caregivers: the introduction of music.
Research into the effects of music on learning and focus for children with ADHD and executive function disorder has been promising. One study found that some – although not all – children with ADHD benefited from music playing in the classroom and performed better than they did without it. Another study had similar findings, that “passive music therapy” (playing low level music not intended to distract the listener) improved academic skills and success.
In 2020, a study was proposed by a researcher at Western Washington University suggesting that music may actually help children with ADHD and executive function disorder perform *better* than neurotypical children, and although the study’s results have not been released, there are those that think it is possible.
Anecdotally, many parents find similar results. One parent found that their child’s hyperactivity dramatically reduced when music was playing in the background. Many stories just like this have been shared in places like Reddit:
- Does listening to music help you focus on studying?
- Why do I need audio in my background all day?
- Found something that help’s my son’s inattention but…
Reddit isn’t science, but it is indicative of what many parents share – when their child listens to specific types of music (which may vary depending on their individual tastes), they are may be able to focus better.
Why Would Music Help?
Children with ADHD have very active minds. Music uses both sides of the brain and provides a type of distraction that blocks out competing distracting things. Some scientists also believe that music may speed up brain processing similar to the way medication works.
It’s also important to remember that ADHD is not a challenge that manifests in a single way. Some children may benefit from music. Others may not. Some may prefer one type of music. Others may prefer something else.
Is There a Specific Type of Music that Helps?
Earlier when we mentioned the parent that said his child responds well to music, he said that the music that works best was not a calm, soothing background noise, but rather upbeat electronic dance music (EDM). Others say that “sleepy” music is what calms them.
Without more research, it won’t be clear what music offers the best benefits. The only consistent is that most children, teens, and adults seem to find that the music should not be blaring loud – that the music shouldn’t itself be overwhelming, so that they can focus on other tasks as well.
Getting Help for a Child, Teen, or Adult with ADHD
ADHD Training Center is an ADHD Coaching service that works with those with ADHD (and their parents) providing tools, techniques, and personalized support to help them manage ADHD and executive function disorder symptoms. If you feel like you or your child needs help focusing, contact us today to learn more about our coaching services, and to talk about music (and other tools) as something you can use to manage ADHD.