Micheal Phelps, ADHD, and Our Homeschooling Journey

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

22 Aug 2008 08:15 AM

I just read an excellent article on Michael Phelps that talks about his problems with ADHD and how it ultimately helped to excel in swimming. The article talks specifically about the ability of the ADHD person to hyperfocus when it comes to learning something they are interested in.

As an unmediated adult living with ADD (I am less hyperactive these days), I can relate. The first time I heard the word "hyperfocus" it was from my husband. He complained that when I found a new interest that I would literally shut everything else out and focus solely on that topic. For example, when I finally agreed that our kids needed to be homeschooled some years ago, I spent six months learning everything I could do about the subject. I did not keep the house clean. I barely provided decent meals. I stopped writing and blogging. I was in learning mode. I was hyperfocused on all things homeschooling and read about 30 books and numerous articles on homeschooling in the six months from when we made the decision until our start date.

My ability to hyperfocus can be good or bad. This past summer as I tried to pay for my trip to LA with writing income, I was too distracted by my need to map out Los Angeles and obsessively plan every detail of our upcoming trip that I was saving for to meet my personal financial goals. The more exciting interest usually wins the battle if you have ADD. (Fortunately, my husband threw in the extra money needed.)

The point to all of this is that main issue that triggered our homeschooling journey was my daughters supposed ADHD. Just like Michael Phelps, she spent too much time jiggling, socializing, and just having fun to do well in Kindergarten and first grade. At the point when I was feeling bullied to put her on Ritalin, I decided to homeschool instead. It is now 5 years later and my daughter is more hyperactive than anything. An ADHD expert once told me that she only seemed ADHD because she was mirroring my personality.

Therefore, my advice to parents out there who are thinking about homeschooling because your child is doing poorly and ADHD may be an issue, you might want to seriously consider homeschooling. While Ritalin may be helpful, it is not for all children, and they need time to grow out of the habits that make people think they may have the disorder. Ritalin helped Micheal Phelps who began taking around the fifth grade, but unless the child is a danger to themselves or others, giving Ritalin to a child as young as first grade could be too hasty.

If you are a parent who is already homeschooling an ADHD child, start throwing subjects at them to see what they hyperfocus on and what they do not. Find physical activities that will help them burn off the extra energy. Work with them through their weaknesses and watch them soar through their strengths.

Whatever you do, do not let ADHD become the excuse that keeps them from achieving greatness.

Read Preschoolers and ADHD Research

Homeschooling Your ADHD Child

Michael Phelps... A Son and Brother First

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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