ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by impaired levels of inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. These persistently affect a person’s life over an extended period. These traits are apparent since childhood, even if not recognised until later on. ADHD affects people of all ages and genders. There is no cure for ADHD. However, it is highly manageable with a combination of behavioural education and therapy to learn tools to thrive, and for some people medication. Finding the right medicine can be a trial and error process and not everyone wants to use it or tolerates it well. 

Everyone with ADHD has different experiences. Some people view it as a negative in their lives. Poor executive functioning, difficulty regulating emotions, hyperfocus, trouble sleeping and eating enough can be really challenging in day-to-day life. Others describe having a superpower. Creativity, curiosity, willingness to take a risk, problem solving, hyperfocus, empathy. Most people slide between the two! 

There are still some unhelpful myths about ADHD. The stereotypes are of being naughty, irresponsible and not trying. Of people being low achievers or of ADHD being a result of poor parenting. Research suggests that by age 10, people with ADHD have received 20,000 more negative comments than peers without ADHD. Roughly five more negatives a day. Unsurprisingly, people with ADHD consistently report low self-esteem. It’s important to be aware of these views, challenge them and perhaps check any unconscious bias to make sure to create positive paddlesport environments for everyone.

There’s every chance there is someone with ADHD in your club or centre, whether or not you know about it.

What this might look like at your club/centre (and the negative views people might have):

Enthusiasm (annoying, chatterbox, distracting) Keen to try things, wants to help, signs up to things, draws people in. 

New ideas (rocks the boat, not satisfied with status quo) Sees potential, has great ideas for developing things, comes up with solutions no one thought of. 

Ready to go (impatient, can’t wait their turn) Always learning, makes the most of the time, enthusiastic, keeps momentum going in sessions.

Keen to win/improve (over-competitive, critical of self/teammates) Tries hard, believes in better, committed, motivated. 

What an awesome person to have around!

There are a few easy things we can do around clubs and centres to make things a little more ADHD friendly. Happily they tend to make things easier for everyone.

Systems

Make things easy if you want them to happen! 

Colour code kit: in sizes and have an explainer poster up on the wall/rack. 

Label racks or trailers: if you want specific boats in specific places. 

Make sign out sheets obvious: AND immediate. On paper, with a pencil there, kept in a visible place near the kit being borrowed. 

Right place, right kit, right time

Help folks feel like heroes before they even start paddling!

Visual timetables and reminders: e.g. course programme obviously displayed, kit list in changing room, on a door that needs locking/key returning. Postcodes +/ directions to regular meeting places (bonus if you can include rough travel time).

Clocks: Please have clocks up, especially in places where time can easily disappear e.g. social spaces, changing rooms, kit stores. 

Kit management: Issue kit with a length of rope / tape to tie it all together when it’s not being worn. Bigger things are harder to lose and easier to find! Especially useful when we’re all piling into a minibus or swapping about cars for shuttles. For paddlers using shared boats make boat choice and fitting easy by writing it down somewhere – e.g. Beth, M Burn, 4 holes

ADHD-friendly coaching + leadership

Adjusting our coaching style to meet our learners is something we’re all used to. Getting to know people and asking everyone if they have preferences or things that help them have a good day is the place to start. Not everyone will know or want to share of course but here are some good things to try.

Get to the point: Be precise and consistent with verbal instructions. Say the most important thing first and last. 

For multi-step instructions, make each step clear. Be ready to be asked to say it again. Check whether it’s a ‘reminding’ or ‘understanding’ request. If it’s reminding, take care to say the same thing as you did last time. Consider writing or drawing it. This helps the paddler be independent rather than having to keep coming back to be reminded of what's next and can help avoid hyperfocus on one element of it. 

Start with success: It can be really hard for people with ADHD to get started on a thing. Even if it’s a thing they enjoy. Starting off with a small, guaranteed success task is a big help. In general, be wary of allowing/setting up ‘failure’ to create a learning point.

Let them go: People with ADHD are often great problem solvers and may find their own challenge or will come back to you with their own questions. Let people follow their enthusiasm and you’ll get to the same place with happier paddlers. 

Big picture: With that in mind, put activities in context. Give people the ‘why’. Even if you’re not sure they’ll get it yet. Without knowing the big picture it’s really hard to stick at the small bit you might want to focus on right now, especially if it’s hard or boring. But with reminders of where it’s going it’s a bit easier to stay on track.

Snack stops: Stopping to eat one ‘big’ meal in the middle of the day can be tricky for some people, either from simply not feeling/noticing hunger when they’re busy or as a side effect of medication. Grazing can be easier, so making time for snack stops is really helpful. A late afternoon snack can be especially helpful for people using stimulant medication as the effects wear off. 

Brilliantly, paddlesports - with its huge variety of crafts, environments and opportunities - can be a haven for people with ADHD. Explicitly or more subtly encouraging paddlers, leaders and coaches with ADHD to be involved in our clubs and centres can bring a huge amount of creativity, fun and most likely some surprises that can only be good for us all.

Information and advice: adhduk.co.uk

Easy to watch, informative videos: youtube.com/@HowtoADHD