ADHD kids & Diving

[FFMDiver]

Where ever my wife and I live (we have moved every few years or so in between graduate schools) there always seems to be some young folks in the neighborhood who eventually gravitate toward us. We have no kids ourselves (by choice) so we try to be there for the ones that dont fit in, get left out at home or just seem to be neglected in the neigborhood. Sort of a big brother & big sister kind of thing. Anyhow, one 15 year-old was always interested in my diving so I would take him along. One day I said, thats it, were getting you certified and after getting mom's permission I paid for his OW. I actually think inside I just wanted to give back to my late uncle who spent some time with me by the sea when I was a kid. Well, today was his last check-out dive. He was as proud as a peacock. Put the instructors through hell-but he got it. During training I started to realize the extent of his abilities. I believed he was showing some signs of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or so my wife also suspected (phd in disability studies). He has not been clinically diagnosed, but boy did he show some of the signs. His focus was all over the place and dive training magnified things - talking to folks on the waters edge while supposed to be focused on his giant stride, talking to instructors when supposed to be dawning weights, loosing equipment, cracking jokes left & right... you get the drift. But, alas we got him through. What I'm wondering is, what will this diving experience be like? Is this a recipe for disaster? I'm definetely going to take things VERY SLOWLY. Do any divers work with young people who have these conditions? How do you deal with the challenges underwater? How do you gauge when they might be ready for more challening diving? I'm a little nervouse, but I think diving will give him something in his life to feel good about. He's certainly going to need it. Any comment would be great. Thank you.

 

[David P]

wow, I see this going one of two ways. The kid will be so rapt underwater looking at all the life that ADHD will not be an issue. Or he'll be bouncing all over underwater and never check depth, spg, or buddies... good luck to you and him!

 

[Cacia]

I think if he is 15, supervised, and shallow that this will be great for him. Very cool of you to spend time with him. Follow your gut on the specifics, sounds like yours works.

I think sometimes these kids joke around more when a little anxious. I bet he settles down a bit as his confidence builds.

 

[RJP]

As an ADHD adult I can tell you that this is nothing to fool around with. Here's some startling statistics for you...

1.) The number one cause of death of ADHD teens and adults is fatal car accidents

2.) The average ADHD kid/teen/adult is approx 100x more likely to visit the ER than their non-ADHD peers

This is ENTIRELY due to not paying attention, and it is almost entirely avoidable.

I see it myself, and today is a perfect example:

My ADHD meds seem to increase my potential for being seasick, so I will often skip them if I'm going boat diving. Was a bit choppy this AM so I didn't take my meds.

First dive, I could feel I wasn't "on top of everything" so I was double careful to check all my gear and configuration, etc. They set the hook, and we all suit up. I have my buddy check me again and I'm all set. Jersey roll into the water and I'm FREEZING immediately!

Dammit, I must have a leaking seal on my drysuit. Down the anchor line like a STONE, which is odd, because with my saltwater set-up and drysuit I'm usually pulling myself down the line. More air in the suit, but still feeling squeeze, still feeling cold, still very negative. Except for my feet which are ballooning, which isn't usually a problem.

Short dive because I figure I need to go up and tend to a leaky neck seal.

Get on the boat, doff the suit and I can feel that my fleece is still BONE dry!.

That's odd, no?

Then I also think: Why/how is it that I'm wearing my cheepo fleece OVER my Bare 300g undergarments?

OOPS!!!!

Seems I'm not WEARING my 300g thinsulate bodysuit, just the thin pair of cheepo nylon fleece I usually wear UNDER my body suit.

Obviously I got distracted while gearing up and didn't put them on.

What was I doing instead? Chatting with the other divers, cracking jokes, discussing gear configs and other dives, etc.

No harm, no foul; right?

This time. Suppose next time it was a BCD inflator hose, or my tank valve, or my dive computer, or my pony bottle.

Scary stuff - and I KNOW I have the problem and do/did everything I can to ensure I'm on top of stuff.

People can think what they want about ADHD, but telling someone with the disorder to "simply focus" is like telling someone with asthma to "simply breathe" or telling someone with nearsightedness to "simply look closer."

The PADI med clearance form asks if you have any physical or mental disabilities that could prevent you from being a safe diver. If this kid has ADHD, he does.

Am I saying he shouldn't dive? No. But its a big problem, and it should be discussed with his parents.

I was in my LDS yesterday, and happened to overhear that there was a kid who missed like 7/10 questions on his quiz that day and was apparently a reel screw up in the water. Wonder if it was the same kid.

You in NJ?

 

[DiveBandit]

without getting all technical, IF he does have ADHD

It will depend on how severe his ADHD is, and what, if any co-existing problems might also be present

regardless of the level of ADHD he has, you just need to be a good buddy and keep an eye on him. based on what you've already done for this kid I'll assume your probably already a great buddy as well as a great person.

Do this kid another big favor, talk to his parents about what you think. If it turns out he does have ADHD, getting professional help in whatever form it's in can make the difference between a successful life and a life of frustrationfor him.

On the other hand, he could just be a very active kid.

My .02 cents