ASCOT • SHEPPERTON
MBACP (Accred),
MNCPS (Accred)
Supporting ADHD at Home: Connection, Coordination & Compassion
In their book ADHD 2.0, Dr Hallowell and Dr Ratey explore a non-medicinal, deeply human approach to managing ADHD — one that focuses on connection, movement, and kindness. They share a powerful case study of a child treated remotely in China using coordination-based exercises, encouragement, and warmth from the mother — and the child’s symptoms improved significantly.
Their findings reinforce something many of us know intuitively: balance and coordination exercises can stimulate the cerebellum and, in turn, improve emotional regulation and attention. But it’s not just about the exercises — it’s about the relationship. Warmth, kindness, praise, physical connection (yes, even hugs), and being “seen” all contribute to calming the nervous system and helping ADHD symptoms reduce.
These tools don’t replace medication or formal therapy, but they offer a hopeful, empowering supplement — and they start at home, in the relationships that matter most.
If this feels like a direction you’d like to explore — whether through therapy, parenting support, or climbing — I’d be honoured to walk alongside you.
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Stand on your right leg for 30 seconds
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Switch to your left leg for 30 seconds
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Repeat 3 times per leg
💡 Try with eyes open first. Once steady, gently try with eyes closed for a few seconds.
Climbing Therapy for ADHD 🧗🏽♀️
If you’re looking for a creative, active, and natural way to support ADHD symptoms, climbing therapy might be a perfect fit. Together, we can explore indoor bouldering at a local centre, using low-level, safe routes at a gentle pace that suits your comfort and energy levels.
This movement-based therapy isn’t just about exercise — it’s rooted in evidence. The research highlighted by Hallowell and Ratey show that these activities involving balance and coordination can lessen ADHD symptoms. That’s because the same part of the brain that manages balance — the vestibulocerebellar system (VCS) — also plays a role in energy regulation and emotional control. The more you move and balance, the more this system is stimulated… and the more grounded, focused and calm you may feel.
Clients often say they feel a healthy “dopamine boost” after climbing, which can offer relief from restlessness, low motivation, and mental fog.
If you’re curious to try a climbing session, reach out to me and we’ll talk through what to expect.