Fidgets Focused on Senses
Like with other sensory stimuli mentioned before, the object here will be to mix and rotate through different smells and different sources of smells. After a period, your nose will be accustomed to the scent at a level that you will no longer notice the fragrance. To avoid this phenomenon, a variety of smells will be your ally.
Kinetic
It might seem like moving will hinder your attention rather than help, but certain movements are associated with lower levels of inattention. Walking and standing are good examples of a kinetic fidget. Twisting or rocking in a chair or swinging on a swing can have the same results.
Feel
Here, the fidgets will be something you can touch or hold. Generally, they will be small and have a unique or distinct shape, texture or softness. Your touch fidget can be as simple as a paperclip or as complex as a specially designed fidget purchased online. Tossing a ball or doodling on paper with a pen can accomplish your attention goals.
Special Considerations
If you are interested in making fidgets work in your life, think through these special considerations.
Provide an Explanation
People in your life may not have ever heard of a fidget and have no understanding of their use. In fact, they might see your fidgeting as a distraction that is rude or counterproductive.
Like many other situations, a little information can go a long way towards prevention. Explain your situation and the goal of the fidget as an aid.
Experiment
There are endless possible options when it comes to fidgets. It is true that not everyone will work for you, but if you remain patient and optimistic, you can find a handful that end with good results.
During your experimentation, be sure to attempt fidgets from all of the categories described above while tracking the results. Additionally, attempting these in multiple settings will give you a better understanding of their impact.
School Settings
A lot of people with ADHD and their parents will be interested in using fidgets in a classroom setting. The acceptance of fidgets in the classroom will likely vary widely by district and teacher.
Open a conversation with school personnel about the goals of fidgets. Be sure to communicate the low risk and potential for high reward for the student, teacher and entire classroom. When bringing a fidget into the classroom, focus on safety while keeping it small and silent. The fidget will likely be lost or misplaced during the school year, so consider ones that are relatively cheap and replaceable.
More and more people, both with ADHD and those in the medical community, are becoming more interested in the role of fidgets and what they have to offer. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all fidget, but there is always room for trial and error. Allow yourself or your child to creatively consider appropriate options — a fidget might be their ticket to success.
