Skating instead of Ritalin: A new way for children with ADHD!

On January 10, 2025, Titus Dittmann, who is affected by ADHD, will report on the “Skaten instead of Ritalin” project in Nordhorn and read from his book “Brett for the World”. Dittmann is convinced that skating has a positive impact on children with ADHD symptoms. The project, which is scientifically accompanied by the University of Münster, was launched to playfully bring children closer to the joy of skateboarding and sporting activity. The initiative aims to increase frustration tolerance and attention span and to strengthen the self -esteem of the children.

A comprehensive study examined the effects of a four-month skateboard workshop on motor skills, cognition and symptoms in children with ADHD. The results showed that even children without previous experience in skateboarding quickly liked this sport. Addressions with participants and their parents confirmed that the combination of sporting challenge and an informal element makes skateboarding particularly suitable for children with ADHD.

event and program details

The event on January 10 is aimed at affected children, young people, parents, teachers and pedagogical specialists and is initiated by the AD (H) S interview group Emlichheim by Hermine Lichtenborg and Maike Abend. The entrance fee is 2 euros per person, while children and adolescents up to 17 years can take part in free. Tickets are available online at www.alteweberei.de and at the box office. After the lecture, an indoor skate will take place in the old weaving mill, in which the reigning European champion in the Poetry Slam, Theresa Sperling, will also appear.

In addition to the current developments, the concept "Skaten instead of Ritalin" has already been set up in 2018 and now comprises a multi-month workshop series in cooperation with the Westphalian Wilhelmsiniversität Münster and the Institute for Sports Science. Skate AID is responsible for the organization of the workshops. The workshops offer children with behavioral problems an alternative therapy option, which is intended to promote their concentration, frustration tolerance and joy in movement, as skate-aid.org reports.

The scientific evaluation of skateboard intervention showed significant improvements in cognition and symptoms in children with ADHD, including better attention and concentration performance as well as reduced symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity. In addition, it was found that the skateboarding had positive effects on balance and promotes the intrinsic motivation of the children.