Karate and ADHD. your thoughts please?

i've had several suggestions on here to enroll my 5-year old boy (who has ADHD and is extremely hyper) in karate --for extra energy release and discipline. but are there karate classes out there specifically for kids with ADHD? i'm just worried that even if i brief the instructor about my son's condition, he might not have the patience with him.
i'm also thinking of enrolling my 7-year old boy (who is at risk of ADHD, not hyper at all, but is currently experiencing some low self esteem issues) in karate.

I have ADD and have taken Karate since I was around eight, so yes, I would recommend it. I'm 15 now, so I can't recall exactly what it was like before I was diagnosed, but I will try to be of assistance.
Does it have a demonstrable effect on Hyperactivity? I don't believe so; the most noticeable effect it would have on your child would be sudden discipline. If your kid likes to play around, and that has been a problem, I would recommend it. At my Dojo unruly children either become reformed or quit; so I would say Karate is worth a shot.

Of course my Sensei is a Child Psychologist and professor at a major university, so there might be a patience difference between my Sensei and your's.

My nephew has ADHD and is on meds. He takes Karate and I don't think the instructor knows about his condition. I think many parents enroll their children for various reasons and the instructors are able to handle even the toughest kids. I don't think you are required to give the instructor further information. I'm not sure though. I'd say it's worth a shot to enroll him in a class (but only if he's interested - I've read you shouldn't force a child to join any group). See how it goes and give it time to show any positive results. If he doesn't like it or if the instructor thinks he's not a good fit, then you take him out. Enrolling the siblings together sounds like a great idea. Of course, every case is different, but I can't imagine it would harm either of them.

I know in NY there are special education classes for Karate, I am sure other places will too.

My daughter who has several learning disabilities including adhd was enrolled in Karate as a child and she did great at it, it really helped her and she was so happy during it (she was in a regular class not special ed) I think it is a good idea to enroll him in it. Try it first see if you can pay for one session and see how he does.

Good Luck

I know what you are going through. I have a nine year old who is own his second tour of second grade.He takes two meds. My thought was thatit would be just asking for trouble. He would use what he learned to really hurt someone. But they say the opposite happens. They learn to contro; their outburst. My hubsand says he can but we have been uable to find any near our home. We really can't afford to now. My son would run out of the classroom to where I worked in the school library. I ended up quitting work. It is alot better now. We got the right doctor. Just have to talk to instructor tell him how you feel and if you dont get a good feeling don't go there.

Any martial arts program will teach confidence , control , self discipline and confidence . My son has Asperger Syndrome . He took a martial arts class for 9 years . It was excellent for him . My sons instructors were excellent with him .