Music and ADHD

If your kids are like most – ADHD or not – they spend their days with music, often with ear buds permanently attached to their ears. And I don’t think there’s a parent on the planet who hasn’t argued with their child at one time or another about listening to music while they study. Kids say it helps them concentrate; parents say it distracts them.

Well, everybody is kind of right. Music kids like? Distracting, unless they like Mozart, particularly one sonata.

I know it sounds weird, but scientists at Stanford University have found that students who listened to this particular piece of music performed better at learning and on memory tests. There has even been a book written on the subject – “The Mozart Effect” by Don Campbell.

Some of the benefits associated with Mozart and other Baroque composers include:

Reduced amount of time needed to learn

Improved test scores

A calming effect on those with a tendency towards hyperactivity

An improved ability for both sides of the brain to work together

An improvement in clear thinking

It’s also interesting to note that a similar test done on people with dyslexia had similar results. Subjects were asked to wear a set of headphones while doing tasks like reading or writing. The headphones provided sound to the left ear only – which relates to the right side of the brain.

The right side of the brain is the more creative, non-linear side. (I think of it as the ADHD half.) By providing music to the right side of the brain only, it gave that side enough extra stimulus to help it concentrate more effectively. The result was noticeable improvements in the symptoms of dyslexia.

All in all, it sounds like music while studying is a good thing, but only if it’s the right kind of music.