Helping Your High School Athlete with ADHD Succeed On and Off the Field
- Brooke Vick
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
What Parents Need to Know About ADHD, Sports, and College Dreams
Raising a student-athlete takes heart, hustle, and much planning. When your child has ADHD, it can feel like you’re juggling even more by balancing school demands, sports schedules, and long-term goals like college athletics. At Edvocators, we understand that journey because we support families just like yours every day.
Recent research from Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center shows that athletes with ADHD are not only capable but often thrive in high-level sports. They’re more likely to play on competitive teams and even more likely to pursue contact sports like football or hockey. This tells us something powerful: ADHD doesn’t hold kids back from athletic success. But it does mean they may need more thoughtful support to reach their goals, especially when it comes to staying organized, managing stress, and staying on track for college.
Let’s walk through how you can help your child succeed—on the field and in the classroom.
Understanding the NCAA Academic Rules
If your child wants to play sports in college, it’s essential to know what’s expected of them academically. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) has clear rules for high school students who want to play at the Division I or Division II level.
To be eligible, your student will need to:
Graduate from high school
Complete the required core academic courses, including English, math, science, and social studies
Maintain a certain GPA and earn the required SAT or ACT score, based on a sliding scale
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, ideally by sophomore year
This can feel like a lot, especially when managing ADHD. That’s why it helps to plan early. Talk to your school counselor about your child’s course schedule. Make sure they’re on track with the right classes, and check in every semester to stay ahead of any problems.
If your child has a 504 Plan or IEP, make sure their accommodations are helping them succeed not just academically, but in managing time and staying focused.
Supporting Time Management, Focus, and Balance
Many kids with ADHD thrive with structure and movement, which is why sports can be such a positive outlet. But balancing sports with academics can be tough, especially when practices, games, and travel compete with homework and test prep.
As a parent, you can support your child by building routines that work for them. That might mean using a shared calendar to track assignments and games, helping them break large tasks into smaller steps, and encouraging healthy sleep and screen-time habits. Try to build in downtime too. Athletes with ADHD often need more recovery time than it looks like on the surface.
At school, your child might benefit from scheduled study halls, academic coaching, or regular check-ins with teachers. These tools can help keep them focused and reduce the stress that often leads to missed assignments or late work. If your student has accommodations, make sure they’re being used. And if they don’t have a plan in place yet, we can help you explore what’s possible.
Choosing the Right Sport for Your Child
Some athletes with ADHD love the fast pace of contact sports and do incredibly well in those environments. Others find more success in sports that offer repetition, rhythm, or clear boundaries—like swimming, running, or tennis.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The most important thing is to notice what helps your child feel confident, focused, and safe. Do they respond well to team dynamics or prefer individual competition? Do they struggle with impulsivity in high-pressure games? Are they getting the positive feedback they need from coaches?
Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to explore different sports until you find the right fit. You know your child best.
What You Can Do Now
Here are a few ways to support your student-athlete starting today:
Meet with a counselor to map out your child’s core academic courses through senior year
Check in regularly on their GPA and make sure they’re meeting NCAA standards
Use systems at home and school to help your child manage time, plan ahead, and stay focused
Stay in touch with teachers and coaches to make sure everyone’s working together
Register your child with the NCAA Eligibility Center by the end of 10th grade
Work with an advocate who specializes in student-athletes to help create the best IEP plan for your student.
Have a student with a disability? Access the NCAA website for more information on Student-Athletes with Disabilities
Final Thoughts from Edvocators
Your child’s ADHD doesn’t have to be a barrier to success - it can be part of their story, their strength, and their journey toward becoming a confident, capable young adult. With the proper support, student-athletes with ADHD can excel not only in their sport but in life after high school.
At Edvocators, we’re here to help families navigate this path. Whether you’re just starting to think about college athletics or deep in the process of planning accommodations and eligibility, we’re ready to walk with you.
Need help creating an IEP that meets your child’s needs while allowing them to reach their athletic dreams? Book with us!
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