Born on the west coast of America, surf therapy admittedly sounds like an American idea. But today (as of 2020), this form of therapy is making waves across the world, even as it increasingly becomes a popular way of tackling a wide range of health problems, including depression and anxiety, not only in adults but also in children. In fact, any surfer will tell you that spending only a few minutes or hours in the water effectively puts mental health problems, such as stress and anxiety, to bed, no matter how overwhelming the problem may be. This can, in no small extent, be attributed to the ocean’s humbling force, as well as the meditative nature of surfing. From riding a wave and controlling breathing while paddling, to everything in between, all the surfing elements tend to produce a euphoric feeling, rarely found in any other environment. Like many other sports, surfing brings about a feeling of self-fulfillment, making it possible for you to benefit from an improved sense of confidence.

While some might overlook the deeper psychological effects of surfing, one thing is clear: surf therapy offers valuable support not only for adults, but also for children and teens. In this article, we explore the benefits of surf therapy for children. But first, let us take a look at how surf therapy works and why it can be a gentle, effective alternative for easing emotional and mental challenges in children.

Surf Therapy

According to research, it is the sensation generated from wave riding that inspires surfers to return to the water again and again. Put simply: surfing feels good. But what creates that sensation? It begins with dopamine, a brain chemical associated with positive feelings. Enjoyable activities like sharing a meal, laughing with others or engaging in physical movement increase dopamine levels, encouraging our brains to repeat those experiences. These feel-good moments can have a meaningful impact on a child’s well-being and overall mood. As a result, the brain understands that what occurred was good and should happen again in the future. With the ability to encourage crucial behaviours, dopamine is essential for your child’s sense of feeling good in the moment.

However, certain habits or circumstances can disrupt the natural balance of this brain chemistry. Over-reliance on artificial stimulation can shift the brain’s reward system in unhealthy directions. While some treatments can offer short-term support, they may come with unintended side effects. This is where natural methods like surf therapy come in. Surf therapy allows children to access joy, regulation and self-confidence in a healthy, lasting way. It can help relieve symptoms associated with autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity challenges (ADHD), high sensitivity and other neurodiverse experiences without causing harm to the body or mind.

As already mentioned, surf therapy feels good, leading to increased dopamine levels in your child’s brain. But unlike artificial stimulation, surfing comes with lots of benefits, resulting in the improvement of the general health status of your child, no matter how long he does it. In fact, it would be better if your child got into surfing as this would deliver maximum benefits. Remember, a child who surfs regularly will most likely experience better symptom relief than one who surfs occasionally.

Surf Therapy for Autism, ADHD and High Sensitivity in Kids

Autism, ADHD, high sensitivity, and other behavioral and developmental challenges in children are often addressed through structured treatment plans. While we cannot dispute the effect of medicines, the fact remains that they can either be a hit or a miss and could result in far-reaching side effects. Thankfully, there is a natural alternative around us; the waves of the sea. As a matter of fact, various scientific researchers confirm that surfing soothes and relieves a wide range of mental health problems, in addition to high sensitivity, autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Autism

Autism occurs in early childhood and infancy and it delays the child’s development in various basic processes, including interaction, playing and talking. This disorder manifests itself through a spectrum of signs and symptoms, which may vary from one kid to another. While some autistic children experience only mild symptoms, others have to overcome severe impairments. But one sure thing is the fact that every autistic kid has at least some degree of impairment in one or more of the following areas:

• Flexible behaving and thinking
• Relationship with other children and the surrounding environment
• Verbal and non-verbal communication

As a parent, you know your child best. You are often the first to notice when something is not developing as expected. Your observations matter. Ideally, you will need to understand what is typical of children and what is not. Autistic kids experience developmental delays; thus, you will need to be on red alert, just to ensure your child is hitting some important milestones in life, whether cognitive, emotional or social. This way, you will be able to spot any warning signs just in time to take appropriate action. Early awareness can help you take gentle and timely steps to support your child’s well-being.

It is important to remember that developmental delays are not always a sign of autism. Every child develops at their own pace and there are many other conditions which may slow down developmental stages in children. There is no need to panic if a milestone takes a little longer to reach. So, don’t panic if your child takes a little longer to walk or talk.

How Therapy Can Help Your Autistic Kid

Under the guidance of supportive and friendly mentors, a child with autism can be able to interact with other members of their social setting, form social bonds, and communicate their needs. Through surf therapy, your autistic child can gain the ability to operate more effectively in their environment, while, at the same time, avoiding isolation and the stigma associated with autism.

While on surf therapy, your kid will join a community of non-judgmental and supportive individuals who will be by their side as long as they live. This is because such a supportive community understands what it means to live with autism, and even some of them may have been victims of the condition in the past. With this community around them, your child will learn how to control their emotional behaviour and manage their health. It is this ability to manage their condition that makes your autistic child avoid negative emotions and social isolation, which comes with the condition. Once the child overcomes the challenges, they will realise their strength and experience improved self-confidence. They will stay positive in life and engage in activities that will enhance their well-being and quality of life.

ADHD

Is your kid experiencing difficulty in controlling their impulsive behavior, following instructions, sitting still, paying attention, or concentrating? If your answer is yes, then your child may be a victim of what mental health professionals called attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. While all kids tend to be oblivious, restless, and destructive to people around them, autistic children exhibit these signs and symptoms more often than normal kids in the same age bracket. A child with ADHD cannot follow instructions and complete tasks appropriate for their age, and that is why they find it challenging to complete classwork or excel in school. They may also not be able to get along with their peers, resulting in isolation.

ADHD symptoms can either be hyperactive or inattentive. The hyperactive symptoms of ADHD in children include the following:

• Too much interrupting or talking
• Excessive impatience
• Too much climbing and running
• Difficulty keeping quiet while playing
• Difficulty staying in one place
• Trouble waiting for his turn
• Fidgeting

On the other hand, your kid is said to have inattentive ADHD symptoms if they exhibit the following:

• Forgetfulness
• Dislike for sustained effort
• Trouble organizing
• Difficulty following instructions
• Tendency to get distracted easily
• Tendency to make careless mistakes
• Appearing as though they are not listening even when someone speaks to them directly

While the majority of autistic children exhibit a combination of both sets of symptoms, some of them experience either of the two sets. So, you will need to be on red alert to know which symptoms your kid has.

How Surf Therapy Helps With ADHD in Children

Surfing is a dynamic physical activity that requires focus, timing, and body awareness. As a form of exercise, it activates neurological processes that support concentration, emotional regulation, and energy balance. It also encourages better sleep and mood stability. Research has shown that moderate physical activity can improve attention, learning, and impulse control in children. Just like autism, conventional ADHD treatment is meant to alleviate the symptoms of the condition, such as impulsive behaviour, hyperactivity and inattentiveness, by activating the so-called frontal lobe in the brain. This is the part of the brain which controls emotions, social behaviour, working memory, and executive functioning. While history has it that these conventional treatment indeed works to relieve ADHD symptoms, this tends to be only a short-term solution It is for this reason that many parents of kids with ADHD are now turning to natural solutions, with surf therapy being one of them.

So, how does the therapy work for your ADHD child? Surfing is a form of exercise in itself; yes, a moderate workout. It is no secret that such an exercise enhances various neurological processes associated with controlling behavior, memory, and attention, in addition to increasing body energy, regulating sleep, and boosting mood. In fact, a 2013 study in the Journal of Pediatrics attests to the fact that kids with ADHD improve in impulsive control, arithmetic, and reading, following a session of moderate aerobic exercise.

Highly Sensitive Children

You have probably experienced high sensitivity at some point in your life. If you are highly sensitive, you are very much attuned to the surrounding environment, and you feel every effect intensely. Thus, a highly sensitive child is tapped into his intuition and has a profound sense of empathy. He can quickly sense what someone else wants at a given time. In a nutshell, having a highly sensitive child by your side could be a nice thing. However, the problem comes when your child begins viewing his sensitivity as a weakness. In that case, you will need to take action to turn around the situation so that your child may see his sensitivity as a gift, which he can share with others. By putting your kid in a setting where he can learn to hand his sensitivities in various different situations, you will be allowing his star to shine. One of the best strategies you can apply to help your highly sensitive child is surf therapy.

How Surf Therapy Helps Your Highly Sensitive Kid

Finding an outlet for your highly sensitive child to process his emotions is a great way to help him deal with the condition. This outlet can be an activity he enjoys, such as surfing. While your kid may not like surfing, it may be incumbent upon you to make him love the activity. Not able to do that? Surf Therapy Travel is here to help.

Surf Therapy Travel: What We Do

Many children are naturally drawn to water. At Surf Therapy Travel, we embrace this connection. Based in Scheveningen, The Hague, we offer surf therapy programs for children with diverse needs. Through surfing, we help children grow emotionally, socially, and physically. The ocean becomes a place of healing, laughter and discovery.

Water-based experiences offer unique benefits for children navigating emotional or developmental challenges. If your child has been struggling and you are searching for a supportive, natural path forward, we invite you to learn more about our programs. With surf therapy, children gain tools for life that no prescription can offer.

Surf Therapy; a Natural Remedy for Mental Problems in Kids

With growing awareness around the potential side effects of conventional treatments, more parents are exploring natural options. Surf therapy offers a meaningful and effective way to support your child’s overall well-being gently. In joy and in connection with nature.