ADHD and Creativity: Nurturing Big Imaginations Through Storytelling and Play

At Growing With Stories LLC, we believe every child has a story worth telling. For children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), storytelling and creative play can be powerful tools—not just for expression, but also for building confidence, connection, and a deep sense of identity. ADHD is typically associated with challenges in attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. But what’s often overlooked is the incredible strength many children with ADHD possess: creativity. When guided and celebrated, this creative spark can become a lifelong strength and source of joy.

The Link Between ADHD and Creativity

Research continues to uncover fascinating links between ADHD and creativity. In fact, children with ADHD often excel in divergent thinking—the ability to generate many ideas or solutions to a single problem. White and Shah (2006) found that individuals with ADHD outperformed their neurotypical peers on tasks requiring original thought, suggesting that the rapid, spontaneous thinking patterns associated with ADHD may actually fuel creative output.

Another study by Healey and Rucklidge (2006) found that children with ADHD demonstrated higher levels of originality and fluency when given open-ended creative tasks. Rather than viewing impulsive or energetic behavior as a barrier, these researchers suggest that in the right environment, ADHD traits can spark rich imaginative thinking.

Creative Play and Fantasy: A Natural Outlet

Children with ADHD often gravitate toward fantasy play, storytelling, and imagination-based games, sometimes creating entire worlds in their minds. According to Carson (2011), people with lower levels of latent inhibition—a trait common in ADHD—tend to absorb more environmental stimuli and make novel connections. This allows many children with ADHD to see and imagine the world differently, often in deeply creative ways.

Environments that embrace play, movement, and storytelling—like the ones we strive to support through our books and activities—can give children with ADHD an essential outlet for their energy and ideas.

How Families Can Encourage Storytelling and Creative Expression

At Growing With Stories, we encourage parents and caregivers to lean into their children’s natural creative strengths. Here are a few ways families can foster storytelling and imagination at home:

1. Create Story Time That’s Collaborative

   Instead of just reading a book aloud, invite your child to change the ending, add a new character, or imagine what happens next. This not only boosts comprehension but invites co-creation.

2. Use Drawing or Art to Inspire Stories

   Have your child draw a character, a creature, or a setting, and then make up a story about it. Siblings or parents can take turns continuing the tale, building storytelling as a shared family tradition.

3. Make Up Stories on the Go

   Whether you’re walking, driving, or cooking together, ask silly “what if” questions: What if our car could fly? What if your backpack had a secret world inside it? These questions build creativity and language skills on the move.

4. Act Out Adventures

   Use puppets, dolls, or stuffed animals to role-play original stories. You don’t need a stage—just a table and your imaginations. Acting out scenes helps children regulate emotions and practice sequencing and empathy.

5. Build a "Story Corner

   Designate a cozy corner at home where children can retreat to write, draw, or imagine. Keep blank books, crayons, costume items, and props on hand to turn the corner into a creativity hub.

   
   

Encouraging Creative Confidence in Children with ADHD

Parents of children with ADHD often worry about school performance or behavior—but it’s just as important to nurture their strengths. Here are a few tips for helping your creative child thrive:

• Praise ideas, not just results. Children with ADHD may struggle to finish tasks but have brilliant thoughts. Celebrate their imagination, effort, and voice.

• Provide open-ended activities. Choose toys and tasks that don’t have strict rules or fixed outcomes. Blocks, LEGOs, puppets, paints, or storytelling kits all encourage divergent thinking.

• Use stories to build emotional awareness. When your child tells or writes a story, ask how the characters feel and why. This builds emotional vocabulary and empathy.

• Accept their unique rhythm. Creativity may come in bursts. Honor your child’s style—whether they need to pace around the room while telling a story or switch projects often.

  
  

Conclusion: Every Story Matters

Children with ADHD often have rich inner worlds, full of bold ideas, complex characters, and exciting adventures. With encouragement, their creative minds can flourish—not in spite of ADHD, but because of it. At Growing With Stories LLC, we believe storytelling is not only a developmental tool but a joyful celebration of who children are. When we embrace imagination as a strength and listen to children’s stories—we children discover that their voice matters, their ideas are important, and their creativity is a superpower.

Eugene Roginsky, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist and owner of Bridge2Horizon Psychotherapy and Counseling Services PLLC in Lincolnshire, a North Shore suburb of Illinois. He is also CEO of Growing With Stories, LLC, which fosters empathy and self-esteem in children through interactive reading. With nearly 30 years of experience working with families, couples, and individuals, Eugene emphasizes wellness education and helps clients discover creative, strengths-based approaches to mental health and personal growth.

References

• White, H. A., & Shah, P. (2006). Uninhibited imaginations: Creativity in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Personality and Individual Differences, 40(6), 1121–1131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.11.007

• Healey, D., & Rucklidge, J. J. (2006). An exploration into the creative abilities of children with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 10(3), 242–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054706289921

• Carson, S. H. (2011). Creativity and psychopathology: A shared vulnerability model. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(3), 144–153. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371105600304

• Cramond, B. (1994). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and creativity: What is the connection? The Journal of Creative Behavior, 28(3), 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2162-6057.1994.tb01191.x