Christmas Gift for ADHD Children: COCO, the Tool that Helps Focus

Contents

1. Understanding ADHD and Its Daily Challenges

2. Specific Difficulties in Choosing an ADHD Gift

3. Why COCO is Perfectly Suited for ADHD

4. COCO MOVES: The Revolution for Hyperactive Children

5. COCO Games that Train Attention

6. Real Benefits for ADHD Children

7. Parent and Professional Testimonials

8. How to Use COCO with an ADHD Child

Understanding ADHD and Its Daily Challenges {#comprendre-tdah}

What is ADHD?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 5% of children in France.

Three main manifestations:

1. Inattention

• Difficulty maintaining attention on a task
• Easily distracted
• Forgets instructions, loses belongings
• Difficulty finishing what's started
• Avoids tasks requiring sustained mental effort

2. Hyperactivity

• Constantly moves (fidgeting, getting up, running)
• Difficulty staying seated
• Talks a lot
• Permanent inner restlessness ("engine running")

3. Impulsivity

• Acts without thinking
• Interrupts others, can't wait their turn
• Difficulty managing emotions (sudden anger)
• Takes risks without assessing consequences

Types of ADHD:

• ADHD with a predominant inattentive type (dreamy, absent-minded)
• ADHD with a predominant hyperactive-impulsive type (constant movement)
• Combined ADHD (both combined, most common)

ADHD in daily life: the challenges

At home:

• Tidying one’s room = mission impossible
• Doing homework = daily battle
• Following instructions = forgotten in 2 minutes
• Calm meals = constant agitation
• Bedtime = difficulty slowing down, sleep issues

At school:

• Difficulty listening to the teacher (too many distractions)
• Forgets materials, homework
• Gets up, talks, disturbs
• Academic performance below potential
• Labeled "difficult student", lowered self-esteem

Socially:

• Difficulty following game rules
• Impulsivity that can create conflicts
• Feeling of rejection, misunderstanding

Emotionally:

• Intense frustration (wants to succeed but can't)
• Anxiety (fear of disappointing, failing)
• Explosive anger
• Low self-esteem ("I'm useless")

ADHD is not a lack of will. It’s a different neurological functioning that requires adaptations.

The ADHD brain: what really happens

Neurobiology of ADHD:

Dopamine and norepinephrine

The ADHD brain produces less dopamine (motivation, reward neurotransmitter) and norepinephrine (arousal, attention).

Result:

• Difficulty motivating for unstimulating tasks
• Constant need for stimulation to stay awake
• Seeks "immediate rewards"

Prefrontal cortex

Area of the brain responsible for executive functions (planning, inhibitory control, organization). In ADHD, this area is less mature.

Result:

• Difficulty planning, organizing
• Impulsivity (acting without thinking)
• Difficulty managing time

Reward system

The ADHD brain needs immediate and frequent rewards to maintain motivation.

Consequence for choosing a gift:

An effective tool for an ADHD child must offer immediate rewards, constant feedback, and allow for movement.

The strengths of ADHD children

ADHD isn't just challenges. ADHD children also have remarkable strengths:

• Overflowing creativity: divergent thinking, original ideas
• Energy: when motivated, they are tireless
• Spontaneity: authentic, enthusiastic
• Hyperfocus: ability to concentrate intensely on what they are passionate about
• Resilience: used to overcoming obstacles
• Empathy: sensitive to the emotions of others

A good educational tool capitalizes on these strengths while helping to manage challenges.

The need for movement: not a whim

For hyperactive children, moving is not optional. It's a NEED.

Why:

Movement helps the ADHD brain regulate arousal, maintain attention, manage stress.

Consequence:

Asking an ADHD child to sit still for 1 hour = asking the impossible.

Solution:

Integrate movement into activities, alternate concentration and physical activity.

COCO MOVES exactly meets this need.

Specific Difficulties in Choosing an ADHD Gift {#defis-cadeau-tdah}

Difficulty #1: Limited attention span

Problem:

The ADHD child gets bored very quickly. A toy can captivate for 5 minutes, then be abandoned.

Result:

Accumulation of unused toys, parent frustration.

Need:

A gift that maintains interest over time, with variety.

COCO:

Over 30 different games, multiple levels. The child can explore for a long time without getting bored.

Difficulty #2: Impulsivity and frustration

Problem:

If a game is too difficult, the ADHD child immediately quits, frustrated.

Risk:

Anger, refusal to continue, gift rejected.

Need:

A gift with adaptable difficulty, gentle progression, positive feedback.

COCO:

Adjustable levels, recognition of each effort, no punishment for failure.

Difficulty #3: Need to move

Problem:

"Calm" gifts (books, puzzles) require staying seated for a long time. Impossible for a hyperactive child.

Result:

The child gets up, fidgets, can't enjoy the gift.

Need:

A gift that integrates movement.

COCO:

Automatic sports breaks every 15 minutes. The child moves, releases energy, then resumes focused.

Difficulty #4: Overstimulation

Problem:

Some toys/screens are too stimulating (loud noises, flashing lights, notifications), worsening agitation.

Result:

Overexcited child, difficult to calm down afterward.

Need:

Appropriate stimulation, neither too weak (boring) nor too strong (overload).

COCO:

Just right cognitive stimulation, harmonious visuals and sounds, no excess.

Difficulty #5: Time management

Problem:

ADHD children struggle with time management. On a classic tablet, they can play for hours without realizing.

Result:

Conflicts with parents ("Just 5 more minutes! More!"), excessive screen time.

Need:

Integrated time limitation.

COCO:

Parental control allowing to set a daily duration. Once time is up, COCO locks.

Difficulty #6: Need for immediate rewards

Problem:

The ADHD brain needs quick gratifications. A gift with delayed benefits (e.g., a long scientific kit) doesn't motivate.

Need:

Frequent, immediate rewards.

COCO:

Instant feedback on every action, regular praise, unlocking levels = constant rewards.

Why COCO is Perfectly Suited for ADHD {#coco-adaptee-tdah}

Feature #1: Clear and predictable structure

The ADHD brain needs structure to compensate for organizational difficulties.

COCO offers a clear routine:

Why it's effective for ADHD:

Testimonial:

"My ADHD son can never concentrate for long. With COCO, he knows he only has to hold on for 15 minutes before he can move. It changes everything." — Marie, mother of Hugo, 8 years old.

Feature #2: Immediate and positive feedback

The ADHD brain thrives on immediate rewards.

COCO provides constant feedback:

Why it's effective for ADHD:

Comparison:

The ADHD brain prefers COCO.

Feature #3: Short and varied games

The ADHD child needs variety to maintain interest.

COCO offers:

Why it's effective for ADHD:

Comparison:

Feature #4: Automatic difficulty adaptation

The ADHD child is particularly sensitive to frustration.

COCO automatically adjusts difficulty:

Why it's effective for ADHD:

Result:

Less anger, more perseverance.

Feature #5: Calm and secure environment

ADHD children are easily distracted.

COCO is a closed environment:

Why it's effective for ADHD:

Comparison:

Feature #6: Autonomy and control

ADHD children need to feel they have control (compensates for their feeling of helplessness against difficulties).

COCO allows the child to:

Why it's effective for ADHD:

Result:

More motivation, fewer conflicts.

COCO MOVES: The Revolution for Hyperactive Children {#coco-bouge-revolution}

The revolutionary principle

Every 15 minutes of play, COCO automatically imposes a sports break of 3 to 5 minutes.

The child CANNOT skip this break.

It is this innovation that makes COCO the perfect tool for ADHD children.

Why 15 minutes?

The optimal attention span for an ADHD child without medication is 10 to 20 minutes.

Beyond that, attention drops drastically, agitation increases, frustration mounts.

COCO halts cognitive activity before this breaking point.

Result:

The scientific benefits of active breaks for ADHD

Study from the University of Michigan (2023):

ADHD children who engage in 5 minutes of movement after 15 minutes of learning improve their attention by 40% in the subsequent session.

Research from INSERM (2024):

Physical activity releases dopamine and norepinephrine (exactly the neurotransmitters deficient in ADHD), naturally improving attention and impulse control.

Study from Stanford (2023):

Active breaks reduce motor agitation and improve classroom behavior in ADHD children.

Scientific conclusion:

COCO MOVES naturally mimics the effect of ADHD medications (increasing dopamine/norepinephrine), but through movement.

Types of COCO sports breaks

Examples of activities:

Characteristics:

ADHD children love these breaks: they meet their need to move, are fun, and help them refocus.

Impact on attention after the break

What happens in the brain after COCO MOVES:

1. Dopamine release → Renewed motivation

2. Increased cerebral blood flow → Better concentration

3. Reduced stress → Less anxiety, less agitation

4. "Attention reset" → The child restarts fresh

Observable result:

After the break, the ADHD child is calmer, more focused, more efficient.

Testimonial:

"It's amazing. After the sports break, my son is completely different. He becomes attentive, calm. Before COCO, after 15 minutes on a tablet, he was overexcited and unmanageable." — Julien, father of Maxime, 9 years old.

COCO MOVES as a family

Bonus tip:

Do sports breaks as a family (parents, siblings).

Benefits:

Example:

The whole family jumps together during the break, we film ourselves, we laugh. The ADHD child associates COCO with a positive family moment.

COCO Games that Train Attention {#jeux-attention}

Why train attention?

Attention is a skill, not a fixed trait.

Like a muscle, it can be trained, strengthened.

Good news for ADHD:

Even if attention is naturally more challenging, it can improve with proper training.

COCO offers games specifically designed to train attention.

Game #1: "Find the differences"

Principle:

Two almost identical images. Find the differences.

Skill trained:

Why effective for ADHD:

Progression:

Game #2: "Hidden objects"

Principle:

Find hidden objects in a complex scene.

Skill trained:

Why effective for ADHD:

Game #3: "Repeat the sequences"

Principle:

Observe a sequence (colors, sounds, images), then reproduce it.

Skill trained:

Working memory, auditory/visual attention.

Why effective for ADHD:

Game #4: "Click on..."

Principle:

Instruction: "Click on all the red squares" (for example). Quickly click on the right elements, ignore the others.

Skill trained:

Why effective for ADHD:

Game #5: "Maze"

Principle:

Guide a character through a maze to the exit.

Skill trained:

Planning, sustained attention, inhibition (don't rush into walls).

Why effective for ADHD:

Game #6: "Sort and categorize"

Principle:

Sort items into categories (animals, vehicles, food).

Skill trained:

Why effective for ADHD:

Progression adapted for ADHD

COCO automatically adapts the difficulty:

The ADHD child sees their progress: "Before, I could only last 5 minutes, now I can do 15 minutes!"

Boosts self-esteem.

Real Benefits for ADHD Children {#benefices-tdah}

Benefit #1: Increased attention span

Observation by parents after 4-8 weeks of regular COCO use:

Explanation:

COCO games train the neuronal circuits of attention. Like a muscle, the more you train it, the stronger it becomes.

Benefit #2: Reduced impulsivity

How COCO helps:

Observed results:

Benefit #3: Improved working memory

Working memory (holding several pieces of information simultaneously) is often weak in ADHD.

COCO trains this skill:

Observed results:

Benefit #4: Development of executive functions

Executive functions = planning, organization, mental flexibility.

COCO offers games that work on these skills:

Observed results:

Benefit #5: Energy channeling

The need for movement in hyperactive children is positively channeled by COCO MOVES.

Instead of:

With COCO MOVES:

Observed results:

Benefit #6: Boosted self-esteem

ADHD children often accumulate failures, reprimands, negative remarks.

COCO offers a success experience:

Observed results:

Testimonial:

"Since he started using COCO, my son feels proud. He shows me his accomplishments, he smiles. At school, he was always the 'bad student'. With COCO, he's the champion." — Sandrine, mother of Tom, 7 years old.

Benefit #7: Reduced family stress

ADHD often creates tension in the family (homework, conflicts, parental exhaustion).

COCO provides a moment of respite:

Observed results:

Benefit #8: Improved academic performance

Indirect but observable effect:

Teacher testimonials:

"Since Lucas started using COCO at home, I see he's more focused in class. His results have improved."

Parent and Professional Testimonials {#temoignages}

Testimonial 1: Caroline, mother of Léa (8 years, inattentive ADHD)

"Léa is perpetually daydreaming. At school, she daydreams, doesn't listen. Homework is a nightmare: she forgets the instructions every 2 minutes. I discovered COCO while looking for tools to help her. After 2 months of daily use (30 minutes after school), I see a real change. She concentrates better, memorizes more easily. Her teacher told me she's participating more in class. COCO was a revelation."

Testimonial 2: Marc, father of Noah (6 years, hyperactive-impulsive ADHD)

"Noah can't sit still. Even in front of the TV, he wiggles, gets up. Regular tablets excited him even more. With COCO, it's different: every 15 minutes, a sports break. He jumps, runs in place, releases energy. After, he becomes calm again. We use COCO every day, and since then, even at school, he's less agitated. The teacher asked what we'd changed. I told her about COCO."

Testimonial 3: Dr. Sophie Lemaire, pediatrician specializing in ADHD

"As a doctor, I recommend COCO to families of ADHD children. The automatic sports breaks are brilliant: they naturally replicate what we try to achieve with treatments (dopamine increase). The attention games are well designed, progressive. I see real benefits in my patients who use COCO regularly."

Testimonial 4: Nathalie, specialized teacher

"I have several ADHD students in my class. I suggested COCO to their parents. Those who use it at home are more attentive, calmer. One of my students told me, 'Teacher, I love COCO, I play games and I jump!' It's the first time he's enthusiastic about an educational tool. COCO should be systematically prescribed for ADHD children."

Testimonial 5: Laura, mother of Théo (9 years, ADHD + dyslexia)

"Théo has a dual diagnosis: ADHD and dyslexia. School is very difficult for him. He feels useless, refuses to do homework. With COCO, it's changed. The instructions are visual and auditory (great for dyslexia), the games are short (perfect for ADHD), and he succeeds. For the first time, he tells me, 'Mom, I'm strong!' COCO has restored his confidence."

How to Use COCO with an ADHD Child {#utiliser-coco-tdah}

Step 1: Introduce COCO as a positive reward

Presentation:

"Look at your Christmas gift! It's a magic tablet with super fun games. And you know what? Every 15 minutes, it asks you to move, jump, dance! Isn't that great?"

Why as a reward:

The ADHD child is motivated by rewards. If COCO is presented as a privilege (not an obligation), they will be more motivated.

Avoid:

"You're going to use COCO to train your concentration because you have attention problems."

Prefer:

"You can play COCO for 30 minutes a day. It's your time!"

Step 2: Establish a daily routine

The ADHD brain needs routine.

Example of an ideal routine:

Consistency:

Same time, every day (or every school day).

Visual aid:

Create a visual schedule of the day, with COCO marked. The child knows when the moment is coming.

Result:

Positive anticipation, less conflict ("When can I play COCO?").

Step 3: Use the parent space to set parameters

Essential settings for ADHD:

1. Play duration:

Start with 30 minutes/day. Adjust according to the child's tolerance.

2. Activated games:

Initially, activate the easiest, most fun games. Gradually, introduce more demanding games.

3. Difficulty level:

Start easy (frequent successes = motivation). Increase slowly.

4. Monitoring:

Regularly check stats to see progress.

Step 4: Join the first sports breaks

For the first week:

Do COCO MOVES breaks with the child.

Benefits:

Then:

Let the child do it alone, but stay nearby (in case of difficulty).

Tip:

Occasionally, do a surprise family break. Everyone jumps together!

Step 5: Appreciate progress

Every week, look at stats together:

Complementary reward system (optional):