I just recently learned of a term called “body doubling”. Body doubling is a productivity tool or strategy where another person works on a task with you.

This could be in person, virtual, or even videos of someone either doing a task with you -or- simultaneously doing a task along side you.

This idea blew my mind… and explained so much when it comes to tasks that my kids dread.

A Story For You

A very long time ago, my kids struggled to do basic tasks like cleaning up their bedrooms, hanging up their backpacks, putting away shoes.

They also refused to help with laundry. They wanted to keep all their artwork. And cleaning up toys always took decades.

So an idea popped into my head about having them make videos of themselves doing the dreaded tasks.

They create a video on making their bed. Following their morning routine. Getting themselves ready in the morning.

These videos became super useful to each of them. So much so, that we created a course for kids! And we didn’t even realize that we created a course using the idea of body doubling when we made it!

Shop now

Using Body Doubling For Kids With ADHD

Sometimes we just need someone near us to complete a task. Sometimes we need a jumpstart like someone doing a task with us to get a job started.

This idea should be used with kids with ADHD if they find it helpful.

This means, if you expect them to put away their laundry but they get overwhelmed with the idea of where to start, ask if they want you near them while they complete the task.

Here’s one way body doubling while doing laundry has looked in my home:

Child dumps out laundry basket of clean clothes on bedroom floor. Starts to get upset because the pile is rather large. I notice the upset and ask if they’d like me to sit with them while they do laundry.

Child will say yes. I bring in some of my laundry to fold while they are folding their laundry. I put my laundry in my laundry basket to bring back to my room while they complete the rest of the task.

Because the idea of starting can be the resisting spot of a task, using another person doing the same task can help. But sometimes I don’t have laundry to fold. So what do I do?

I may fold a couple of my child’s clothing. Maybe one category of clothing like t-shirts. Or I give them my computer with videos they have made of themselves folding and putting away their laundry.

The goal is to give the child the initial jumpstart they need to do a task you may deem as easy.

four year old sorting clothes in giant clothing pile looking for kids laundry

Other Ways To Use Body Doubling For ADHD + Kids

In our home, we typically have to do body doubling for laundry because no one wants to do that task.

But I have found that there are a lot of other ways we can use body doubling with our kiddos with ADHD.

Below I have listed some common tasks that could benefit from body doubling, and how you, the adult, can help your kiddo!

Homework: If your kiddo doesn’t need help with homework, just getting started, grab a book or your own work and do the task next to them.
Brushing teeth: Move your kiddos toothbrush into your bathroom so you can brush teeth together.
Basic hygiene tasks: Do them together with your child.
Cleaning up toys: For younger kids, divide up the tasks for cleaning up. You pick up some toys and they pick up others. For older kids, this could mean you clean the room while they pick up the toys.
Cleaning bedroom: Sometimes just physically being in the room can help, other times it may be helpful to do the dusting and wiping while the child does the tidying and putting away.

Test It Out

The best way to decide if something will work for your child is to test it out. That means, if they are struggling with a task you feel is easy for them, maybe try working along side of them.

Ask if they want you near them while they complete the task. You can let them know you will be doing another task while they work on their task. But your presence may be the motivation they need to get started.