Can turn-taking games help ADHD children reduce talking over others? 

For many children with ADHD, waiting for their turn or listening without interruption can be one of the hardest skills to master. Emerging research and UK guidance now suggest that turn-taking games and structured play can help children practise self-control, social awareness, and listening, especially when these activities are part of wider behavioural or school-based support. 

What the evidence shows 

According to NICE NG87, structured parent-training and behavioural interventions including social skills training, CBT for self-control, and play-based activities are first-line approaches for young children with ADHD before medication is considered. NICE specifically recommends practising skills such as turn-taking and emotion regulation to support peer interaction and communication. 

NHS advice also highlights that co-operative games and positive reinforcement can build attention and patience in children with ADHD, helping them manage impulses and reduce interruptions (Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, 2025). Research by PubMed (2023) suggests that play therapy and school-based interventions using storytelling, board games, or role-play have shown measurable improvements in self-control, cooperation, and listening skills in both classroom and home settings.  

A PubMed (2025) series of studies found that gamified social skills programmes, where children earn rewards for waiting or responding appropriately, not only improved impulse control but also boosted motivation and participation. These interventions appear to work best when delivered regularly in structured environments, such as classrooms or group therapy sessions, with consistent feedback from adults  

Practical takeaways for families and schools 

• Structured play and turn-taking games (like board games, card games, or team-based challenges) can help children practise waiting and listening in a fun, low-pressure setting. 

• Reinforcement strategies, praising turn-taking, giving visual cues, or using timers improve engagement and help children internalise social rules. 

• The most consistent improvements occur when parents, teachers, and clinicians reinforce the same communication goals across settings. 

According to NICE and NHS guidance, these strategies are most effective when embedded in parent-training or classroom-based behavioural programmes, rather than used in isolation. Services such as Theara Change are developing behavioural coaching and therapy models that integrate play-based approaches to build communication and self-regulation skills for children with ADHD. 

The bottom line 

Turn-taking games won’t replace clinical treatment, but they can be a valuable way to help children with ADHD practise patience, listening, and social turn-taking. When supported by consistent reinforcement at home and school, these playful strategies can strengthen self-control one turn at a time.