The Relationship Between Movement and Focus in ADHD

The H in ADHD stands for hyperactivity. That’s why most people expect someone with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to be on the go-go-go. Especially when it pertains to children, ADHD is associated with non-stop movement — bouncing off the walls, some might say. But the cause and effect in this scenario are not as obvious as they might first appear.

You see, it is more than assuming that all that fidgeting and spinning is what creates the distractibility. What if I told you that someone with ADHD engages in those movements because it can actually enhance their ability to stay focused? Let’s take a closer look.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common mental disorder, and it’s frequently diagnosed during childhood. The disorder manifests in inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and comes in three major types:

• Predominantly inattentive presentation

• Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation

• Combined presentation

Common Symptoms

Predominantly inattentive presentation:

• Seems to be distracted when others are speaking to them

• Forgetful, loses things often

• Makes careless mistakes

• Difficulty getting organized 

• Unable to maintain focus on tasks or follow through on directions 

Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation:

• Talkative 

• Blurts out comments, interrupts

• Cannot wait their turn to speak or act

• Fidgety 

• Unable to stay seated

• Moves and runs where it is inappropriate

While specific causes for ADHD have not yet been identified, evidence points to a genetic component. Treatment is most often a blend of therapy and medication.

The Relationship Between Movement and Focus in ADHD

ADHD is usually diagnosed in people under the age of 12. As of today, about 11 percent of children between 4 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. Thus, it is the general age range of a recent study on movement and focus.

Twenty-six teens and pre-teens were given a test while wearing a device that measured their movement. They were tested alongside a control group made up of 18 teens and pre-teens with typical development. The results were eye-opening:

• The students with ADHD that scored highest on the test also showed the most movement during the testing period.

• The typically developing students showed no correlation between movement and test scores.

In another part of the study, a group of boys between 8 and 12 years of age were given a cognitive task to complete while seated in a swiveling chair. Again, there was a control group of typically developing boys in the same age range. Again, the results point to some important possibilities:

• For the boys with ADHD, there was a correlation between spinning in the chair and better performance.

• However, the more movements the typically developing kids did, the lower their test scores. 

A Few Things This Could Mean:

• People with ADHD are shown to have difficulty modulating their arousal systems. Movement could be a way they compensate.

• When someone with ADHD is unable to focus, they may need a physical movement break to get back into the groove. 

• Scolding kids with ADHD to stop moving and sit still could be the exact opposite thing they need.

Of course, more research is needed and is being done. But this could be the kind of ground-breaking work that shifts the landscape of ADHD awareness and treatment.

What Does This Mean For You?

If you or someone you know is struggling with ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms, getting an assessment done makes a lot of sense. Working with an experienced mental health professional is a proven way to better understand what you are experiencing. ADHD can be managed, and as knowledge expands, such management becomes more and more effective. I invite you to reach out and schedule a free and confidential consultation for child, teen, or ADHD treatment.