Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Motor Impairment

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder during childhood, affecting approximately 3-6% of school-aged children; its cardinal symptoms of high activity, impulsivity, and behavioral distractibility might be assumed to have close relationships to interferences with motor skills. A separate body of literature attests to ways that motor problems can severely impact children's daily lives, as motor problems may occur in 30-50% of children with ADHD. This article critically reviews research on motor impairment in children with ADHD, notable differences in motor performance of individuals with ADHD compared with age-matched controls, and possible neural underpinnings of this impairment. We discuss the highly prevalent link between ADHD and developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and the lack of a clear research consensus about motor difficulties in ADHD. Despite increasing evidence and diagnostic classifications that define DCD by motor impairment, the role of ADHD symptoms in DCD has not been delineated. Similarly, while ADHD may predispose children to motor problems, it is unclear whether any such motor difficulties observed in this population are inherent to ADHD or are mediated by comorbid DCD. Future research should address the exact nature and long-term consequences of motor impairment in children with ADHD and elucidate effective treatment strategies for these disorders together and apart.

Movement difficulties in children with ADHD: Comparing the long‐ and short‐form Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency—Second Edition (BOT‐2)

“…Symptoms of ADHD need to be present in childhood and cause impairment across multiple settings (APA, 2013). Approximately 50% of children with ADHD experience additional difficulties with fine and/ or gross motor coordination (Goulardins, Marques, & De Oliveira, 2017). Unrecognised motor coordination difficulties can perpetuate problems in academic and social activities and participation even after ADHD symptoms are successfully managed (Mandich, Polatajko, & Rodger, 2003).…”

Writing kinematics and graphic rules in children with ADHD

“…Earlier 9 research of writing in children with ADHD revealed that writing difficulties associated with attention problems are the consequence of both impaired graphemic buffer and kinematic motor production, and not of linguistic nature [26]. Based on this, we could assume that subjects with ADHD tend to make faster movements with larger on surface pressure compared to TDC and not due to possibly accompanied dyslexia or dysgraphia [26] neither presence of comorbid developmental coordination disorder (DCD) [27].…”

Motor impairments in children: More than just the clumsy child

“…When the diagnostic criteria for both disorders are met, individuals can be given a dual diagnosis. The rates of DCD in children with ADHD and ASD are as high as 50% . In addition to ASD and ADHD, DCD is also highly prevalent with academic difficulties (e.g.…”

“…The rates of DCD in children with ADHD and ASD are as high as 50%. 24 In addition to ASD and ADHD, DCD is also highly prevalent with academic difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) 25 and speech and language impairments.…”