Gross & Fine Motor Development in ADHD Children

ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is common, affecting up to 2 million schoolchildren in the US, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. ADHD is defined by excessive activity, inability to focus or organize, and impulsiveness.

Motor Skills and ADHD

• According to the University of Maryland, gross and fine motor delays are commonly seen complications accompanying ADHD. Gross motor skills involve large muscles used in things like running and climbing, while fine motor skills are those involving the finger, hands and wrists, like putting together puzzle pieces or writing.

Research on ADHD and Motor Problems

• A study published in the May 18, 2009, issue of "Behavioral and Brain Function" found that 80 to 96 percent of ADHD boys showed moderate to severe problems with motor skills compared to the control group of non-ADHD boys.

Fine Motor Skills

• Specifically, handwriting has been noted often as problematic for ADHD children. However, the Norwegian study in "Behavioral and Brain Functions" noted significant difficulty in developing proper eating habits as well.

Clumsiness

• Both the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Norwegian study noted clumsiness, with AACAP referencing clumsiness when running or skipping, while the study details difficulties with bumping into things and difficulty playing sports, specifically.

Other Gross Motor Problems

• The Norwegian study notes that the ADHD group demonstrated increased muscle tone, jerky movements and difficulty with both balance and stability. They concluded that none of the motor problems observed appear to be due to inattention or impulsiveness.