ADHD and Movement: It's Not Just About 'Sitting Still'
- Kathryn Robinson BSc (Hons) MCSP
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
When a child finds it difficult to sit still, stay focused or wait for instructions, it can be tempting to think that movement is getting in the way of their learning.
But for children with ADHD, movement can actually be part of the solution.
Developing movement skills is complex. It involves much more than simply being able to move our bodies from one place to another. Children need to remember instructions, plan ahead, sequence themselves, switch between tasks, monitor their performance and make relevant adjustments.
A child with ADHD may have challenges in one or more of these areas, which can in turn affect their ability to develop their motor skills.
How can ADHD affect movement and motor skills?
Children learn new skills by practice and repetition, especially when things are tricky.
Children with ADHD may find it harder to maintain their attention during repetitive practice, meaning that developing new motor skills can take longer.
Children with ADHD may also be impulsive at times, which can affect how they listen to instructions. They may get going before the instruction is finished or before they have fully processed the instruction.
This can make them look like they have poor co-ordination, when there may actually be other factors affecting how they are able to follow and respond to instructions.
Why movement can help children with ADHD
Some children with ADHD actively seek movement in order to help them regulate their arousal and attention levels.
This is important because we need to challenge the idea that "children need to sit still so that they can concentrate".
Instead, for some children, allowing movement can actually help improve concentration.
An active child is not necessarily an inattentive child. Movement may provide the regulation they need to remain engaged, particularly during activities that require sustained attention or periods of waiting.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach
Not all children are the same, and this includes children with a diagnosis of ADHD.
What helps one child may not be helpful for another, so trial and error is needed to find strategies that help.
The aim is not necessarily to stop a child from moving. Instead, we can think about how movement might be used positively to support their attention, regulation and participation.
Practical ways to support movement skills in children with ADHD
There are several practical things to try when helping children with ADHD develop their movement skills.
Have short, frequent movement breaks
Rather than expecting a child to remain still for a long period, build in short, frequent movement breaks. These can provide an opportunity to move and then return to the task.
Keep instructions clear and concise
Provide clear and concise instructions. This can make it easier for a child to understand what is expected before they begin a movement or activity.
Show rather than just tell
Provide visual demonstrations of movements rather than just describing them. A demonstration can give the child a clear example of what they are being asked to do.
Practise in short blocks
Practice skills in short blocks rather than one long session. Shorter periods of practice can make it easier to maintain attention and engagement, particularly when the activity is repetitive.
Create an active learning environment
Provide an "active learning" environment where appropriate. This could include using a gym ball or a wobble cushion rather than a static chair, or allowing a child to move around the room whilst learning.
For some children, having the opportunity to move can support their concentration rather than distract from it.
Give the child a job to do
If a child is having to wait, give them a job to do. Having something purposeful to focus on can provide an appropriate opportunity for movement and engagement rather than expecting them simply to remain still while they wait.
Rethinking what we mean by 'good concentration'
Supporting a child with ADHD isn't necessarily about teaching them to sit still for longer.
Movement, attention and regulation are closely connected, and some children may concentrate better when they are given appropriate opportunities to move.
By understanding that children with ADHD may experience challenges with attention, impulsivity, motor planning and regulation, we can look for strategies that work with the child rather than simply expecting them to behave differently.
Every child is different, so finding the right combination of strategies may take some experimentation. What matters is identifying the approaches that help that individual child participate, learn and develop their movement skills.
At Total Children's Therapy, our multi-agency team considers the individual needs of each child and the different factors that can influence their development and participation. This allows us to look beyond a single behaviour and consider what might help a child to engage and succeed in everyday activities.
This blog was written by Kat Robinson, Physiotherapist and member of the TCT neurodiversity diagnostic service multi-agency team.
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