The ADHD walk can look like strides that are too long when walking or running because of poor spatial awareness or struggling to move in a straight line because of imbalance, and is caused by problems with sensory inputs and brain-muscle coordination that stem from the somatosensory systems.
Previous research has shown that school-aged children with ADHD walk with higher gait variability compared to controls (Leitner et al., 2007; Papadopoulos et al., 2014; Manicolo et al., 2016), indicating a less regular walking pattern in children with ADHD compared to typically developing children.
Children with ADHD walk with less consistent speed and rhythm than peers. Gait variability parameters are highly relevant to ADHD. Evidence for more motor support needed among children with ADHD.
In most cases, people with ADHD pace because they want to get a hold of their hyperactivity symptoms. For instance, when a thousand thoughts run in their mind, they might want to pace so that they can think more clearly.
Researchers from University of Central Florida have discovered that children with ADHD need to move more to maintain the required level of alertness while performing tasks that challenge their working memory. “We've known for years that children with ADHD are more active than their peers.
Two of the most common sleep disorders linked with ADHD are periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) and restless legs syndrome (RLS). For these reasons, kids with ADHD are more likely to have daytime drowsiness than those without ADHD.
The ADHD walk can look like strides that are too long when walking or running because of poor spatial awareness or struggling to move in a straight line because of imbalance, and is caused by problems with sensory inputs and brain-muscle coordination that stem from the somatosensory systems.
Be on the lookout for nonverbal clues.
These include body language, such as moving away from you, cutting conversations short, or crossing their arms or legs. Also note facial expressions, such as red faces, scowls, tight lips, or hurt or angry eyes.
Children with ADHD often demonstrate poor posture and postural-ocular integration which can be manifested in trouble sitting still, taking frequent movement breaks, or slumping/leaning.
The connection between mental and psychomotor processing and ADHD is complex. Slow processing speed is sometimes a symptom of ADHD — but not always. People living with ADHD may feel like their brains are going faster, yet they do things more slowly.
Slow Processing Speed Associated with ADHD
They may be mentally foggy, underactive, slow moving, and lethargic. Their work is often slow and error prone. Their brain activity shows patterns of under arousal in the portion of the brain associated with focus and planning.
Some individuals with the predominately inattentive type of ADHD also display a subset of symptoms that are typified by sluggish-lethargic behavior and mental fogginess. It is this subset of characteristics that have been described as "sluggish cognitive tempo" (or SCT).
If, on the other hand, an individual with ADHD loses interest in an activity, his nervous system disengages, in search of something more interesting. Sometimes this disengagement is so abrupt as to induce sudden extreme drowsiness, even to the point of falling asleep.
Poor motor coordination or motor performance is another common coexisting difficulty in children with ADHD, though it has received less attention in research. Children with ADHD who experience motor difficulties often display deficits in tasks requiring coordination of complex movements, such as handwriting.
Adults with ADHD frequently think being sociable with others is an all-or-nothing part of their lives. Either they're oversharing and talking too much, or they're withdrawn and staying home alone. Hyperactivity in adults is often expressed as being overly talkative and boisterous.
Common ADHD-Related Problems
Impulsive spending or overspending. Starting fights or arguing. Trouble maintaining friendships and romantic relationships. Speeding and dangerous driving.
Some children with ADHD who struggle with social skills do not hear their tone. They do not realize that the way they are communicating is off-putting or rude.
What Does ADHD Paralysis Look Like? From the outside, it looks like you're just sitting there, doing nothing. But that feeling like you can't move (and sometimes, can't speak) is incredibly stressful.
Perception/observation/curiosity
It sees and tolerates/appreciates new ideas, new movements, new visualizations, new concepts. Individuals with ADHD often perceive (intuitively) connections or “flows” that are not appreciated by others.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety and ADHD
Shaky hands or trembling. Sweating. A faster heartbeat.
Turns out, yes, there is. Some new research is particularly interesting. We've long known that children with ADHD experience greater-than-average challenges with “motor control”—in particular, balance.