Motor development of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder.
• Motor development is crucial for children's overall functioning and learning.
• Previous research suggests a potential link between ADHD and motor impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare global and specific motor development domains in children with ADHD versus typically developing children.
• To identify specific areas of motor deficit in children diagnosed with ADHD.
• To explore the relationship between ADHD and motor difficulties.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 200 children aged 5-10 years (50 with ADHD, 150 controls).
• Utilized the Motor Development Scale to assess fine and global motor skills, balance, body schema, and spatial-temporal organization.
• Employed DSM-IV-TR criteria for ADHD diagnosis in the clinical group.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences in all assessed motor domains were observed between ADHD and control groups.
• Children with ADHD exhibited a motor development delay of approximately two years compared to normative samples.
• Specific motor difficulties were identified in children with ADHD across various domains.

Conclusions:

• ADHD is associated with a significant delay in motor development compared to typically developing children.
• Children with ADHD experience difficulties in specific motor areas, impacting their development.
• These findings suggest underlying mechanisms connecting ADHD and motor skill deficits.