A recent study performed by researchers at the University of Central Florida study may explain why children with ADHD move around and fidget a lot – it helps them stay alert enough to complete challenging tasks.
In this study, Psychology Professor Mark D. Rapport discovered that children with and without ADHD can sit relatively still when painting on a computer or watching a star war movie.
However, when asked to perform a more complex task, all children became more active. But children with ADHD became significantly more active, moving around in their seats and fidgeting with hands and feet. Children with ADHD became significantly more active – moving their hands and feet and swiveling in their chairs more – than their typically developing peers during those tasks.
The study suggests that children with ADHD become hyperactive to stay alert while doing complex tasks, such as using their memory.
“We’ve known for years that children with ADHD are more active than their peers,” said Rapport, the study lead researcher, whose findings are published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. “What we haven’t known is why.” “They use movement to keep themselves alert,” Rapport added.
“They have a hard time sitting still unless they’re in a highly stimulating environment where they don’t need to use much working memory.”
This study is very informative. For more than a decade, in the field of chiropractic neurology, we have suggested that ADHD is a result of improper stimulation or activation of specific brain areas. Our brain is mainly stimulated by signals coming from the postural muscle and the spine. So, to activate our brain, we need to activate (move) our body and muscles [the pull of gravity forces the postural muscles to constantly adapt; this is the primary source of information to the brain].
So when all children need to concentrate or stay alert, they increase movement. But since children with ADHD have parts of their brain that is less active than “neurotypical children”, they need to move more!
This is the same as an adult who has been driving for a long time. When fatigue starts to kick in, they move around, fidget or even sing to stay alert.
As chiropractic neurologist, we use the body to increase stimulation to rehabilitate the underfunctioning brain areas and strengthen them. Once those areas are stronger and function better, kids do not need to move as much to activate them. Their hyperactive behavior decreases.
By the way, adhd medications do the same thing, except that they do not truly rehabilitate the brain. This is why their effects stop and the child needs to take medication all the time.
Dr. Rapports suggests “When they are doing homework, let them fidget, stand up or chew gum,” he said. “Unless their behavior is destructive, severely limiting their activity could be counterproductive.”
That’s good advice. But a better advice is to seek help with a chiropractic neurologist so that your child’s weakened brain areas can be rehabiliated naturally once and for all.
To find a chiropractor specialized in chiropractic neurology, go to: