Motor profile of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type.
Kids with ADHD-combined type move a little worse than peers in every motor zone, so always screen the body, not just attention.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team compared kids with ADHD-combined type to same-age peers without ADHD.
They used a standard motor test that checks balance, fine hand use, and whole-body moves.
All kids scored within the normal range, but the ADHD group ran a little slower on every task.
What they found
Kids with ADHD-combined type were lower in every motor area, yet still "normal."
The gaps were small, but they showed up on balance, spacing tasks, and hand skills.
In short, the children were not clumsy enough to flag therapy, yet not equal to peers.
How this fits with other research
Casseus et al. (2024) widen the picture: in cerebral palsy, milder motor issues predict higher ADHD odds.
That study and this one agree—when motor signs are soft, ADHD risk still rises.
Matson et al. (2011) review backs this up, listing motor checks as routine for any neurodevelopmental case.
Cholemkery et al. (2016) add a twist: extra wrist motion during attention tests helps spot ADHD.
Together the papers say—watch the body, not just the clipboard, when ADHD is on the table.
Why it matters
You can’t assume poor balance is "just ADHD being fidgety."
Add a quick motor scale to your intake; note even slight lags.
If scores land low-normal, track them—motor fatigue can sneak into seatwork and social play.
Share the numbers with OT before writing goals; small gaps now can snowball into bigger ones later.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the motor profile of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), combined type. METHOD: The case group consisted of 34 treatment-naive, male patients, aged 7-11 years, who had been diagnosed with ADHD, combined type, without comorbidities (except oppositional defiant disorder). The control group was composed of 32 age- and gender-matched, typically developing children. The evaluation was made using the Motor Development Scale, which assessed global and fine motricity, balance, body scheme, and spatial and temporal organization. RESULTS: The results showed that the motor quotients in all areas studied were lower in the ADHD group than in the control group, although in most cases they represent normal values relative to the scale (53% were classified as having "normal medium" motor development, 29% "normal low", 9% "very low", 6% "normal high" and 3% as "lower"). Statistically significant differences between groups were observed in general motor age, general motor quotient, balance, spatial organization, and fine and global motricity. CONCLUSION: Difficulties in motor performance were observed in the children with ADHD, combined type. The identification of such deficits may assist in the design of therapeutic protocols for the treatment of children with this type of ADHD.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2013 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2012.07.014