By Jaime Herndon

Kids with ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are often told repeatedly to stop their squirming around or fidgeting – especially during school or while doing homework. Well, a new study from the University of Central Florida shows that there may be some science behind the squirming of kids with ADHD and learning new material. The squirming movements kids with ADHD make actually aid them in remembering information and completing complex cognitive tasks, according to the study, published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.

This doesn’t mean that children with ADHD should be able run wild when learning new things; it simply means that keeping still is not the most conducive behavior for them while doing work. The study found that excessive movement occurs when children with ADHD are using executive brain functions, working memory in particular. The movement helps them maintain alertness. In children who do not have ADHD, however, excessive movement has a detrimental effect on cognitive performance.

Published: April 22, 2015
Photo: Kobyakov