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Introduction:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulties in sustaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While medication and behavioural interventions are commonly employed to manage symptoms, recent research suggests that fidgeting and movement play a significant role in improving concentration and regulating dopamine levels in children with ADHD. Here I explore the underlying mechanisms of how fidgeting and movement positively impact ADHD symptoms, focusing on the influence on dopamine regulation and concentration.
Dopamine and ADHD:
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, reward, and attention, plays a crucial role in ADHD. Individuals with ADHD often exhibit an imbalance in dopamine regulation, leading to challenges in sustaining attention and regulating impulses. Understanding dopamine’s role in ADHD is essential for comprehending how fidgeting and movement affect symptom management.
Fidgeting and Movement as a Self-Stimulation Mechanism:
Children with ADHD often engage in fidgeting and movement to self-stimulate their sensory systems. This self-stimulation provides a form of sensory input, which helps regulate the brain’s arousal levels and increase focus. The act of fidgeting and movement may activate the dopamine reward pathway, promoting the release of dopamine in the brain and improving attentional functioning.
Enhancing Dopamine Release:
Research suggests that physical movement and fidgeting stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain. When children with ADHD engage in movements such as tapping their feet, swinging their legs, or shifting their body weight, they experience a temporary increase in dopamine levels. This surge of dopamine contributes to improved attention and motivation. Consequently, fidgeting and movement become a compensatory mechanism for children with ADHD to regulate dopamine levels and enhance concentration.
Increasing Arousal and Alertness:
Children with ADHD often struggle with low arousal levels and diminished alertness. Fidgeting and movement serve as methods to increase arousal, thereby enhancing attention and focus. The physical activity associated with fidgeting activates the body’s sympathetic nervous system, leading to a rise in physiological arousal. This heightened arousal level helps combat the hypo-arousal typically seen in children with ADHD and aids in sustaining attention on tasks.
Promoting Sensory Integration:
Children with ADHD frequently have sensory processing difficulties, characterised by challenges in integrating and organising sensory information from their environment. Fidgeting and movement provide additional sensory input, allowing these children to better integrate and process sensory information, resulting in improved concentration. The repetitive and rhythmic movements associated with fidgeting act as a form of kinesthetic input, which can have a calming and organising effect on the nervous system, supporting attentional regulation.
Releasing Excess Energy:
Hyperactivity is a common symptom of ADHD, and excessive energy can impede concentration. Fidgeting and movement serve as an outlet for this surplus energy, allowing children with ADHD to channel it constructively. By engaging in purposeful movements, such as squeezing stress balls, using fidget toys, or participating in physical exercises, children with ADHD can release energy, resulting in a reduction of hyperactivity and an increase in focused attention.
Alternative Focus Points:
For some individuals with ADHD, directing their attention exclusively on a task can be challenging due to their inherent distractibility. Fidgeting and movement provide alternative focus points that occupy the restless part of their brain while allowing them to concentrate on the primary task. By redirecting their hyperactive tendencies toward a secondary activity, such as manipulating a fidget spinner or doodling, children with ADHD can better concentrate on the primary task at hand.
Conclusion:
Fidgeting and movement play a significant role in enhancing concentration and regulating dopamine levels in children with ADHD. By understanding the underlying mechanisms, such as increased dopamine release, improved arousal and alertness, sensory integration, energy release, and alternative focus points, we can appreciate the benefits of fidgeting and movement as a self-regulatory strategy for individuals with ADHD. Leveraging this knowledge can inform educators, parents, and clinicians in designing interventions that incorporate controlled fidgeting and movement to optimise attentional functioning and overall well-being in children with ADHD.
And Finally…
If you have any comments on any part of this, advice / suggestions or questions that I may be able to assist you with, please feel free to contact me at pete@weareneurodiverse.com or add a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can 
Thank you & take care,
Pete
