The Relationship Between Motor Development and ADHD: A Critical Review and Future Directions

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of motor difficulties in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) throughout development, it is neglected as a factor underlying the etiology or functional impairment. This paper reviews the behavioral and neurological evidence linking motor difficulties to ADHD, arguing that existing theories explaining this relationship are oversimplified. Instead, embodied theories of development offer a more comprehensive evaluation of the mechanistic relationship among the motor system, cognitive development, and subsequent functional impairment in ADHD throughout early development. The integration of these perspectives will ultimately inform our understanding of the etiology of ADHD and inspire novel approaches for identification and intervention.