Study: Mirror movements may help doctors diagnose ADHD

By Staff Writer

A recent study from the Kennedy Krieger Institute shows that mirror movements children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may aid in a formal diagnosis of the condition.

Researchers studied 50 children between ages 8 and 13 who were diagnosed with ADHD and 25 children who did not have the condition. Researchers asked the participants to tap the fingers of one hand while resting the other. The study revealed that those with the condition showed increased mirror movements. This occurs when individuals are unable to move one side of the body without moving the other.

Furthermore, boys with ADHD exhibited twice as many movements then those who did not have the condition. This behavior was not seen in girls.

Researchers told the news source that measuring hand movements may become a useful tool in helping physicians diagnose children with ADHD. Other studies have shown that the condition is associated with impaired motor skills, such as poor handwriting.

Enrolling children into therapeutic boarding schools early after they have been diagnosed with the condition may help ease symptoms associated with the disorder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD.