Handwriting in Children With ADHD. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Langmaid, Rebecca A.; Papadopoulos, Nicole; Johnson, Beth P.; Phillips, James G.; Rinehart, Nicole J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 18:Number 6(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 504
• Page End: 510
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: ADHD -- fine motor control; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054711434154
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: Children with ADHD–combined type (ADHD-CT) display fine and gross motor problems, often expressed as handwriting difficulties. This study aimed to kinematically characterize the handwriting of children with ADHD using a cursive letter l's task.Method: In all, 28 boys (7-12 years), 14 ADHD-CT and 14 typically developing (TD), without developmental coordination disorder (DCD) or comorbid autism, wrote a series of four cursive letter l's using a graphics tablet and stylus.Results: Children with ADHD-CT had more inconsistent writing size than did TD controls. In addition, ADHD-CT symptom severity, specifically inattention, predicted poorer handwriting outcomes.Conclusion: In a sample of children with ADHD-CT who do not have DCD or autism, subtle handwriting differences were evident. It was concluded that handwriting might be impaired in children with ADHD in a manner dependent on symptom severity. This may reflect reports of underlying motor impairment in ADHD.