ADHD development: Promoting motor and sensorimotor skills

ADHD can also negatively impact motor coordination. It's important to recognize these difficulties early and to promote motor skills in a targeted manner. Here are our tips on the topic.

ADHD affects not only cognitive function but also Motor development . Children with ADHD often have difficulties with motor coordination – which manifests itself in clumsy movements and limited action planning. These deficits are noticeable in everyday activities such as writing, eating, dressing, and tying shoes. The often-used expression "having two left hands" is, however, very inaccurate – because hand coordination is a complex interplay of touch, muscles, eyes, and brain. This teamwork of sensory systems with the motor systems, such as hand-eye coordination, is Sensorimotor skills And fortunately, a child's sensorimotor development can also be encouraged through play. Here are some things you can do as a parent/childcare provider:

1. Sensory toys: Toys like Touch discs , Stacking blocks , play sand, wooden figures, etc. can be a valuable aid for children with ADHD in their sensorimotor development. By stimulating the senses and promoting tactile perception, such toys help children to improve motor skills and coordination . Additionally, sensory toys can help children with ADHD concentrate by encouraging them to explore different textures and shapes. Interacting with tactile discs can also have a calming effect, as they provide a form of proprioceptive stimulation—helping children become more aware of their bodies. Overall, sensory toys help strengthen the cognitive and emotional skills of children with ADHD, helping them better understand—and respond to—their environment.
   
   
2. Sensory trail: Create an obstacle course where your child can explore different materials with their hands, feet, or their entire body. This will train their perception of different stimuli. For example, incorporate sand, water, stones, or soft textiles – and thus promote tactile perception. On the course, your child will learn to better classify and deal with different textures and sensations. If you'd rather explore nature, you have a particularly attractive option: Switzerland has many so-called " barefoot paths " that offer sensory trails for both children and adults. Surprises included (keyword: broken glass that doesn't hurt).
   
   
3. Movement: If an ADHD diagnosis has been made, exercise should be part of a holistic program of measures that can alleviate symptoms and compensate for deficits. The German Society for Prevention particularly recommends Trampoline jumping particularly useful because it trains the sense of balance and strengthens the Collaboration between the right and left hemispheres of the brain . Sensory and motor functions are perceived by both hemispheres of the brain. The left hemisphere is responsible for controlling and processing the right side of the body. The right hemisphere, in turn, takes over these tasks for the left side of the body.