Stability and Psychophysiological Support of Upright Posture in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a learning disability characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, is one of the most commonly diagnosed behavioral conditions of childhood and adolescence. Despite their well-developed primitive motility, children with ADHD experience motor difficulties when they make automated and finely coordinated movements [10, 14]. Children with ADHD often have such sensory disorders as low sensitivity to cold and pain, sometimes in combination with tactile hypersensitivity and low sensitivity to stimulation of the vestibular apparatus [6, 12, 13]. Equilibrium and vestibular sensitivity are very important components of primitive motility. Vestibular sensitivity depends on head position, eye motility, proprioception, and other sensory systems providing the information necessary for posture maintenance. There are two forms of vestibular sensitivity disorders: hypersensitivity resulting in uncertainty of movements (the child is unable tolerate fast head turns, driving, etc.) or, on the contrary, low sensitivity to stimulation. Hyperactive children exhibit low sensitivity to stimulation of the vestibular apparatus. They bear swinging and rotation (swings, carousels, sledding) better than other children. Besides, the characteristics of stability of upright posture without visual control in hyperactive children are inferior to such characteristics in other children [11, 12].