An adaptive differential squirrel algorithm fractional order PID controller is proposed to address the problems of instability and poor accuracy of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor PID control systems. In order to improve the global optimisation of the squirrel search algorithm, the crossover operation of the difference algorithm was combined, adaptive predation probability factor, dynamic crossover probability and Gaussian distribution perturbation operation are added to the squirrel search algorithm to improve its exploration and exploitation capability. In the comparative experiment of PMSM speed control, ADESA fractional-order PID was contrasted with conventional PID and other intelligent optimization algorithms. The results indicate that the PMSM control utilizing fractional-order PID through ADESA demonstrated minimal overshoot, the fastest response time, and superior anti-disturbance capabilities compared to PID and other intelligent optimization algorithms. This significantly enhanced the control performance of the permanent magnet synchronous motor.