ADHD and Motor Planning

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Choose an area above to explore how ADHD can affect Sam's motor planning. Click the Sequencing cards to swap them into the right order, watch Sam try to clap on beat, and see what happens during a dual task challenge!

What Is Motor Planning?

Motor planning (also called praxis) is the brain's ability to figure out how to do a physical task. It's more than just moving your muscles - it's the thinking that happens before and during a movement. Motor planning involves four key steps:

• Ideation - coming up with the idea of what to do
• Sequencing - working out the steps and sequence
• Execution - carrying out the movement smoothly
• Review - reflection on whether the movement was successful or needs modification

For most of us, motor planning happens automatically. We don't think about the 15 steps involved in putting on a t-shirt - we just do it. But for children with ADHD, this process can be disrupted because motor planning relies heavily on executive function, which is exactly the area where ADHD has its biggest impact.

How ADHD Affects Motor Planning

ADHD is often thought of as a condition that only affects attention and behaviour. But research demonstrates that ADHD is primarily a neurodevelopmental condition and therefore difficulties with motor coordination and planning are common Here's why:

• Sequencing - ADHD can make it hard to hold a series of steps in working memory. Steps get skipped, repeated, or done out of order. Tasks like getting dressed, packing a school bag, or following a recipe become surprisingly tricky.
• Timing - The perception of the passage of time is believed to be influenced in individuals with ADHD, which would impact the body's ability to create, sequence and store movement patterns correctly. This affects rhythm, ball skills, handwriting fluency, and any activity that requires precise timing.
• Dual tasks - Doing two things at once requires dividing attention, which is already in short supply. Walking while carrying something, writing while listening, or talking while getting dressed - these everyday combinations can overload the motor planning system.

What Does This Look Like Day to Day?

Every child is different, but some common signs of motor planning difficulties in children with ADHD include:

• Taking much longer to get dressed, especially with buttons, zips, and laces
• Messy handwriting that doesn't match their intelligence or effort
• Difficulty learning new physical skills (riding a bike, swimming, skipping)
• Clumsiness - bumping into things, spilling drinks, dropping objects
• Trouble following multi-step instructions for physical tasks
• Avoiding sports, playground games, or craft activities
• Getting frustrated with tasks that other children seem to find easy

How Physiotherapy Helps

A paediatric physiotherapist can make a real difference for children with ADHD who have motor planning challenges. We work on:

• Breaking tasks into smaller steps - making sequences manageable and building confidence
• Rhythm and timing activities - using music, clapping games, and metronome exercises to sharpen internal timing
• Dual-task practice - gradually building up the ability to do two things at once, starting with easy combinations
• Body awareness - helping children understand where their body is in space (proprioception)
• Strength and coordination - building the physical foundation that makes motor planning easier
• Strategy development - teaching children tricks and routines that reduce the demand on working memory

We make all of this fun! Play-based therapy means children are learning without even realising it. When a child feels successful in their body, it builds confidence that flows into every part of their life.

Supporting Sam at Home

There are simple things you can do at home to support your child's motor planning:

• Use visual schedules - pictures showing the steps for getting dressed, brushing teeth, or packing a bag
• Practice rhythm - clapping games, drumming, dancing to music
• Slow down - give extra time for physical tasks and avoid rushing
• One instruction at a time - break multi-step tasks into single steps
• Celebrate effort - focus on progress, not perfection
• Play! - obstacle courses, ball games, building with blocks, and craft activities all build motor planning skills naturally

If you're noticing motor planning challenges alongside ADHD in your child, we'd love to help. Get in touch to learn how paediatric physiotherapy can support your child's coordination, confidence, and independence.