Fidgeting is a common trait of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Whether it’s picking at fingernails or tapping a foot, many people with ADHD tend to move more often than those without the condition.

Fidgeting and focus

• Research shows fidgeting can help children and adults focus on tasks.
• Fidgeting can include twirling your hair, doodling, chewing gum, swaying feet or clicking a pen.
• Experts say breaking up long tasks with movement, such as a walk, can help people with ADHD stay focused.

There may be a very good reason for that, according to Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Julie Schweitzer. A UC Davis MIND Institute faculty member, she has studied the link between ADHD and fidgeting for many years. “We have good evidence that fidgeting itself seems to be associated with better attention,” Schweitzer said.

Her research has found that fidgeting can help both young people and adults with ADHD focus on a task.

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition. Key symptoms include trouble paying attention, being easily distracted and impulsive behavior. Some people may be overly active, or hyperactive. It is usually a lifelong condition.

What was really interesting was the longer the task went on, the greater the effect of the fidgeting. So, as attention wanes, people fidget more and perhaps this helps maintain focus and regulation.”—Julie Schweitzer, professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

What is fidgeting and does it help people with ADHD focus?

Schweitzer uses the term “intrinsic fidgeting” — moving your body in small ways.

“It tends to be things like legs dangling and moving the foot back and forth. It can be doodling. It can be twirling your hair. It could be rocking back and forth in your seat or clicking your pen,” Schweitzer explained. “It is usually a repetitive movement that doesn’t seem to serve a function on the surface.”

But in some people, there is evidence that it does serve an important function. Schweitzer’s previous research found that fidgeting improved cognitive performance in children with ADHD.

A few months ago, her lab also published a paper that found fidgeting has the same benefit in adults. They studied how well 70 adults with ADHD performed various tasks while measuring fidgeting and movement.

“We found that adults did better on cognitive tasks with intrinsic fidgeting. What was really interesting was the longer the task went on, the greater the effect of the fidgeting. So, as attention wanes, people fidget more and perhaps this helps maintain focus and regulation,” Schweitzer said.

She noted that this suggests people with ADHD could benefit from planning a break to incorporate movement into longer tasks.

“A real break — not getting on social media, where you might get stuck for an hour, but maybe stretch or take a walk,” she said.

Why do people with ADHD fidget?

Schweitzer said this is something that’s still being studied.

“It’s clearly unconscious for the most part, but it often occurs in situations where people are bored — or on the other end of things, when they’re stressed, anxious or excited, or even intensely thinking.”

She noted that people with ADHD even move more when they are asleep.

Do fidget spinners and other fidgeting devices work?

“We know that intrinsic fidgeting helps people with ADHD focus, but we’re still researching whether devices can deliver the same effect,” Schweitzer said.

Schweitzer and colleagues from UC Santa Cruz are currently studying a “smart” fidget ball — a silicon skeleton with a soft fabric cover — which measures movements while people complete tasks. The study also involves monitoring heart rate.

“Some spinners are highly distracting. If you are going to use a device, choose an item that doesn’t interfere with getting work done or disturb those around you,” Schweitzer said. “It also really depends on the situation.”

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Fidgeting and students with ADHD at school

Students with diagnosed ADHD may be able to get accommodations at school to allow for movement to occur.

“It’s a paradigm shift,” Schweitzer said. “We need to stop the shame and acknowledge that movement, as long as is not disruptive to other students, can be very helpful to students with ADHD.”

Schweitzer noted that there is a lot more to learn about the function of fidgeting.

“There may be an emotional self-regulation aspect to fidgeting as well, and we are also studying if fidgeting can help improve emotional regulation during times of fear, sadness and anger,” Schweitzer said.