Question: I’m writing a paper on the benefits and challenges of playing drums with ADHD, and I’m suddenly reading things about how motor deficiencies can be a symptom of ADHD. I’ve neither heard of nor experienced this myself (I was diagnosed 20 years ago), and I’m a bit confused:
  
  * Are the deficiencies generally limited to fine or gross motor skills?
     * I know that handwriting can be an issue, so certainly fine motor, but I want to ask before I dive down a rabbit hole
  * How common are motor deficiencies in ADHD?
  * Are they (in your opinion, at least) likely to inhibit learning an instrument? (especially a highly physical one like percussion) Or other physical skills, like drawing, cooking, or sports?
  
  My paper uses [Rapport’s working memory model of ADHD (in relation to hyperactivity)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-008-9287-8) as a justification/incentive for students with ADHD to study percussion. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this too, if you're able (though my first questions are more important). Basically...
  
  * The ADHD brain needs to move more (than NT brain) to compensate for chronic under-arousal
  * Percussion requires more movement (fine and gross) than other instruments and can therefore provide some of that compensation, making it ideal for students with ADHD
     * (I'd love to do a study at some point to justify my theory, perhaps measuring attentiveness in ADHD percussionists during rehearsal or individual practice sessions compared to other instrumentalists with ADHD)
  
  Thank you so much for your time!
Answer: Great question.  its probably not percussion per se that is beneficial to folks with ADHD but, as you noted above, movement.  Research is increasingly showing the benefits of exercise in helping people manage and cope with ADHD symptoms.  Also, just movement while working studying, or in meetings can be helpful, such as squeezing a tennis ball in one hand while note taking with the other or just listening.  Before boring meetings or classes, go for a run, or just walk up and down a flight of stairs.  Then try to incorporate smaller movements during that situation.  So, yes, activity and movement seem to be helpful whether it is drumming, sports, aerobic workouts, running, whatever.  It all seems to help.
content: Q: I’m writing a paper on the benefits and challenges of playing drums with ADHD, and I’m suddenly reading things about how motor deficiencies can be a symptom of ADHD. I’ve neither heard of nor experienced this myself (I was diagnosed 20 years ago), and I’m a bit confused:
  
  * Are the deficiencies generally limited to fine or gross motor skills?
     * I know that handwriting can be an issue, so certainly fine motor, but I want to ask before I dive down a rabbit hole
  * How common are motor deficiencies in ADHD?
  * Are they (in your opinion, at least) likely to inhibit learning an instrument? (especially a highly physical one like percussion) Or other physical skills, like drawing, cooking, or sports?
  
  My paper uses [Rapport’s working memory model of ADHD (in relation to hyperactivity)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-008-9287-8) as a justification/incentive for students with ADHD to study percussion. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this too, if you're able (though my first questions are more important). Basically...
  
  * The ADHD brain needs to move more (than NT brain) to compensate for chronic under-arousal
  * Percussion requires more movement (fine and gross) than other instruments and can therefore provide some of that compensation, making it ideal for students with ADHD
     * (I'd love to do a study at some point to justify my theory, perhaps measuring attentiveness in ADHD percussionists during rehearsal or individual practice sessions compared to other instrumentalists with ADHD)
  
  Thank you so much for your time!
   Ans: Great question.  its probably not percussion per se that is beneficial to folks with ADHD but, as you noted above, movement.  Research is increasingly showing the benefits of exercise in helping people manage and cope with ADHD symptoms.  Also, just movement while working studying, or in meetings can be helpful, such as squeezing a tennis ball in one hand while note taking with the other or just listening.  Before boring meetings or classes, go for a run, or just walk up and down a flight of stairs.  Then try to incorporate smaller movements during that situation.  So, yes, activity and movement seem to be helpful whether it is drumming, sports, aerobic workouts, running, whatever.  It all seems to help.