Tell-tale sign of 'ADHD walk' that could help diagnose condition early

Like many other neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD is infamously difficult to diagnose - especially in cases involving young children.

That being said, however, a team of healthcare experts believe there might be a tell-tale sign in the way a person walks that indicates they might be secretly struggling with the complex condition.

Known colloquially as the 'ADHD walk', this phenomenon reportedly sees some people walking with their weight placed onto the balls of the feet and the toes, as opposed to leaning into the heels.

As reported by Healthcare recently, whilst this could be caused by any number of reasons in individuals who do not have neurodevelopment conditions - including genetics, limited ankle movement or muscle composition - evidence suggests it may show up in the cases of children with other traits of ADHD.

A number of studies have suggested that 'toe-walking' can be linked to ADHD (Getty Stock Image)

And as such, it could contribute to the possibility of a diagnosis.

Such is also the case with autism - though, individuals with this particular disorder have also been known to walk in-toe (walk with their feet turned slightly inwards), or walk out-toe (walk with one or both feet pointed inwards).

For those unfamiliar with ADHD, specifically, the condition stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and is largely characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

This can affect the way a person enjoys their daily life, with symptoms often emerging childhood and impacting things such as education, work, and relationships.

A 2018 study into the possibility of idiopathic toe-walking being a gait pattern for ADHD found that, of 312 youngsters who'd already received an official diagnosis, over 20 per cent walked in this obscure way.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder (Getty Stock Image)

Three years later, another study into toe-walking in general, found that over nine per cent of the 77 participants had received a previous diagnosis for ADHD.

An additional 20 per cent of participants were also 'suspected' of having the condition, and had a number of other symptoms.

Whilst evidence has suggested a strong link between the condition and the oddly specific movement, however, it's not yet clear as to why this might be the case - but this isn't to say suggestions haven't been made by healthcare professionals.

Some have suggested that, being that the condition has been known to run in families, it shouldn't be so surprising to find that the 'ADHD walk' could simply be hereditary.

Others believe the differences in brain structure between ADHD and non-ADHD individuals might serve as an explanation, with the area in charge of mobility and the smoothness of movements possibly being affected by the condition.

Experts say 'toe-walking' shouldn't require treatment (Getty Stock Image)

Lastly, the sensory information that individuals with ADHD are often unable to process in the way that others can has been suggested as a possible explanation.

People with the condition often complain about their sharpened senses, which can come hand-in-hand with their increased sensitivity to stimuli from the outer world, and creating a feeling of discomfort.

So, walking on their toes might be a means of ADHD individuals avoiding distracting or unnerving stimuli on the ground.

As clinical psychologist Professor Nicole Rinehart pointed out when discussing 'autism walking' earlier this week, however, whilst this particular gait might be used to help with diagnosing conditions like ADHD and autism, it isn't necessarily something that needs to be treated.

That is, she says, unless it interferes with children living their daily lives.