Fidget to Focus-Sensory System Impact on ADHD

How our <strong>Sensory</strong> <strong>System</strong> impacts
ADHD and Executive Functions
Roland Rotz, PhD
www.DocRotz.com
Education Minnesota Professional Conference
Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 15, 2009

Overview
• Learning is heavily influenced by activity in
our sensory system.
• A gradual shift in the way children learn has
changed how we teach.
• Sit Still and Pay Attention~ Outdated!
• Mindful Learning: A shift in how <strong>to</strong> learn
• <strong>Fidget</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Focus</strong>: <strong>Sensory</strong> strategies for
attention and learning

Recent Innovations in
movement for the Classroom

Traditional Learning
• Stillness is an essential element of attention
• Movement and variation of perspective
hamper attention and concentration
• Repetition and “Just give me the facts!”
• Governed by rule and routine
• Depends upon impressions drawn by others
• Passive vs. Active Learning

Rising Tide
of Passive Learning
• Television and movies replace reading as
primary source of entertainment
• Less practice actively imagining
• More practice passively watching
• Reading Comprehension scores decline
• Children everywhere: “I’m Bored!”
• Simply sitting still and listening no longer
engages the child’s imagination

Mindful Learning (E. Langer,1997)
• The simple act of drawing novel distinctions
• A flexible state of mind
• Actively engaged in the present
• Noticing new things
• Sensitive <strong>to</strong> context
• Seeking alternative ways of knowing
• Rules and routine guide but do not
predetermine behavior

Movement <strong>to</strong> Increase
Attention Carson,Shih,Langer, 2001, J of Adult Dev.
• Study: Sit Still and Pay Attention?
• Students were asked <strong>to</strong> view and remember
landmarks and locations on a world map
• 3 groups: Sit Still, Shuffle, and Walk
• Kids in the “Walk” group identified sig. more
landmarks than kids in the “Sit Still” group
• 24% of “Sit Still” group reported: Distracted
• By varying perspectives attention & memory
improve! ADHD “moving” kids did best!

Movement improves
Attention and Memory
• Chewing gum improves memory and
working memory. Wilkinson, L., Scholey, A. &
Wesnes, K. (2002), Baker, J. R., et.al. (2004)
• Cardiovascular exercise improves attention,
memory and many other functions.
Ratey, J. Spark (2008)
• Doodling while listening helps memory
recall. Andrade, J. (2009)
• Tangles in the classroom: Found <strong>to</strong> help focus and
improve concentration. Zawitz, R. (2009)

ADHD: Brief Definition
Symp<strong>to</strong>ms of Executive Function
• Inattention
• Impulse Control
• Hyperactivity
We understand the neurology of
inattention and impulse control, but
why do we fidget?

Why Do We <strong>Fidget</strong>?

“Just one more
round of Nintendo
and I’ll be done
with my
homework!”

Optimal Stimulation Theory
Sydney Zentall
• Theory suggests: people actively seek some
optimal levels of stimulation.
• ADHD children and adults require more
stimulation and novelty than others.
• They seek heightened levels of activity or
stimulation through their environment.
• She conducted a series of tests demonstrating
that adding environmental and task stimulation
improved the performance and behavior of
children with ADHD.

<strong>Fidget</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Focus</strong>:
A Shift in Understanding!
• Critical areas of the brain are underactive
and dysregulated
• Underactivity is experienced as boring or
tedious
• Underactivity is in<strong>to</strong>lerable
• Boredom is avoided by seeking stimulation
• Looks like Attention Surplus Disorder
• Some sensory strategies facilitate focus
while other strategies interrupt focus

Allen Zametkin, NIMH

BOREDOM vs. INTEREST
IMPORTANT

<strong>Fidget</strong> Strategy at it’s Worst
• <strong>Fidget</strong> by default
• Unplanned and unintended
• Interrupts rather than focuses

Facilitating
<strong>Focus</strong>ing <strong>Fidget</strong>s
• Simultaneous <strong>Sensory</strong> Stimulation
Strategies
• Short term modulation of a disregulated
system: Usually when bored!
• Rhythmic
• Recent evidence of sustained change
from persistent use of some of these
strategies.

Facilitating
<strong>Focus</strong>ing <strong>Fidget</strong>s
• Which of your senses works best and
which is worst for information gathering?
• Best sensory method = interest.
• Worst sensory method = boredom.
• Simultaneous application of worst and
best senses improves focus during tedious
or underwhelming event.

Movement Strategies
• Running, walking, yoga, guided imagery
• Tapping fingers, wiggling legs or <strong>to</strong>es
• Rhythm of rocking, knitting
• Chewing, biting, sucking, smoking
• Doodling, spinning drumsticks
• Challenging Gravity Movements:
• Standing up or pacing
• Balancing on back two legs of a chair
• An arm extended in the air <strong>to</strong> fall asleep

Touch Strategies
• Tactile, Textural, or Temperature Quality
• <strong>Fidget</strong>ing with hair, skin, coins or keys
• <strong>Fidget</strong>ing with <strong>to</strong>ys like Tangles
• Clicking a pen, mechanical pencil
• Tapping, drumming or rubbing fingers
• Knitting, sewing
• Cooking, kneading, stirring
• Silkies, blankies or favorite old shirt
• Cold showers or cool/warm air

Sight Strategies
• Television
• Video games
• Channel surfing
• Noticing details in a room
• Glancing out a window
• Watching a flickering candle or fireplace
• Watching a pendulum
• Using colorful <strong>to</strong>ols ie. markers

Sound Strategies
• Music: familiar, often with a beat
• Drumming
• White noise
• Water fountains, waterfalls
• Whistling
• Humming
• Reading outloud
• Hearing passing cars
• Overhead fans

Taste Strategies
• Sweet/sour candies
• Mint flavors
• Spices in foods, like ginger
• Taste of Starbucks
• Flavored teas
• Taste of adrenaline
• Taste of fear

Smell Strategies
• Flavored pens
• Fresh crisp air
• Ammonia in smelling salts
• Aroma Therapy
– Lavender oil vs Lemon oil
• Perfumes and cologne
• Cinnamon rolls in the mall
• Smoke

• Procrastination
• Time sprints
Time Strategies
“I will never be the <strong>to</strong>r<strong>to</strong>ise!”
• Count down timers Timers on your computer

Companion Strategies
• Body double
• Study buddy, tu<strong>to</strong>r
• Workout partner
• Family or parent
• Teacher
• Personal assistant
• Coach or Therapist or Organizer

<strong>Fidget</strong> Strategies:
Parents
• Choose <strong>to</strong> be Interested and Interesting
• Blend <strong>to</strong> create the ideal vacation
• Be curious daily!
• Keep your promises in focus: Intensify them
• Walk and talk
• Markers on the mirror <strong>to</strong> communicate
• Family calendars
• Encourage passion: Daily

<strong>Fidget</strong> Strategies: School
• Multi-sensory teaching
• Reading <strong>to</strong> background music
• Standup desks or sitting on exercise balls
• Standing, swaying or chewing gum
• Respectful fidgeting with Tangle <strong>to</strong>ys
• Reading aloud with enthusiasm
• Anticipating arousal shifts in transitions
• Brain Gym exercises
• Sprint strategies <strong>to</strong> manage time/projects
• Teach self-moni<strong>to</strong>ring and self-regulation

<strong>Fidget</strong> Strategies:
Falling Asleep
• Listen <strong>to</strong> iPod or CD: familiar music
• Listen <strong>to</strong> TV, fan, white noise
• Read a “mildly” interesting book
• Silkies or wrinklies
• Gentle, repetitive movements
• Guided imagery or Pzizz.com
• Arm balanced in the air
• Vibrating pillows, beds

<strong>Fidget</strong> Strategies:
Waking Up
• Multiple alarms placed in strategic places
• Alarm <strong>to</strong> take medication ½ hour early
• Nagging parent
• Vibrating, rolling, or flying alarm clock
• 2 glasses of water at bedtime
• Promise <strong>to</strong> awaken a friend or ask a friend
<strong>to</strong> wake you up.

<strong>Fidget</strong> Strategies:
Summing Up
• Notice the natural rhythms around you
• Find your personal rhythm
• Listen <strong>to</strong> the rhythm of your senses, find your
strength and your struggle
• Blend your senses <strong>to</strong> create focus
• Chose effective and respectful fidgets
• The selective rhythm of sensory movement is
exercising for your brain

<strong>Fidget</strong> Strategies:
Summing Up
• Living life with ADD is <strong>to</strong> be creatively eccentric
– Embrace the passion
– Notice the differences
– Expect the unexpected
– Find the rhythm in the chaos
• <strong>Fidget</strong> with Attitude
• Do it with respect for yourself and others
• Welcome <strong>to</strong> the fraternity of those who
<strong>Fidget</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Focus</strong>

Why do
we fidget?
Because
we can!
www.<strong>Fidget</strong>To<strong>Focus</strong>.com
Roland Rotz, PhD

www.<strong>Fidget</strong>To<strong>Focus</strong>.com
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