ADD and RLS

[Guest guest]

Studies have shown that many ADD/ADHDs have RLS also. I think that they

are connected in that they are both central nervous system disorders with

sensory processing problems. But you can have ADD and not have RLS and

vice versa. However you are right that if an ADD has RLS they have an even

worse time sitting still. Some of the studies on ADD that I have read,

suggest that the reason ADDers have trouble sitting still is that they have

very poor body awareness and " lose " where they are if they don't move and

activate the proprioceptors sensors in the joints. This can be very scary,

to float in space, so they move. I try to teach them and their teachers to

recognize when they are having problems and allow them to do whatever it

takes to regain their focus. I was horrified the first time I realized

that a percentage of ADDers have RLS also. It has to be handled

differently but the principle is the same - recognize that you are in

trouble and deal with it. Many ADDs are on good brushing programs and that

helps. ADDers have even more problems with sensory processing that just

having to move their legs. They can also be effected with loud sounds,

light touch, smells, any sense can overwhelm them. It is interesting that

the new studies for RLS suggest that the proprioceptive (boyd awareness)

sensors don't turn off when they are supposed to, triggering a motor

response. That is probably why the brushing works (I use a sugical scrub

brush but if fur works...). It tends to normalize the sensory input - it

changes it to a touch sense instead of a body awareness/have to move sense.

Lee, PT

Citrus Heights, CA