Idiopathic Toe Walking and ADHD

Recent research examined the relationship between idiopathic toe walking and ADHD. Idiopathic toe walking was defined as a gait pattern with no contact between the heels and the ground in children older than 3 years. The study included 312 children diagnosed with ADHD, with a normal neurological examination, with no alterations in MRI scan, cognitive disorder or autism. A complete medical history and goniometric measurements were obtained for each of the participants (mean age 11 years old, 73.7% boys). The participants were classified according to ADHD subtypes:

53.8% had ADHD combined subtype
44.9% had inattentive ADHD
1.3% had hyperactive ADHD

The results of the study on idiopathic toe walking and ADHD indicated the following:

idiopathic toe walking was observed in 20.8% of patients, mostly in the combined subtype.
Achilles shortening was present in 49.2% of the participants with idiopathic toe walking.
idiopathic toe walking was associated with sociability disorders, an absence of pain in legs and a family history of toe walking.
11% of the participants had visited a doctor for toe walking.

The researchers concluded that children with ADHD have an increase in idiopathic toe walking and Achilles shortening, especially if they presented with a social communication disorder or a family history of toe walking. It is helpful when idiopathic toe walking is diagnosed early in order to begin effective treatments.

Reference: Insuga, V. S., Vinués, B. M., del Pozo, R. L., Moreno, M. R., González, M. M., Ruiz, R. C., & Carmen, C. M. (2018). Do children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a different gait pattern? Relationship between idiopathic toe-walking and ADHD. Anales de Pediatría (English Edition).

Taming Idiopathic Toe Walking: A Treatment Guide for Parents and Therapists is an electronic or print book that provides a non-invasive, efficient and effective sensory treatment strategy for children and adolescents that display atypical toe walking. Find out more.

The T.W.O. Tool – Toe Walking Observation Screening Tool utilizes a parent survey and clinical assessment to screen possible sensory processing and motor coordination difficulties. The tool is scored to help determine if the child exhibits sensory-based toe walking of unknown origin, as opposed to other clinical observations that may indicate an origin that is not primarily sensory-based.