03 Nov Why Some Children with ADHD Might Also Be “Super Bendy”: Understanding the Link Between Hypermobility and Neurodiversity
As a paediatric occupational therapist, I often meet children whose brains and bodies work in wonderfully different ways. Many families know about ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) as a condition that affects focus, energy, and attention. But did you know there’s growing evidence that some children with ADHD also have very flexible or “bendy” joints?
This flexibility is called joint hypermobility, and it means the joints can move beyond the typical range because of differences in the body’s connective tissues. Some children are simply more flexible, but for others, hypermobility can come with extra challenges such as fatigue, clumsiness, pain, or difficulty with body awareness.
What Does the Research Say?
Recent studies have found that ADHD and joint hypermobility often occur together:
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A large Swedish study found that people with ADHD were almost five times more likely to have hypermobile joints than those without ADHD (Cederlöf et al., 2022).
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Another study in the UK showed that around half of adults with neurodevelopmental conditions (like ADHD or autism) had hypermobility, compared with about one in five in the general population (Baeza-Velasco et al., 2022).
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In children, early research also shows that those with ADHD may have greater joint flexibility, which could explain why some seem “clumsy” or tire more easily (Akkurt et al., 2024).
This connection might exist because both conditions can involve differences in how the body’s connective tissue and nervous system develop.
How Can This Affect Everyday Life?
For children who are both neurodivergent and hypermobile, life can feel a little trickier:
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Movement and coordination: Bendy joints can make it harder to know where the body is in space (proprioception), so your child might appear wiggly or restless as they try to “feel” where their body is.
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Fatigue and pain: Joints that move too much can tire easily. This can make sitting still, concentrating, or even handwriting more difficult.
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Sensory regulation: Hypermobility can affect how children sense and control their movement, which can impact focus and emotional regulation.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help
As OTs, we can support your child by:
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Including proprioceptive (heavy work) activities that build body awareness and strength.
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Helping your child learn about joint protection and pacing to prevent fatigue.
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Working with schools to adapt seating, handwriting, and movement breaks.
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Supporting emotional and sensory regulation through play and movement.
Takeaway for Parents
If your child has ADHD and seems especially flexible, clumsy, or often complains of tired or sore joints, it’s worth mentioning this to your therapist or doctor. Understanding that your child’s “busy body” might be linked to their bendy body helps everyone work together with more empathy — supporting both their brain and their body.
References (for parents who want to learn more):
- Cederlöf, M. et al. (2022). Frontiers in Psychiatry. PubMed link
- Baeza-Velasco, C. et al. (2022). Frontiers in Psychiatry. PubMed link
- Akkurt, H. et al. (2024). Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. PubMed link
- Eccles, J. A. et al. (2022). Frontiers in Psychiatry. Full text