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Physical Therapy for ADHD: What the Evidence Says

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Dr. Eva Lassey, PT, DPT reviewed the motor, sensory, and rehabilitation content in this article. · View full bio → · Last updated August 28, 2026 · How we write and who reviews it

Physical therapy is not a treatment for ADHD, and it has a role where motor coordination difficulties co-occur — which they do at substantial rates. Developmental coordination disorder is the most frequently co-occurring condition with ADHD, with overlap commonly reported around 50% and higher in clinical samples. A child with ADHD who is also clumsy, avoids sport, or struggles with handwriting and bike riding may have DCD alongside, and that's separately assessable and treatable. Physical activity supports attention, sleep, and mood generally, and is worth building into a child's day — but it isn't a substitute for the treatments with evidence behind them1.

Key takeaways

  • Physical therapy is not a treatment for ADHD. It has a role where motor coordination difficulties co-occur, and they do at substantial rates.
  • Developmental coordination disorder is the most frequently co-occurring condition with ADHD, with overlap commonly reported around 50% and higher in clinical samples.
  • Co-occurring DCD is the main reason a child with ADHD is referred to physical therapy.
  • The work covers gross motor coordination, balance and ball skills, participation in sport and physical play, and strength and endurance.
  • Motor difficulty in ADHD is easy to read as not trying, which is one reason it goes unassessed.
  • If motor coordination is not a difficulty for your child, physical therapy is probably not the right referral.

This page covers what physical therapy does for ADHD. For what ADHD is, how it is diagnosed, and the full range of support, see ADHD.

What PT addresses here

Co-occurring DCD — the main reason for referral. → DCD and dyspraxia

Gross motor coordination, balance, ball skills · participation in sport and physical play · strength and endurance

The co-occurrence point

DCD is the most frequently co-occurring condition with ADHD, and it's frequently missed because the ADHD gets the attention. A child described as clumsy alongside their ADHD may have a separate, diagnosable, treatable condition. Worth asking about.

On physical activity generally: it supports attention, sleep, and mood, and building movement into the day is worthwhile. It isn't ADHD treatment, and any provider presenting it as such is overclaiming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does exercise help ADHD?
Physical activity supports attention, sleep, and mood generally. It isn't a treatment and doesn't replace approaches with stronger evidence.
My child with ADHD is clumsy — is that related?
Possibly. Developmental coordination disorder is the most frequently co-occurring condition with ADHD, and it's separately assessable.
Does PT treat ADHD?
No. It addresses co-occurring motor difficulties.

Sources

  1. Wolraich ML, Hagan JF, Allan C, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528 (PMID 31570648)

Disclaimer. For general educational purposes; not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Speak to a qualified clinician about your child.