3rd February 2010 9:00
By Blue Tutors
A recent study has reported that ambidextrous children are more likely to do badly at school, and suffer from ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) than their right-handed colleagues.
Researchers at Imperial College, London tested nearly 8000 children’s language, behaviour and general academic skills at age 7, and again 8 years later. Each child was assessed by their teacher, and it was decided whether they were below average compared to their classmates. The results showed that ambidextrous children were twice as likely to suffer language problems and perform badly at school when aged 7. By age 15 they were twice as likely to suffer from ADHD, and had continued language problems.
There is a suggestion that the right hemisphere of ambidextrous people’s brains is less developed than someone who is right-handed, and that is the cause of the problems with attention. However, Dr. Alina Rodriguez, who led the study said “We think there are differences in the brain that might explain these difficulties, but there needs to be more research.”