Unlocking Learning Potential: The Impact of Movement Therapy on ADHD, Autism, and Reading Challenges

At Learning DNA, we specialise in movement-based interventions that support children and young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and reading difficulties. Groundbreaking research from some of the world’s leading universities confirms that movement therapy fosters neurological change, leading to significant improvements in learning, attention, and behaviour.

The Science Behind Movement and Brain Development

The brain and body work together to build strong foundations for learning. When children and young people engage in specific, structured movement activities, they stimulate key areas of the brain responsible for sensory processing, motor co-ordination, and cognitive function. Research from Stanford University has demonstrated that movement-based therapies, particularly those involving rhythm and balance exercises, enhance neural plasticity. The brain’s ability to form and reorganise synaptic connections leads to improved cognitive flexibility, working memory, and motor co-ordination (Chaddock-Heyman et al., 2014).

One of the primary mechanisms behind movement therapy is its role in integrating retained primitive reflexes — automatic motor responses that develop in utero and during infancy. If these reflexes are not fully integrated, they can interfere with motor control, attention, emotional regulation, and learning. Research from Oxford University has found a strong correlation between retained reflexes and learning difficulties, particularly in relation to reading and co-ordination (Stein & Fowler, 2015). By engaging in structured movement programmes, children can integrate these reflexes, improving their balance, co-ordination, postural control, and ultimately their learning potential.

How Movement Therapy Supports ADHD

Children and young people with ADHD often struggle with impulse control, sustained attention, and executive functioning — skills regulated by the prefrontal cortex. Research from Harvard Medical School has shown that physical exercise significantly increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters responsible for attention and impulse control (Ratey & Hagerman, 2008). By improving communication between the prefrontal cortex and other brain regions, movement therapy enhances self-regulation, focus, and cognitive processing speed.

Studies have also demonstrated that rhythmic movement interventions can improve proprioception (awareness of body position), vestibular function (balance and spatial orientation), and cerebellar activity (motor planning). A review from University College London (UCL) found that children with ADHD who engaged in movement-based interventions showed greater improvements in focus, impulse control, and academic performance compared to those receiving only traditional behavioural therapies (Gowen et al., 2020).

Key Benefits for ADHD:

• Improved focus and attention span

• Enhanced impulse control and self-regulation

• Greater ability to follow instructions and complete tasks

• Reduced hyperactivity and restlessness

How Movement Therapy Supports Autism

Many children with autism experience challenges with sensory processing — their ability to interpret and respond appropriately to sensory input. Movement therapy supports sensory integration, strengthening neural pathways between the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and prefrontal cortex. A study conducted at UCL’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience found that structured movement therapy significantly improved sensorimotor regulation in children with autism, leading to better coordination, reduced sensory overload, and improved emotional regulation (Gowen et al., 2020).

In addition, Stanford University has found that targeted rhythmic movement exercises enhance motor skills and proprioception in autistic children, helping them better engage with their surroundings and reducing anxiety-related behaviours (Chaddock-Heyman et al., 2014).

Key Benefits for Autism:

• Increased sensory processing efficiency

• Improved co-ordination and motor skills

• Reduced sensory hypersensitivity

• Enhanced emotional regulation and anxiety reduction

How Movement Therapy Improves Reading Difficulties

Many children and young people with reading challenges struggle with eye-tracking and convergence insufficiency — where the eyes fail to move smoothly and work together efficiently. Research from Cambridge University found that children with reading difficulties often exhibit unstable eye-tracking patterns, which contribute to struggles with fluency and comprehension (Wilmer & Blais, 2019).

Movement therapy strengthens the vestibular system, responsible for balance and spatial awareness, which is closely linked to eye movement control. By using targeted exercises that involve controlled head and body movements, children can improve their ability to track text on a page, sustain visual attention, and process written information more effectively. Oxford University’s Dyslexia Research Centre also highlights that primitive reflex integration plays a key role in developing smooth and efficient eye movement control, which is essential for reading (Stein & Fowler, 2015).

Key Benefits for Reading Challenges:

• Improved eye-tracking and visual stability

• Enhanced ability to focus on written text for extended periods

• Reduced letter and word reversals

• Increased reading fluency and comprehension

Founder’s Insight

"At Learning DNA, we see remarkable progress in our young clients every single day. Our parents regularly tell us that they can see the difference in their child's movement within a matter of weeks through our programme. We are really proud of the fact that at Learning DNA we have managed to combine a traditional approach with innovative AI-based software, which means we are able to deliver significant results for our clients through our proprietary Movement Therapy Programme. Whether working remotely or in person, we are privileged to observe how quickly targeted movement therapy helps children improve their focus, sensory processing, and reading skills. By identifying and addressing the root causes of their difficulties, we empower them to reach their full potential."
— Lizzie Shearing, Founder of Learning DNA

Empower Your Child’s Learning Journey

If your child is experiencing challenges with attention, learning, or sensory processing, movement therapy could be the missing link. At Learning DNA, our evidence-based programs are designed to unlock potential, helping children and young people build the foundations for lifelong learning success.

Contact us today to book a consultation and explore how our movement-based interventions can support your child’s development. Alternatively you can call us directly on 0121 314 0703 to learn more.

Scientific References

• Chaddock-Heyman, L., Hillman, C.H., Cohen, N.J., & Kramer, A.F. (2014). The effects of physical activity on neurocognitive function in children: A Stanford Neuroscience study. Stanford University.

• Gowen, E., Asoni, D., & Poliakoff, E. (2020). Sensorimotor processing in autism spectrum conditions. UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience.

• Ratey, J.J., & Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. Harvard University Press.

• Stein, J., & Fowler, M. (2015). The role of motor function in reading disabilities: Evidence from Oxford Dyslexia Research Centre. Oxford University.

• Wilmer, J.B., & Blais, B. (2019). Eye movement control in reading: Implications for dyslexia interventions. Cambridge Neuroscience.