Kids Need a Dominant Hand

Occupational therapists have long known the benefits of a child developing hand dominance. A new study published in Pediatrics reports on children with mixed handedness. A longitudinal study was performed in Northern Finland on 7871 children ages 7 and 8 and then 16 years old. The results indicated that children with mixed handedness are at a two fold greater risk for language, academic, mental health issues and ADHD symptoms. The authors conclude that mixed handedness could be a sign that a child is at risk for these problems.

Do you see a higher rate of these symptoms in mixed handed children?

Reference: Rodriguez, Alina, Kaakinen, Marika, Moilanen, Irma, Taanila, Anja, McGough, James J., Loo, Sandra, Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta Mixed-Handedness Is Linked to Mental Health Problems in Children and Adolescents Pediatrics 2010 125: e340-e348