Do You Know Where Your Body Is?

Do You Know Where Your Body Is?

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Must be a trick question, right?

Of course you know where your body is. It’s right there, with you.

That’s not quite the case, though.

You see, people with ADHD have poor spatial awareness; they have trouble understanding how their body fits into their environment.

Have you ever seen a teenager who has suddenly experienced a growth spurt? They’re awkward and don’t quite know how to move. They don’t realize that they are as tall or as big as they have suddenly become.

That’s what it’s like for those of us with ADHD.

How many times have you bumped into a doorframe or a corner of the wall?

My daughter has often said – and it’s true – that she could flunk a field sobriety test stone cold sober because we are so awkward. Sometimes even our balance seems a little off.

Do You Know Where Your Body Is?

See that ugly picture?

First of all, I apologize for making you look at it.

And I’m sorry you can see my wrinkles. 🙁

If you haven’t noticed, I have a black eye. A black eye with makeup on it feebly trying to pretend it isn’t there. A friend suggested adding purple eye shadow to my other eye to make it look more “natural”.

It didn’t work.

I can only imagine what people thought.

Anyway, I got the black eye on Monday night.

I had on a new pair of pajamas that were just a little too long for me. I got up to go into the next room, stepped on the hem of my pants, and hit the door frame.

Now I’m blaming the pajama pants, but the fact that I have no grace or spatial awareness certainly played a part as well.

Have you always thought you were clumsy?

Have unexplained bruises a lot?

Really stink at certain sports because you don’t have the coordination?

Do people compare your dancing ability to that of Carleton from Fresh Prince?

Blame it on your ADHD.

Really. It’s a thing.

So is there anything that you can do to improve your spatial awareness skills?

I’m not certain, but I think that practices like karate and Tai Chi might work. Possibly ballroom dancing if you’re fond of torturing yourself. Maybe even yoga or pilates.

All worth a try.

And if you find something that works, be sure to let me know.

My other eye already has a scar from the last time I met a door frame.

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle is the writer of Lacyestelle.com and the Podcast host for An ADD Woman.

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2 Responses

  1. My 8 year old son (who has ADHD) has definite signs of not always knowing where his body is… lately, I’ve noticed it at swimming lessons as he has a hard time jumping in the pool without doing a belly flop… very interesting post!