Washington, January 27: Children writing with both hands are more likely to struggle in school and be diagnosed with hyperactivity disorder, a new study finds.
In individuals naturally gravitated toward using their right hand, the left hemisphere of the brain, the center for language, is more dominant. In mixed-handed individuals, conversely, it is less clear that one side of the brain is more dominant over the other.
Previous studies had linked being mixed-handed or ambidextrous with dyslexia, a learning disorder characterized by difficulty reading, spelling and solving mathematical problems in some cases.
According to the study published in Pediatrics, ambidextrous children are at a doubled risk of developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
They are also twice as likely to have difficulty with language and to perform poorly in school.
“Mixed-handedness, particularly in the presence of difficulties, could aid in the recognition of children who are at risk,” concluded lead researcher Alina Rodriguez, stressing that not every mixed-handed child should be considered to have problems at school or develop ADHD.
—Agencies