Coco Gauff Questions Lack Of Privacy At Australian Open After Racket Smashing Made Public
Gauff opened the door for discussions on better privacy for players post-matches.
Amid the controversy surrounding her public racket-smashing, Coco Gauff is calling out the lack of privacy for players at the Australian Open.
After a heartbreaking defeat in the quarterfinals of the tournament, Gauff decided to let off steam in a physical way by hitting her rackets on the cement grounds several times. However, cameras can follow players anywhere outside the locker room, even during emotional moments. Given the openness, Gauff had no choice but to share the vulnerable moment with the world.
However, she would have preferred to let out her frustrations privately, even trying to find a hidden area in the Melbourne Parks to do so.
“I tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn’t a camera,” explained Gauff to reporters. “I don’t necessarily like breaking rackets.”
She also admitted that she would prefer not to showcase that part of the sport to younger fans. The 21-year-old athlete even called out the Australian Open broadcast for filming and airing the intimate moment.
“I kind of have a thing with the broadcast,” she said. “I feel like certain moments — the same thing happened to Aryna Sabalenka after I played her in the final of the U.S. Open — I feel like they don’t need to broadcast.”
Given their limited space for true solitude, the two-time Grand Slam winner wants to open the floor to discussion of privacy regulations for players.
“Maybe some conversations can be had,” added Gauff. “Because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.”
The incident has sparked debate over the airtime players face after matches, especially following difficult losses. Gauff has now raised concerns about whether this extra camera time strips players of their emotional safety. The tennis community has also taken note in light of her public concern.
While some viewed Gauff’s racket-smashing as a display of poor emotional control, one tennis legend came to her defense. After her husband, Gauff’s coach, defended the impassioned moment, Serena Williams also took to social media to console Gauff, offering her a private lesson on her signature serve.
Well said. @alexisohanian Passion. Caring. Matters. Nothing wrong with hating to lose. Now Coco when you want I can show you how to demolish in one swipe… Serena style 🙊 🤷🏾♀️ https://t.co/OR96AHS8dS
“Passion. Caring. Matters. Nothing wrong with hating to lose,” wrote Williams. “Now, Coco [Gauff], when you want, I can show you how to demolish in one swipe… Serena style.”
William Leonard Roberts, famously known as Rick Ross, has plenty to celebrate. The Mississippi-born, Miami-raised emcee slid onto the hip-hop scene in 2006, at age 30. In 2026, 20 years later, the rapper-turned-music-executive-turned-businessman is still sliding in the music industry but now touts a multimillion-dollar portfolio, representing his mixed bag of businesses. Rick Ross is still “Hustling.”
On Jan. 28, the “Teflon Don” turns 50 years old. In what appears to be a reflective moment, Ross posted on Instagram in the wee hours of the morning. Beneath a photograph of himself, he captioned: “On this day The Biggest Boss was born!!” and declared January 28th “National Hustlers holiday.”
“You look at 50 differently when you own the land you stand on. When I was 25, the dream was getting on. At 30, it was launching an empire. Now, at 50, the dream is infrastructure,” Ross told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
When asked what it feels like to be an accomplished businessman at this milestone, Ross shared that, “It feels like we just finished the framing, and now we’re finally ready to build the skyscraper. The first half of my life was about proving I could hustle; the next half is about proving I can scale. I’m not interested in being the best rapper in the room anymore; I’m interested in having the best portfolio in the hemisphere.”
Ross ventured into the tech industry as an angel investor for Jetdoc, and then there are his health and beauty, luggage, and automotive products, to name a few. Ross’s endeavors and maturity beg the question of what’s next for the middle-aged mogul.
“What’s next is aggressive expansion. We mastered the franchise game with the restaurants, we mastered the branding game with the spirits,” Ross told BE.
“Now, I’m looking at acquisitions that shift the culture. I’m looking at fintech, mass-scale agriculture, and real estate development that changes city skylines. I want to own the supply chain, not just the product.
“The accomplishment I’m still chasing is bigger than music; it’s institutional wealth. I want to reach a level of business where my companies run efficiently. That’s the difference between being a boss and being a tycoon.”
Ross continued:
“A boss dictates the move; a tycoon built the board on which the game is played.
“We are not just counting money anymore; we are counting equity, we are counting acres, and we are counting the centuries our name is going to remain on these buildings. The marathon continues, but we are running in a different tax bracket now.”
Ilhan Omar Rejects Intimidation After Being Targeted In Town Hall Assault
While her team could be heard urging her to go get checked out, the congresswoman was overheard saying “that’s what they want.”
Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is proof that Minnesota is built to fight after she continued her speech following being sprayed by an unknown substance during a Minneapolis town hall discussion.
Omar was speaking about her stance on the tragic instances that have taken place in the city and throughout the state at the hands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), taking the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. “ICE cannot be reformed, ICE cannot be rehabilitated. We must abolish ICE,” Omar said.
Shortly after, a man was seen standing up and approaching Omar at the podium, spraying her with an unknown substance.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) assaulted during town hall meeting: "Here's the reality that people like this ugly man don't understand; we are Minnesota strong and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us." pic.twitter.com/Ud5l3yP4lQ
Security and those standing behind her immediately came to her assistance. While her team could be heard urging her to go get checked out, the congresswoman was overheard saying, “That’s what they want.”
“Please don’t let them have the show,” the leader was heard saying.
“Here is the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand. We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they may throw at us.”
According to ABC News, the Minneapolis Police Department identified the suspect as 55-year-old Anthony James Kazmierczak, who was charged with third-degree assault.
Following the troubling incident, Omar told reporters that she won’t be intimidated by anyone as she is a survivor. “You know, I’ve survived more, and I’m definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think that they can throw at me because I’m built that way,” she said.
Before the Trump administration targeted Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis, Omar had been attacked by President Donald Trump, referring to her as a “fake sleazebag” and calling for her and other members of the Somali community to be thrown out of the U.S.
When asked for his thoughts on the attack, the president revealed he doesn’t have any, even blaming her for the attack. “I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud,” Trump said.
“She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”
The president may not believe her, but many supporters on social media were praising how she handled herself during the situation. One X user even pointed out how Omar approached the man after he was taken down by security, seemingly standing up for herself. “Can we talk about how Ilhan Omar was ready to throw hands with a man twice her size and then just got straight back to work?” @karlykingsley wrote.
“I wish I lived in Minnesota just so I could vote for her.”
Can we talk about how Ilhan Omar was ready to throw hands with a man twice her size and then just got straight back to work? I wish I lived in Minnesota just so I could vote for her.
Another pointed out how her survival makes her more American than most, especially Trump. “Ilhan Omar spent four years in a refugee camp and ended up becoming a Congresswoman,” @strandjunker said.
“She represents the best of America, while Donald Trump represents the worst.”
Metro Atlanta Leaders Urge Citizens To Stay Alert After ICE Agent Sightings
City leaders have yet to verify if the federal government directed ICE agents to Metro Atlanta.
City leaders in Metro Atlanta have warned citizens of potential ICE sightings around parts of the city.
Although it is unverified whether the immigration agents have been designated to Metro Atlanta, city officials in College Park, Georgia, want residents to stay alert. The area’s mayor and other elected officials have also called out the federal government’s lack of transparency about whether ICE agents are stationed in their area.
Despite the lack of verification, several reports have placed ICE agents in the city, particularly near the Georgia International Convention Center and surrounding neighborhoods, all located in the College Park area. According toFox 5, the increased sighting reports have led College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom to issue a statement.
“Like many of you, I’ve heard about the federal immigration enforcement presence in our area. I want to be clear: ICE is not operating out of the Georgia International Convention Center,” shared the mayor on her website.
However, Motley Broom has yet to receive word from any federal agency confirming the ICE sightings, but has encouraged citizens to remain vigilant amid safety concerns. As violent ICE raids that have even taken lives in Minnesota, many Georgians are especially hesitant to have these agents roam the streets.
Although Mayor Motley Broom could not verify the claims, other College Park City Council members have taken matters into their own hands to confirm the sightings.
Dr. Jamelle McKenzie, who represents Ward 1, validated claims that ICE is in Atlanta but not stationed at the convention center. Despite this, she still warned citizens to carry proper identification in case they are stopped. Vice-Mayor Joe Carn, on the other hand, has suggested that the agents have actually found their home base in College Park’s 5th district.
As the situation escalates with more sightings reported, officials urge those across Atlanta, regardless of citizenship status, to remain alert and carry necessary legal documents at all times during this period. News of ICE agents’ presence is especially alarming as the nation sees their impact in Minnesota. While immigration enforcement continues to occupy Minneapolis, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both American citizens, were killed in fatal shootings by ICE officers.
Of Pretti’s death, Mayor Motley Broom also issued a statement calling for clear protocols and justice. She also reminded her constituents that the loss in Minneapolis could happen anywhere, even in their Georgia city.
“We need to ensure that every community is safe, that protocols are clear, and that justice and accountability are paramount. This situation is a stark reminder that what happens in one part of our nation resonates everywhere. If it could happen in Minneapolis, it could happen in College Park.”
‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’ Exposes The ‘Monster’ Created By Tyra Banks
The forthcoming docuseries will revisit memorable and frequently commented on aspects of ANTM.
Netflix is dropping RealityCheck: Inside America’sNext Top Model, and the snippets are showing the dark side of the Tyra Banks creation.
The three-part documentary, peeling back the layers of the show, will premiere Feb. 16, giving an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the long-running model competition series America’s Next Top Model, which is drama- and tear-filled.
Netflix dropped a sneak peek trailer to promote the upcoming documentary. The exposé features interviews with key characters from the original show, including the creator and host of ANTM, Tyra Banks, and judges Jay Manuel, Miss J Alexander, and Nigel Barker. Additionally, former contestants are speaking up to share the horrors they endured on their quest to be the best.
The production aims to explore both the show’s cultural impact and its controversial moments from its 24-season run. Banks said her goal was to “fight against the fashion industry,” though it seems in many instances she acknowledges she’d “gone too far.”
Netflix describes Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model as an in-depth look at a program that became a global phenomenon with millions of viewers. The show was the first of its kind and shaped reality television history.
The forthcoming docuseries will revisit memorable and frequently commented-on aspects of ANTM. While visibility for unseen models was guaranteed, visibility for other, now frowned-upon, subjects, such as body-shaming, was also brought into the spotlight. The promotion of models maintaining a thin, nearly unhealthy aesthetic, as well as ethnic insensitivity, are only a few of the topics being broached. Contestants also spoke about on-the-fly medical procedures.
America’s Next Top Model originally aired from 2003 to 2018 and helped launch modeling careers while also drawing scrutiny for its competitive format and provocative challenges. The new Netflix docuseries is positioned as part of the streamer’s slate of documentary projects that revisit influential media properties with a fresh perspective.
Paul Tazewell, Emma Grede, JJ Johnson Among TIME 2026 Closers List
Released on Jan. 27, just ahead of Black History Month, the third annual list highlights 18 Black leaders from diverse fields who leverage their talents to drive positive change.
British businesswoman Emma Grede, Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell, and James Beard Award-winning Chef JJ Johnson are among TIME Magazine’s 2026 “Closers,” 18 Black leaders advancing greater equality.
Released on Jan. 27, just ahead of Black History Month, the third annual list highlights 18 Black leaders from diverse fields who leverage their talents to drive positive change.
This year’s honorees span social justice, business, sports, entertainment, and the arts, including Erin Jackson, Olympic champion speed skater; Abre’ Conner, director of the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice; and Marc Philpart, CEO of the Black Freedom Fund.
“Our annual Closers list launches just ahead of Black History Month,” TIME editors said. “We are proud to tell the stories of these 18 leaders who, despite ever-evolving challenges, remain determined to make change and to better the world we share.”
Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem
Here’s the full 2026 Closers List:
Abre’ Conner, director of the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice
Angela Doyinsola Aina, co-founder and executive director of Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Calvin Butler, CEO of Exelon
Danielle Deadwyler, actor and producer
Dara Eskridge, CEO of Invest STL
Darren Walker, philanthropist
Emma Grede, founder, entrepreneur, author, and host of Aspire with Emma Grede podcast
Erin Jackson, Olympic champion speed skater
Imani Perry, author and scholar
JJ Johnson, chef and advocate
Jamal Joseph, filmmaker and professor
Jennifer Eberhardt, social psychologist and Stanford professor
Karen Pittman, actor, producer, and activist
Marc Philpart, CEO of the Black Freedom Fund
Nneka Ogwumike, president of the WNBA players association
Paul Tazewell, Oscar-winning costume designer
Sarah Lewis, art historian and Harvard professor
The list highlights Black leaders across the U.S. committed to building a more equitable world.
Pittman uses her experience with food insecurity to advocate for those relying on government assistance. Ogwumike is fighting for a collective bargaining agreement to reward players as the WNBA grows. Together, these leaders drive innovative, community-focused initiatives at a time when equity initiatives have been challenged.
“We have to meet the moment,” Perry said. “We can still read the banned books, teach each other what needs to be taught, and maintain an imagination for a just society.”
A ceremony celebrating the 2026 Closers List will be held Feb. 12 in Atlanta.
Trinity Rodman Inks New Deal With Washington Spirit, Now Highest-Paid Female Soccer Player
Her deal deal is reportedly worth over $2 million annually.
Trinity Rodman has recently signed a new three-year contract with the Washington Spirit, making her the world’s highest-paid female soccer player. The Spirit announced the record-breaking contract.
Rodman will be with the franchise until 2028.
Breaking: Trinity Rodman has signed a new three-year contract with the Washington Spirit.
Rodman's new multi-million dollar deal makes her the highest paid women's soccer player in the world, according to her agent. pic.twitter.com/C35PLepAyN
ESPN reports that the deal is worth over $2 million annually, including bonuses. Rodman’s agent, Mike Senkowski of Upper 90 Sports Group, confirmed that she is now the highest-paid player in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) history.
The previous record was held after Rodman extended her rookie contract in 2022, signing a four-year contract with the Spirit worth more than $1.1 million. That happened after she led the team to the NWSL championship and was named the league’s rookie of the year.
“I’ve made the DMV my home and the Spirit my family, and I knew this was where I wanted to enter the next chapter of my career,” said Rodman in a written statement. “I’m proud of what we’ve built since my rookie season, and I’m excited about where this club is headed. We’re chasing championships and raising the standard, and I can’t wait to keep doing that with my teammates and the best fans in the NWSL.”
Rodman broke into professional sports as the second overall selection in the 2021 NWSL Draft. At 18, she was the youngest player ever drafted by a NWSL team.
“Trinity is a generational player, but more importantly, she represents the future of this club and the future of women’s soccer,” said Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit and founder of Kynisca. “This agreement reflects our belief that elite talent deserves elite commitment. At the Spirit, we are building something enduring: a club that competes for championships every year, invests in excellence, and creates an environment where world-class players can thrive long-term. Trinity choosing to continue her career in Washington is a powerful statement about what we are building here.”
Rodman, the youngest player in league history to reach 50 career goal contributions, is a two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin finalist and a 2024 NWSL MVP finalist. In less than five years with the Spirit, she holds the franchise’s all-time assists record. She is also a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) which won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
‘A Different World’ Reboot Hosts Casting Call For The Series’ HBCU Students
The original series ran from 1987 to 1993.
Netflix is holding an open casting call for background actors to appear in its upcoming sequel series to A Different World, the classic ’90s sitcom.
Set at the ficticous HBCU Hillman College, the Atlanta-based production posted the ad on ProjectCasting.com.
Applicants must be 18 or older and able to portray members of an HBCU campus community, including students, parents, or faculty, as background actors in scripted scenes. The posting says filming will take place in the Atlanta area. Actors will be paid for their work.
The listing encourages performers, particularly HBCU students and alumni, to bring authentic campus life to the series’ backdrop. No prior acting experience is required, though applicants are expected to be reliable, punctual, and professional during filming.
The production is part of Netflix’s intention to revive the ADifferent World universe. As opposed to the more common spin-off, the platform is blending returning legacy cast members with a new generation of characters.
Original stars such as Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison are reportedly reprising their roles. The sequel series will follow the next generation at Hillman College under creative leadership that includes Bel-Air showrunner Felicia Pride. Filming is scheduled to extend into mid-2026 in the Atlanta region.
A Different World ran on NBC from 1987 to 1993. The spin-off of The Cosby Show aired 144 episodes and introduced such talents as Guy, Hardison, Marisa Tomei, and Sinbad.
Known for its cluster of HBCUs, Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College, Spelman College, and Morehouse College, Atlanta is a prime location for the revival. The show will incorporate Black campus culture and stories grounded in Black youth experiences in higher education.
Homeownership data over time show that it was more common for young people to own homes in the past.
More young Americans are becoming homeowners—but don’t call it a comeback just yet. According to a new Redfin Real Estate analysis, the homeownership rate for Gen Zers and millennials rose from 2024 to 2025 as affordability and inventory improved slightly. More than one-quarter (27.1%) of Gen Zers nationwide owned their home in 2025, up from 26.1% a year earlier. Millennials also eked out a gain, with their homeowner rate rising to 55.4% from 54.9%.
The bump in homeownership for Gen Zers is meaningful but not explosive, and for millennials, it mostly reflects stability. While 20- and 30-somethings made up a bigger piece of the homebuying pie in 2025 than they did the year before, the gains were modest. Both generations are still, unfortunately, tracking behind their parents at the same age, with high housing costs and economic uncertainty continuing to stand in the way.
38% of the oldest Gen Zers own their home, compared to 43% of their parents at the same age
Homeownership data over time shows that it was more common for young people to own homes in the past.
Take 28-year-olds as an example: 38.3% of 28-year-old Gen Zers owned their home in 2025, compared to 42.5% of Gen Xers when they were 28 and 44.4% of baby boomers when they were 28.
57% of mid-30s Americans own their home, compared to 64% of their parents at the same age
Looking at millennials, 57.2% of 36-year-olds owned their home in 2025, compared with 61.2% of Gen Xers and 63.7% of baby boomers when they were 36.
The comparatively low share of young homeowners today stems mostly from a lack of affordability. But it’s also because young adults are reaching milestones later in life. For example, the average first-time mother in the U.S. is 27.5 as of 2023, up from 24.9 two decades ago, according to CDC data.
It’s worth noting that the oldest Gen Zers are making more progress than the younger ones. Just over 38% of 28-year-olds own their home, compared with 31.6% of 27-year-olds and 27.2% of 25-year-olds.
Why housing is still out of reach for many young buyers
Affordability improved slightly in 2025 compared with the year before, but high costs and economic uncertainty continued to act as a roadblock for many young Americans.
The weekly average mortgage rate fell from roughly 7% at the start of 2025 to about 6.2% by year’s end, and home-price growth slowed. As a result, monthly housing costs dipped to their lowest level in two years, and rising wages helped some young people finally break into the market.
Still, housing remains far from affordable. Mortgage rates are still more than double their pandemic-era lows, home prices remain historically high, and buyers still need to earn $112,000 to afford the median-priced U.S. home—roughly $25,000 more than the median U.S. income. Because young people are less likely to already own a home and use equity to trade up, high costs remain a bigger barrier for them than for older buyers.
Economic uncertainty has also caused many young Americans to delay homebuying plans, with concerns about job security and tariffs putting major purchases on hold.
Age plays a role, too. Gen Zers and millennials turned one year older in 2025, aging further into homeownership. Older Gen Zers and millennials are in their peak homebuying years as they grow their careers, earn more money, pay down student debt, and feel ready to trade rent for a mortgage. But many others—especially younger Gen Zers—haven’t reached their peak earning years, haven’t had time to save for a down payment, and don’t yet have the funds for homeownership.
“The reality is that with housing costs still historically high, many young Americans are making compromises on location, size, or timing to get their foot in the homeownership door and start building equity,” said Asad Khan, a senior economist at Redfin. “Gen Zers and millennials are making small gains in homeownership because they’re eager to buy, they’re making sacrifices, and because affordability has improved a bit at the margins—not because homes suddenly became affordable. We expect the slow progress to continue this year, with housing costs dipping slightly while wages rise.”
Homeownership for older generations is holding steady
For older generations, homeownership remains high and relatively stable.
Just under three-quarters (72.7%) of Gen Xers owned their home in 2025, essentially unchanged from 72.9% a year earlier. For baby boomers, the rate was 79.9%, compared with 79.6% a year earlier.
Higher homeownership rates for older generations are to be expected, as they have had longer to amass money to buy homes, and many older Americans found it easier to buy homes because costs were lower in past decades.
20-somethings still took up a bigger piece of the homebuying pie in 2025
Buyers ages 19-29 purchased 18.5% of all homes sold in the U.S. in 2025, up from 14.4% the year before. Buyers ages 30-39 made up the largest share of home purchases, buying 26% of homes, up from 25% a year earlier.
Despite affordability strains, more people in their 20s are finding ways to buy despite high prices and mortgage rates—often by purchasing smaller homes, moving to more affordable metros, or leaning on family help. And it stands to reason that 30-39 year olds are buying more homes than any other age group, as they’re in their prime buying years, moving for new jobs, new relationships, new babies, or new adventures.
Meanwhile, older Americans are making up a smaller share of buyers. People aged 60 and older bought 23% of homes in 2025, down from 30% the year before.
Methodology
Data was calculated using the Current Population Survey’s Annual Social and Economic Supplement, from 1976 to 2025, and monthly IPUMS CPS data for 2025 through August. The data was accessed using IPUMS-CPS*. The homeownership rate is defined as the percentage of household heads who own a home versus rent, broken down by generation. Note that people who are living with their parents or other family members are not included in the calculation for their generation.
Gen Zers were 13-28 years old in 2025 (born 1997-2012); only adult Gen Zers (19-27 years old) were included in this analysis. Millennials were 29-44 (born 1981-1996) in 2025, Gen Xers were 45-60 (born 1965-1980), and baby boomers were 61-79 (born 1946-1964).
For the section on home purchases by generation, please note that the word “purchase” refers to the number of household heads who reported moving to a new home in the past year and owning their new home, by age group. While the vast majority of those moves are the result of a home purchase, some are the result of an inheritance or other property transfer.
New Review Of Studies Finds Children With ADHD Are More Likely To Struggle With Motor Skills
Understood shares what you need to know and how you can help your child.
ADHD is typically associated with symptoms like impulsivity, hyperactivity, and trouble with focus. But a recent review of studies strengthens our understanding that kids with ADHD may also struggle with motor skills. These are the skills that let people move, control, and coordinate movements in the body.
Understood shares what you need to know and how you can help your child.
What the study found
This review of studies was published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders in September. It reviewed 25 studies that included kids with ADHD and kids without.
Combined, the 25 studies included over 2,000 children between the ages of 5 and 14 years. Almost half of the children had ADHD, and the rest did not. It’s the first time a review compared motor skills in kids with ADHD and neurotypical children. This comparison allows us to better understand the unmet needs of kids with ADHD.
When researchers reviewed all the studies, they found that children with ADHD were more likely to have lower motor competence than their neurotypical peers. Motor competence is the ability to perform different motor skills effectively and efficiently.
The researchers found that kids with ADHD had a particularly hard time with certain motor skills. These included:
Fine motor control:Fine motor skills involve using the hands and fingers to make small movements.
Manual dexterity: Manual dexterity is a type of fine motor skill used for gripping and moving objects with your hands.
Manual coordination: Similarly, manual coordination is the ability to use the hands and fingers effectively, along with hand-eye coordination.
Body coordination: Body coordination includes gross motor skills like running and jumping. It also includes balance, hand-eye coordination, and being able to use both sides of the body together.
Locomotor skills: These skills allow you to move your body from place to place, such as running, jumping, or leaping.
Throwing and catching: The ability to throw and catch involves hand-eye coordination and other motor skills.
The researchers suggest that difficulties with these skills may be due in part to issues with motor planning. Motor planning is a skill that requires coordinating all the steps it takes to complete a physical task. Motor planning and coordination require executive function to complete. Executive function is the brain’s ability to plan, focus, remember instructions, and manage tasks to reach goals. These skills are frequently affected by ADHD.
Other research has come to similar conclusions. Researchers estimate that up to 50% of children with ADHD have problems with motor skills.
The study’s limitations
This review adds new information to our understanding of motor skill issues in kids with ADHD. But it’s important to keep in mind that it does have limitations.
First, the 25 studies in this review were not representative of the full ADHD community. For example, the studies reviewed included more boys than girls. ADHD shows up differently in girls than in boys. The same may be true of motor skill issues, especially because boys and girls have different bodies and genetics. Boys are also more likely to be encouraged to play sports compared to girls.
Not all of the studies in this review measured motor competence in the same way. The researchers accounted for this by grouping studies that used the same tests together. But it does make it more difficult to compare results and draw conclusions.
Many studies in this review also didn’t consider other factors that might explain why kids with ADHD struggle with their motor skills. For example, the studies didn’t take into account whether kids had dysgraphia, which makes handwriting difficult. Without taking these variables into account, the researchers may end up with false conclusions.
Why are these results important
Motor difficulties can have a significant impact on kids with ADHD. The researchers in this review highlighted that children with ADHD are less likely to be physically active compared to their neurotypical peers. This is likely due in part to problems with motor skills.
Physical activity matters for overall health. But physical activity also helps improve other ADHD symptoms. It makes it easier to pay attention, resist distractions, and adapt your thinking. Motor skill development is also tied to cognitive development. Motor competence, coordination, and planning all support executive functioning and attention span.
Motor competence also matters for academic performance. Being able to hold a pencil and write legibly can affect how well a child does at school.
Kids who struggle with skills like throwing, catching, jumping, and running may have a hard time keeping up in sports or other physical activities. They may end up being left out or feeling as if they are. This can lead to less physical activity and missed opportunities for social connection.
How to help kids with ADHD develop their motor skills
If your child struggles with their motor skills, there are things you can do to help.
1. Have your child’s motor skills tested.
Consider getting your child’s motor skills assessed. Motor skills can help improve your child’s development and well-being. It’s especially helpful to work on these skills early. We know that problems with motor skills can continue into adulthood.
2. Get your child moving.
Encourage your child to exercise. You can try activities like swimming or bike riding, which will help with balance and coordination. These types of exercises target gross motor skills, which help build the foundation for developing fine motor skills as well.
3. Consider medication.
Talk to your child’s doctor about medication for ADHD. Research suggests that kids with ADHD who take stimulants may experience improvements in their motor skills, as well as their other symptoms.
4. Talk to an occupational or physical therapist.
An occupational therapist can help your child work on their motor skills to complete tasks like:
Handwriting
Tying shoes
Cutting with scissors
Fastening clothing
A physical therapist can also help your child with larger movements, like balance and jumping.
With the right support, it is possible to improve your child’s motor skills.
Summary
Kids with ADHD may be about 12 times more likely than other kids to have trouble with motor skills. Researchers found that kids with ADHD often have challenges with fine motor control, dexterity, coordination, and balance. This may be caused by differences in motor planning and executive function. The findings show how important it is to check the motor skills development of kids with ADHD. Early interventions, like physical activity, occupational therapy, and medication, may help improve motor skills and development.
