QPSBA: Moving Minds: Why Learners Pace, Fidget, and Look Away to Focus

"I'm Not Distracted — I'm Focusing"

When I’m doing math homework or trying to concentrate, one of the things I’ll often do is pace or move my hands. I rub my fingers or gesture as I work through problems — and these movements genuinely help me focus. My eyes may shift off to the side. I may not make eye contact when I talk. But I’m not being rude. In fact, if I try too hard to look someone in the eye while they speak, my brain has to work so hard to maintain that eye contact that I can’t fully engage with what they’re saying.

These behaviors — pacing, finger-rubbing, gaze aversion — are how I anchor myself when I need to think. And I’m not alone. Many students do the same, whether they’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, dyscalculia, or another learning difference or not!

What the Research Says About Movement and Focus

Science backs this up. Several recent studies support what many neurodivergent people already know from lived experience:

• Fidgeting may improve focus. A recent study found that adults with ADHD fidgeted more during correct responses on attention tasks, suggesting that fidgeting supports cognitive control and sustained focus (van Schie et al., 2024).
  

• Movement during learning tasks improves outcomes. In an experiment where students with ADHD used desk-cycles during math tasks, those allowed to move showed better performance and increased blood flow to the brain’s prefrontal cortex — the area linked to working memory and attention (Western University, 2024).
  

• Fidgeting is associated with better attention. The UC Davis MIND Institute reported that fidgeting can help people with ADHD stay engaged, particularly when tasks are long or mentally taxing (UC Davis Health, 2024).
  

These findings suggest that movement is not a barrier to focus. It can be a tool — especially when it’s self-regulated, purposeful, and adapted to the task.

Why Eye Contact Can Be Overwhelming

The pressure to make eye contact — especially in neurotypical social norms — can place an added cognitive load on neurodivergent learners. For many, maintaining eye contact requires so much mental energy that it detracts from processing language or ideas. Looking away isn’t disinterest. It’s strategy. And sometimes, it’s survival.

Not All Movement Helps — But Personalized Strategies Do

It’s important to note: not all movement helps every learner. Some studies have shown that unstructured or overly stimulating fidget tools can distract more than help. What works best are:

• Subtle, repetitive, self-regulated movements (like finger tapping, rocking, or quiet pacing)

• Movement breaks during work sessions

• Tools or strategies tailored to the learner’s preferences and needs

Bottom Line for Parents and Educators

When you see a child pacing, rubbing their hands, or looking away while working, consider what their body is doing for their brain. These may be regulation strategies — not signs of disengagement.

Instead of asking, "Can you sit still and focus?" we might ask, "What helps your brain focus best?"

Let’s create environments where movement is allowed, respected, and understood — so neurodivergent learners can show up as their full selves.

References

UC Davis Health. (2024). Does fidgeting help people with ADHD focus? https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/does-fidgeting-help-people-with-adhd-focus-/2024/10

van Schie, C. C., et al. (2024). Fidgeting and cognitive performance in adults with ADHD: Evidence from continuous performance tasks. Psychiatry Research, 330, 115527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115527

Western University. (2024). Movement helps ADHD students stay focused on math, brain scans show. https://news.westernu.ca/2024/08/movement-helps-adhd/

SSM Health. (2023). Why ADHD and fidgeting go hand in hand. https://www.ssmhealth.com/newsroom/blogs/ssm-health-matters/september2023/adhd-and-fidgets

About the Author

Sharronda Smith of Enrichology Tutoring understands neurodivergent learners because she is one. As someone with ADHD who often paces, stims, and looks away while thinking, she knows firsthand how the brain uses movement to regulate. With a background in teaching high school science and a passion for inclusive education, she helps students find the learning strategies that work best for their minds and bodies.

Ready to help your neurodivergent child thrive in math? Contact Sharronda to learn how movement-friendly, brain-based tutoring can support your child.