Ambidextrousness - why mixed hands are a mixed blessing in the classroom

Ambidextrous children are more likely to have mental-health, language and schoolwork problems than those who are left- or right-handed. One would have thought being able to use both hands equally well would be an advantage but a study of 7,871 children from Northern Finland by a team of researchers led by Alina Rodriguez from Imperial College London suggests otherwise. The team used questionnaires to assess the children at 7/8 and and 15/16. 87 of the children were ambidextrous and at 7/8 these children were twice as likely as their right-handed peers to have difficulties with languages or to perform poorly in school. At the age of 15/16 they were at twice the risk of showing symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and more likely to have severe symptoms.

You can find out more about this research at

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100125094511.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29&utm_content=Google+Reader