Believe it or not, your backside might reveal a thing or two about your brain.
Neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD often share symptoms, including challenges with social situations, staying focused and managing emotions.
But research suggests there could be a surprising clue hiding in your rear view: a prominent tush.
This usually isn’t about genetics or body shape. Instead, it’s often linked to a common postural issue called an anterior pelvic tilt.
With this condition, the front of the pelvis tilts forward instead of staying neutral, causing the lower back to curve inward more than normal.
The result? A belly that sticks out and glutes that protrude, creating what some people call a “duck butt.”
While anyone can have an anterior pelvic tilt, it’s common in children with autism or ADHD.
Across the US, an estimated 1 in 31 children aged 8 and older has been diagnosed with autism, a wide-ranging condition affecting learning, behavior, communication and social interaction.
In 2022, about 1 in 9 US children aged 3 to 17 had at some point received a diagnosis of ADHD, a developmental disorder that impacts attention, focus, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
One reason these kids tend to develop anterior pelvic tilt is because they often have low muscle tone, which can leave the core and glutes too weak to keep the pelvis properly aligned.
Sitting for long periods or repeating movements like toe walking can also tighten their hip flexors and lower back, pushing the pelvis even further out of position.
On top of that, many children with autism or ADHD struggle with balance, coordination and body awareness, making it even harder to maintain proper posture while standing or moving.
Taken together, these challenges can lead to a range of postural differences, including a forward‑jutting head, rounded shoulders and a tilted pelvis.
In one study, researchers used 3D motion analysis to compare walking patterns and found that school-aged children with autism tended to walk with a more forward-tilted pelvis than their typically developing peers.
These children also didn’t push off with their ankles as strongly when walking, and their hips were bent more forward than usual.
In another study, researchers found that boys with ADHD had an anterior pelvic angle that was, on average, 4.5 degrees higher than children without the condition.
“Our results suggest that anterior pelvic angle represents a specific gait variable related to ADHD symptoms,” the authors wrote.
While an anterior pelvic tilt isn’t a problem for everyone, it can sometimes cause pain in the lower back, hips and knees. It can also affect movement, including balance and speed.
The good news is that exercises that stretch the hip flexors and strengthen the glutes, hamstrings and core — such as bridges, planks, leg lifts and wall sits — can help keep the pelvis properly aligned.
Experts say that working with a physical or occupational therapist can help make these exercises fun for children with autism or ADHD, while also tailoring them to their specific needs, such as sensory sensitivities.
