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Preschool children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: impairments in behavioral, social, and school
G J DuPaul1, K E McGoey, T L Eckert
1School Psychology Program, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
Insights
Preschool children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show more behavioral and social challenges. Their families also experience increased stress compared to children without ADHD.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Pediatric Behavioral Health
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder impacting children.
- Early identification and understanding of ADHD's effects in preschool years are crucial for intervention.
- Preschool-aged children represent a critical developmental window for assessing ADHD's multifaceted impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate functional differences in home, school, and medical domains.
- To compare preschool children diagnosed with ADHD against typically developing peers.
- To identify specific areas of difficulty for young children with ADHD.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 94 preschoolers (58 with ADHD, 36 controls) aged 3-5 years was assessed.
- Data collection involved parent/teacher ratings, stress/family functioning measures, medical data, behavioral observations, and preacademic testing.
- Utilized a multi-method approach to capture a comprehensive view of functioning.
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD displayed significantly more problem behaviors and lower social skills than controls.
- Parents of children with ADHD reported higher stress levels and less adaptive coping mechanisms.
- Children with ADHD exhibited increased noncompliance, negative social behaviors, and lower preacademic skills; no differences in medical issues were found.
Conclusions:
- Preschoolers with ADHD face substantial risks for behavioral, social, familial, and academic impairments.
- Early ADHD diagnosis is linked to significant challenges across multiple life domains.
- Targeted support for families and educational settings is vital for children with ADHD.
Objective:
To examine differences in home, school, and medical functioning between preschool-age children with attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and normal control children.
Method:
A sample of 94 children (58 with ADHD, 36 normal controls) between 3 and 5 years old participated. Dependent measures included parent and teacher ratings of problem behavior and social skills, parent ratings of stress and family functioning, medical functioning data, observations of parent-child interactions and classroom behavior, and a test of preacademic skills.
Results:
Young children with ADHD exhibited more problem behavior and were less socially skilled than their normal counterparts according to behavior ratings. Parents of children with ADHD experienced greater stress and were coping less adaptively than parents of non-ADHD children. Children with ADHD exhibited more noncompliant and inappropriate behavior than normal controls, particularly during task situations. Parents of children with ADHD were more likely to display negative behavior toward their children. Children with ADHD exhibited more negative social behavior in preschool settings and scored significantly lower on a test of preacademic skills. No significant differences in injuries or utilization of medical services were found.
Conclusions:
Preschool-age children with ADHD are at significant risk for behavioral, social, familial, and academic difficulties relative to their normal counterparts.
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