Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and working memory in clinically referred adults

A current theory of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) implicates a dysfunction in working memory as a significant factor in ADHD. The Working Memory Indexes of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Third Edition (WAIS-III; The Psychological Corporation, 1997a) and the Wechsler Memory Scale--Third Edition (WMS-III; The Psychological Corp -oration, 1997b) were used to evaluate this theory. Seventy adults clinically diagnosed with ADHD (mean age = 25) and who were previously administered the WAIS-III and WMS-III were reviewed to determine the association between working memory and ADHD symptomology. The respondent was asked to estimate the frequency of occurrence of ADHD symptoms by completing the Brown ADD Scales (Brown, 1996). Results indicated no significant relationship between working memory and self-reported symptoms, although the Working Memory Indexes of the WAIS-III and the WMS-III were significantly correlated. Implications for current ADHD theory and suggestions for future research were discussed.