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Published on: June 12, 2020
ADHD symptoms in children with mild intellectual disability
Emily Simonoff1, Andrew Pickles1, Nicky Wood1
1Dr. Simonoff and Ms. Wood are with the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London; Dr. Pickles is with the Biostatistics Group, Division of Epidemiology and Health Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Dr. Gringras is with Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals NHS Trust, London; and Dr. Chadwick is with the Department of Psychology, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London.
Summary
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are more common in individuals with mild intellectual disability (ID). This increase is not due to other behavioral issues or cognitive problems.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Child Psychology
- Intellectual Disability Research
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Intellectual disability (ID) affects cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviors.
- The relationship between ADHD symptoms and ID requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare ADHD symptom profiles and correlates in adolescents with mild ID versus average ability.
- To investigate the influence of IQ on ADHD symptom presentation.
- To examine comorbidities and academic attainments in relation to ADHD and ID.
Main Methods:
- A subsample of 192 adolescents (12-15 years) with and without mild ID was selected from a larger population sample.
- ADHD symptoms, emotional/behavioral problems, IQ, social communication, and academic attainments were assessed.
- Validated questionnaires and tests including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and WISC-III-UK were utilized.
Main Results:
- A significant negative linear relationship was observed between ADHD symptoms and IQ.
- The presence of ID did not alter ADHD symptom profiles or comorbidity with other behavioral issues.
- Academic attainment differences between groups became non-significant when IQ was statistically controlled.
Conclusions:
- ADHD symptoms are elevated in individuals with mild ID.
- This elevation is not attributable to rater bias, other emotional/behavioral problems, or confounding cognitive factors.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering ADHD in individuals with ID.
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01:29Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
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01:25Learning Disabilities
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