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Published on: June 12, 2020
Do attention deficits influence IQ assessment in children and adolescents with ADHD?
Jens Richardt M Jepsen1, Birgitte Fagerlund, Erik Lykke Mortensen
1Copenhagen University Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Center Bispebebjerg, Copenhagen NV, Denmark. jrj01@bbh.regionh.dk
Objective:
To characterize the relationship between IQ and attention deficits in children with ADHD and to estimate the inattention-related mean influence on IQ when children are tested before stimulant drug treatment has been initiated.
Method:
Studies of various methodologies are reviewed.
Results:
Correlation studies show mostly weak associations between IQ scores and attention deficits. Meta-analyses report the average short-term stimulant treatment effect on IQ in children with ADHD to be 2 to 7 IQ points.
Conclusion:
The associations between IQ and attention deficits in ADHD are generally modest, with the mean influence on IQ probably amounting to 2 to 5 IQ points. This may serve as a benchmark when clinicians interpret the validity of IQ in this clinical population.
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