Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with persistent levels of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity. Recommendations for ADHD diagnosis involve: six or more symptoms (or five considering adults), early childhood onset, presence of symptoms in two or more contexts and presence of functional impairment. Cognitive deficits, that affect inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility and impulsiveness, are present in ADHD and affect the course of the disorder. On the other hand, intellectual skill is a factor of protection to improve the development in people with ADHD.  This article explores how traits relate to functional impairments are relevant to ADHD description in terms of behavioral expression of the cognitive profile. Method: Forty-nine adults, between 20 and 68 years old, with symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity compatible with ADHD, with more than 4 years of schooling and absence of chronic illness, took part of this study. We collected data using screening instruments (ASRS-18, MMSE, and WASI) and main instruments (FDT, BIS-11, and EPF-ADHD). Results: The results have shown that higher intellectual indexes were associated with lower frequencies of academic impairment, while higher impulsivity levels, cognitive flexibility difficulties and inhibitory control, were associated with academic and social impairment. Conclusion: The results show that cognitive deficits were associated to impairment, in different life areas, of people with ADHD, and that some factors, as intellectual abilities, may prevent impairment in ADHD.

IntroductionAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which begins in childhood and often persists into adulthood. ADHD has a heterogeneous expression with diversity in behavioral symptoms, cognitive deficits, and comorbidities. So, it is possible to consider it a spectrum with different losses.ObjectivesTo describe clusters of multiple neuropsychological, attentional, and behavioral measures in adults with symptoms of ADHD. It could help to seek new directions to examine heterogeneity from a dimensional approach to ADHD.Methods120 adults between 18 and 52 years old (m= 29.5) with ADHD symptoms participated in this study. Performance indices on computerized neuropsychological tests of attention (voluntary, automatic, temporal, and sustained), behavioral self-report scales for ADHD (ASRS-18), impulsivity (BIS-11) executive dysfunction (BDEFS), and functionality, emotional and behavioral problems (Adult Self-Report - ASR of ASEBA) were analyzed. Cluster analysis processed the data to find subgroups based on the scores of instruments. The NbClust tested the best number of clusters that converge to a solution.ResultsThe 3 clusters solution was obtained by comparing Z scores for each indicator. In cluster 1, the ADHD symptoms were equivalent but expressed more hyperactivity than in other clusters. Also, higher levels of functional impairments and executive dysfunctions (motivation, emotional regulation, and anxiety/depression) were identified. In the attentional neuropsychological tasks, the indices express a lower level. Cluster 2 expressed a higher level of inattention and attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsivity, and functional impairments in the academic, professional, and legal risk areas. Cluster 3 was the subgroup with the lowest level of symptoms of ADHD.ConclusionsThis study identified differences in performances that contribute to understanding the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional expressions of ADHD. Three groups of different prejudices levels should be considered in the development of evaluative models in new studies to consider the spectrum of ADHD.Financial support: FAPESP [grant 2019/20757-5, 2019/21773-4, 2020/14800-2]; CAPES Proex [grant 0426/2021, 23038.006837/2021-73]; Mackpesquisa; CNPq [grant 307443/2019-1]Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Atua como psicóloga clínica, consultora em suportes psicoeducativos e inclusivos, principalmente comunicação alternativa.

IntroductionComorbidities between Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders or Somatic Symptoms, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can cause variability in the functional impairments faced by young adults. Knowing the possible configurations resulting from these comorbidities is important for a better understanding of the cases, diagnostic processes, and proposed treatments.ObjectivesTo verify associations between indicators of the aforementioned mental disorders, and symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity, and functional impairments in different areas of life, related to ADHD.MethodsThere were 27 participants (23 women, age m = 22.5 sd = 1.8, education m = 15.7 sd = 2.2), with complaints of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity compatible with ADHD, screened with ASRS-18 score> 24 and WASI IQ> 79, and assessed by DIVA-2.0 (symptoms of ADHD), ASR-ASEBA (depressive, anxiety and somatic problems), EPF-ADHD (functional impairments in the academic, professional, affective, domestic, social, health, financial, traffic areas and legal risk). Spearman’s Correlation analysis was performed in the SPSS program (significance p <0.05).ResultsIncrease in depressive problems associated with increased symptoms of inattention (rho=0.386, p=0.049) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (rho = 0.406, p = 0.036). Increased somatic problems associated with increased functional impairment in health (rho=0.458, p=0.016). Increase in depressive problems associated with increased losses in the academic (rho=0.437, p=0.023), affective (rho=0.408, p=0.034), domestic (rho=0.550, p=0.002), social (rho=0.445, p=0.002), financial (rho=0.389, p=0.045) and health (rho=0.514, p=0.006).ConclusionsADHD with comorbidities can have a peculiar clinical evolution with specific characteristics, including diagnosis, management, and response to treatment. These subgroups with different intervention needs demand outlining needs and personalized treatment.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Atua como psicóloga clínica, consultora em suportes psicoeducativos e inclusivos, principalmente comunicação alternativa.