The predictive validity of symptom criteria for different subtypes of ADHD among children who were impaired in at least one setting in early childhood was examined. Academic achievement was assessed seven times over 8 years in 125 children who met symptom criteria for ADHD at 4-6 years of age and in 130 demographically-matched non-referred comparison children. When intelligence and other confounds were controlled, children who met modified criteria for the predominantly inattentive subtype of ADHD in wave 1 had lower reading, spelling, and mathematics scores over time than both comparison children and children who met modified criteria for the other subtypes of ADHD. In some analyses, children who met modified criteria for the combined type had somewhat lower mathematics scores than comparison children. The robust academic deficits relative to intelligence in the inattentive group in this age range suggest either that inattention results in academic underachievement or that some children in the inattentive group have learning disabilities that cause secondary symptoms of inattention. Unexpectedly, wave 1 internalizing (anxiety and depression) symptoms independently predicted deficits in academic achievement controlling ADHD, intelligence, and other predictors.
KeywordsADHD; Academic achievement; learning disabilities; anxiety; depression; longitudinal outcomes One of the serious difficulties faced by youth who meet criteria for attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is poor academic achievement (DeShazo Barry, Lyman, & Grofer Klinger, 2002;DuPaul, McGoey, Eckert, & Vanbrakle, 2001;Faraone et al., 1993;Frick et al., 1991;Lonigan et al., 1999;McGee, Williams, Share, Anderson, & Silva, 1986;Rapport, Scanlan, & Denney, 1999;Zentall, Smith, Lee, & Wieczorek, 1994). Although academic difficulties are one of the primary justifications for treating ADHD, much remains to be learned about the nature of the academic deficits of children with ADHD. Four issues are particularly important in considering the current data base regarding the academic deficits of children and adolescent with ADHD.Address all correspondence to Greta Massetti, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA 30341; (770) 488-1349; Fax (770)
NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript
NIH-PA Author ManuscriptFirst, because children who meet criteria for ADHD have lower intelligence scores than the population mean on average (August & Garfinkel, 1990;Faraone et al., 1993;Frazier, Demaree, & Youngstrom, 2004;Szatmari, Offord, Siegel, Finlayson, & Tuff, 1990), and because intelligence is highly correlated with standardized measures of reading and mathematics (Vanderwood, McGrew, Flanagan, & Keith, 2001), it is necessary to take intelligence into account when studying the academic achievement of children with ADHD. Similarly, because children with ADHD tend to exhibit more symptoms of psychopathology than children without ADHD, and these other forms of psychopathology may be associated with aca...