Abstract
BackgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined as a cognitive or behavioural developmental disorder. Inattentiveness, overactivity and impulsivity are regarded as the main clinical symptoms of ADHD. These symptoms may occur together or separately resulting in three recognised presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive–impulsive and combined presentations.AimThis study investigated deficiencies in behavioural planning in South African primary school children with and without ADHD.SettingTzaneen area in Limpopo province, South Africa.MethodsA total of 156 children (78 with ADHD and 78 matched controls without ADHD) of both genders, who were medication naïve and aged 6–15 years, participated in the study. The performance of the two groups was compared on a test of planning and problem-solving, the Tower of London (ToL) task. The results were analysed as a function of gender, age and ADHD presentation.ResultsChildren with ADHD especially ADHD-PI and ADHD-C used significantly more moves and took a longer time to complete the task than the controls (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the number of moves and time taken by the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentations of ADHD when compared to the controls. Gender and age did not influence the performance.ConclusionThe results showed that children with ADHD showed significantly more deficits mainly the ADHD-PI and ADHD-C presentations, which indicates that inattention is mainly responsible for deficiencies in behaviour planning. The ADHD-HI presentations and the control group were not affected.
Highlights
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterised by symptoms of overactivity, impulsivity and inattention, which are presently regarded as the main clinical symptoms.[3]
The purpose of the study was to investigate whether children with ADHD have deficits in behaviour planning as measured by the Tower of London (TOL)
The study hypothesised that children with ADHD will have impairments in behaviour planning when compared with neurotypically children
Summary
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origin, with a childhood onset and which often persists into adulthood.[1,2] According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), ADHD is characterised by symptoms of overactivity, impulsivity and inattention, which are presently regarded as the main clinical symptoms.[3]. ADHD predominantly affects males with a male–female sex ratio of 4:1 in clinical samples and 2.4:1 in population studies.[2] Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is found to be as prevalent and with similar same-sex ratios on the African continent as in Western countries.[2,5]. Inattentiveness, overactivity and impulsivity are regarded as the main clinical symptoms of ADHD. These symptoms may occur together or separately resulting in three recognised presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive–impulsive and combined presentations
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