Four-year follow-up of children with low intelligence and ADHD: a replication

Abstract

Twenty children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and low IQs, who participated in a drug study, were followed up 4.5 years later, when their ages averaged 12.4 years (range: 8–20 years; SD=2.78). Participants were assessed by their parents and teachers on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist—Community (ABC; Aman & Singh, 1994), on the Child Symptom Inventory (CSI; Gadow & Sprafkin, 1994), and on a structured interview. A majority of children continued to screen positive for ADHD at follow-up, as well as display high rates of comorbid anxiety disorders, tics, and elimination disorders. Educational placement became slightly more restrictive over the follow-up interval. Multiple medication trials (30 in all, among 14 participants) were attempted between initial contact and follow-up. Ratings on the ABC by parents and teachers showed significantly lower scores at follow-up on the Hyperactivity subscale. Relatively few associations were found between initial ratings and follow-up ratings on standardized scales.