Intellectual Characteristics of Preschool Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Objective To explore the characteristics of intelligence characteristics in preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods From June 2007 to May 2010, 43 preschool children at the age of 4 to 6 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 32 healthy preschool children at the same age were recruited in this study. Their intelligence was evaluated with Chinese-Wechsler Young Children Scale of Intelligence (C-WYCSI). Informed consent was obtained from all participates. Results The verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ), performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) and full intelligence quotient (FIQ) of preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were at the normal range, but were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05). Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had significantly lower scores of information, arithmetic, vocabulary, picture concepts, comprehension, AE, Ma and block design than those of control group (P<0.05). Twenty-two children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 3 children in control group had discrete scores between verbal intelligence quotient and performance intelligence quotient (≥15 scores). The difference of children who had discrete scores between verbal intelligence quotient and performance intelligence quotient was significant (P<0.05). In factor analysis, the scores of verbal comprehension, perceptual organization an, visual stimuli comprehension, simultaneous processing, following processing and action plan of ADHD group were significantly lower than that of the controls (P<0.05). Conclusion Preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores than that of normal children and their balance between verbal intelligence quotient and performance intelligence quotient was poor. Key words: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD); intelligence; preschool; child