Neuropsychological battery for the Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder assessment in school aged children

Abstract

Objective: Present the design of a neuropsychological battery for the detection of main cognitive deficits in school aged children with ADHD. Methods: The neuropsychological battery created for the present study consists of 13 subtests that were designed based on the main neuropsychological deficits described in recent literature regarding ADHD in school aged children and it has been applied to 10 children and adjustments have been made in its design. The tests are as follows: 1. Synkinetic movements (Motor overflow). 2. Gait. 3. Synchronized movements. 4. Delay aversion. 5. Reaction time (Go/No-go task). 6. Planning. 7. Working Memory. 8. Set- shifting. 9. Temporal processing. 10. Interference control. 11. Social Cognition. 12. Rapid naming. 13. Processing speed. Results: Until now, the battery has only been applied on a small sample to make adjustments on the application parameters, because some of the subtests are automated. Conclusion: Covering the evaluation of deficient functions in children with ADHD, the test battery is expected to make an important contribution to diagnostic evaluations, after its validation process and standardization.