The characteristics of learning abilities in children with pure attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Objective To explore the characteristics of various learning abilities in children with pure attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). Method A cross-sectional study was used. Seventy-five children with pure ADHD and 25 normal children with gender-, age- and grade-matched to ADHD children were enrolled. Each subject was tested by the China-Wechsler Intelligence Scale (C-WISC), Raven's standard progressive matrices, graded mathematical achievement, graded reading achievement, simple subtraction, complex subtraction and word semantics for their IQ, reasoning ability, the best level of mathematical and reading achievement, computation fluency and language comprehension. The ADHD Rating Scale-Ⅳ was used to assess the symptoms of inattention and hyperactive impulsive in children with ADHD. The scores of Raven's standard progressive matrices were used as a covariate, and to compare the differences of learning abilities between both groups. Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were used to test the association between learning abilities and symptoms in children with ADHD. Result Different aspects of learning abilities of ADHD group were lower than those of control group, and there were significant differences between two groups (all P 0.05). Conclusion The computation fluency, graded mathematical achievement, graded reading achievement and word semantics of children with pure ADHD may be lower than normal control children. Different learning abilities may not be related to symptoms of ADHD. Key words: Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; Learning; Mathematics; Reading; Child; Computation fluency; Language comprehension