Research article summary (published 28 Feb 2000):

The interface between ADHD and language impairment: an examination of language, achievement, and cognitive processing.

Full Abstract

Language impairments are commonly observed among children referred for psychiatric services. The most frequent psychiatric diagnosis of children with language impairment (LI) is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is not clear whether there are differences between children with ADHD and comorbid LI and children with other psychiatric disorders who are also comorbid for LI. In the present study the language, achievement, and cognitive processing characteristics of 166 psychiatrically referred 7-14-year-old children were examined using a 2 x 2 (ADHD, LI) design to examine four groups: children with ADHD + LI, children with ADHD who have normally developing language, children with psychiatric diagnoses other than ADHD with a language impairment (OPD + LI) or without a LI (OPD). Results indicated that children with LI were at the most disadvantage regardless of the nature of the psychiatric diagnosis. Contrary to prediction, working memory measures, used to tap the core cognitive deficit of ADHD in executive functions, were more closely associated with LI than with ADHD. It was concluded that caution must be exercised in attributing to children with ADHD what might be a reflection of problems for children with language impairment generally. As most therapies are verbally based it is notable that language competence is rarely evaluated systematically before such therapies are undertaken.

Author information

Author/s: Cohen, N J (NJ); Vallance, D D (DD); Barwick, M (M); Im, N (N); Menna, R (R); Horodezky, N B (NB); Isaacson, L (L);

Affiliation: Hincks-Dellcrest Centre for Children's Mental Health, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. nancy.cohen(-atsign-)utoronto.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines (J Child Psychol Psychiatry), published in ENGLAND. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2000-Mar; vol 41 (issue 3) : pp 353-62

Dates: Created 2000/07/11; Completed 2000/07/11; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 10784082, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Achievement Adolescent Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications; diagnosis Child Cognition Disorders - complications; diagnosis; epidemiology Female Humans

Humans Language Disorders - complications; epidemiology Language Tests Male Neuropsychological Tests Prevalence Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

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