Preschoolers with Developmental Disabilities:A Comparison of an ADHD;a NonADHD Group Benjamin

摘要

Background To compare a group of preschoolers with developmental disabilities at-risk for ADHD (ADHD/DD) with a group of preschoolers with DD and no ADHD behaviors (nonADHD/DD). Materials and Methods Seventy-three preschoolers between 4 and 5 years of age with cognitive functioning between an IQ of 40 and 79 were recruited. All were enrolled in developmental preschool programs. The groups were compared using home and school questionnaires as well as laboratory measures of activity level, impulsivity, attention span, play, and compliance. Results Preschoolers with ADHD/DD had significantly greater conduct, language, adaptive and social deficits than controls. On laboratory measures, preschoolers with ADHD/DD were significantly more impulsive and out-of-seat than controls. Finally, families of ADHD/DD children experienced greater stress than controls. Conclusions DD preschoolers with symptoms suggestive of ADHD experience deficits in areas beyond that accounted for by DD alone. Similar to typically developing children with ADHD, this cohort has problems with learning, conduct, socialization, and adaptive skills. Consequently, these children remain at even greater risk of mental health and learning difficulties during their school years.