Applying a psychoeducational perspective to ADHD

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition Ancillary and Complementary Index Critical Values and Base Rates for the Normative Sample

An area of particular importance when examining index scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition (WISC-V) is the utilization and interpretation of critical values and base rates associated with differences between an individual’s subtest scaled score and the individual’s mean scaled score for an index. For the WISC-V, critical value and base rate information is provided for the core subtests contained within each of the primary indices. However, critical value and base rate information is not provided by the test publisher for subtests within the Quantitative Reasoning Index (QRI), Auditory Working Memory Index (AWMI), Nonverbal Index (NVI), General Ability Index (GAI), Cognitive Proficiency Index (CPI), Naming Speed Index (NSI), Symbol Translation Index (STI), and Storage and Retrieval Index (SRI). This study investigates and provides critical values and base rates for performance on the QRI, AWMI, NVI, GAI, CPI, NSI, STI, and SRI.

A systematic review of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mathematical ability: current findings and future implications

BACKGROUND

Several recent behavioural and behavioural genetic studies have investigated the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mathematical ability. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of these studies to date. An emphasis was placed on reviewing results that explored the association between mathematics and the two ADHD components of attention and hyperactivity-impulsivity separately.

METHODS

A systematic search of quantitative studies investigating the association between mathematics and ADHD was conducted across five databases (PsychINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus). A total of 30 cross-sectional and four longitudinal studies were included in this review.

RESULTS

Narrative synthesis of the results was provided using PRISMA guidelines. Taken together, the studies pointed at substantial evidence for a negative association between ADHD symptoms and mathematical ability. This association was particularly marked for the inattentive component of ADHD than for the hyperactive-impulsive component. Evidence from twin studies also showed a significant genetic correlation between mathematics and ADHD, which was greater for the inattentive component of ADHD compared to the hyperactive-impulsive component.

CONCLUSIONS

The differential relationship of the hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention domains with mathematics emphasises the heterogeneity within the disorder and suggests a partially different aetiology of the two ADHD domains. A better understanding of the aetiology of ADHD could help develop more efficient interventions aimed at the reduction of its symptoms. It could also offer an explanatory framework for shortcomings in achievement and inform the development of non-pharmacological intervention strategies.

Cognitive deficits and positively biased self-perceptions in children with ADHD

This study examined the relation between cognitive deficits and positive bias in a sample of 272 children with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; 7-12 years old). Results indicated that children with ADHD with and without biased self-perceptions exhibit differences in specific cognitive deficits (executive processes, working memory, broad attention, and cognitive fluency) compared to each other and to control children. Further, specific cognitive deficits emerged as partial mediators of the relation between ADHD diagnostic status and positive bias. Interestingly, some differences in results emerged based on the domain considered (academic, social, behavioral competence). Results lend initial support to the role of cognitive deficits in the positive bias of some children with ADHD. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.