Preadolescent girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: II. Neuropsychological performance in relation to subtypes and individual classification

J Consult Clin Psychol. 2002 Oct;70(5):1099-111. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.70.5.1099.

Abstract

This study examined executive functions, motor speed, and language processing in a diverse, preadolescent sample of 93 girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) combined type, 47 ADHD inattentive type, and 88 age- and ethnicity-matched comparison girls. Testing was performed without stimulant medication. All 10 neuropsychological variables showed significant omnibus subgroup differences, with 8 of 10 combined versus comparison contrasts significant (average effect size medium) and 6 of 10 inattentive versus comparison contrasts significant (average effect size small to medium), but only 2 of 10 combined versus inattentive contrasts significant (average effect size small). Results were robust to statistical control of demographic variables, comorbidities, and IQ. Discriminant function analysis revealed relatively high sensitivity but only modest specificity in predicting ADHD from comparison status from test performance; classification of the inattentive type was extremely poor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / classification
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / classification
  • Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Learning Disabilities / classification
  • Learning Disabilities / diagnosis
  • Learning Disabilities / psychology
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data*
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • San Francisco
  • Urban Population*