Prefrontal and frontostriatal structures mediate academic outcomes associated with ADHD symptoms

Objective: For children with high levels of ADHD symptoms, to investigate the impact of early school-based interventions on academic outcomes in mid-childhood. Method: A 6-year follow-up of 4- to 5-year-olds ( N = 52,075) whose schools participated in a cluster randomized controlled trial for children at risk of ADHD. School-level interventions involved the provision of a booklet with evidence-based information (book) and/or feedback of names (identification) of children with high levels of ADHD symptoms. At ages 10 to 11 years, outcome measures were scores in English and mathematics tests. Results: For children with high levels of ADHD symptoms, the interventions had no impact on academic outcomes. When all children were analyzed, the book intervention had a positive impact on mathematics. Baseline inattention was associated with poorer academic outcomes, whereas impulsiveness was associated with better academic outcomes. Conclusion: The provision of evidence-based information about helping children with ADHD at school may have wider academic benefits.

Download Full-text

Peer Victimization and Poor Academic Outcomes in Adolescents With ADHD: What Individual Factors Predict Risk?

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054720914387 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 108705472091438

Author(s):

Nardia Zendarski ◽

Rosanna Breaux ◽

Hana-May Eadeh ◽

Zoe R. Smith ◽

Stephen J. Molitor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Peer Victimization ◽

Academic Outcomes ◽

Educational Outcomes ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Individual Factors ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Relationship Problems ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective: Examine individual factors associated with peer victimization (PV) in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to examine the association between PV and educational outcomes. Method: Participants were 121 adolescents ( Mage = 13.62, SD = 1.03; 89% boys) with diagnosed ADHD. Using path analysis, we tested whether general adolescent factors (ADHD symptoms, comorbid autism spectrum disorder, cognitive and social functioning, and age) were associated with experiences of PV, and associations between PV and academic outcomes. Results: Deficits in working memory (WM) and peer relationship problems were weakly and moderately associated with PV, respectively. PV was in turn was associated with adolescents’ attitudes about school, academic competence, and academic achievement. Conclusion: Adolescents with poor social skills and/or WM difficulties who have ADHD may be particularly vulnerable to being victimized by peers. Failure to identify and manage PV during early adolescence may be connected to poor educational outcomes.

Download Full-text

Executive Functions and Clinical and Academic Outcomes in Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2020_persp-19-00143 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 1221-1230

Author(s):

Jane Roitsch ◽

Kimberly A. Murphy ◽

Anastasia M. Raymer

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Academic Outcomes ◽

Graduate Program ◽

Performance Outcomes ◽

Future Research ◽

Speech Language Pathology ◽

Grade Point ◽

Praxis Ii ◽

Language Pathology ◽

Preliminary Study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate executive function measures as they relate to clinical and academic performance outcomes of graduate speech-language pathology students. Method An observational design incorporating correlations and stepwise multiple regressions was used to determine the strength of the relationships between clinical outcomes that occurred at various time points throughout the graduate program (clinical coursework grades throughout the program and case study paper scores at the end of the program), academic outcomes (graduate grade point average and Praxis II exam in speech-language pathology scores), and executive function (EF) scores (EF assessment scores, self-reported EF scores). Participants were 37 students (36 women, M age = 24.1) in a master's degree program in speech-language pathology at a southeastern U.S. university during the 2017–2018 academic year. Results Findings of this preliminary study indicated that a limited number of objective EF scores and self-reported EF scores were related to clinical and academic outcomes of graduate speech-language pathology students. Conclusion As results of this preliminary study suggest that EF tests may be related to clinical and academic outcomes, future research can move to study the potential role of EF measures in the graduate admissions process in clinical graduate programs such as speech-language pathology.

Download Full-text

Complex Trauma and Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Clinical Implications

Perspectives on School-Based Issues ◽

10.1044/sbi13.2.32 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 32-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Yvette D. Hyter

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Child Development ◽

Academic Outcomes ◽

Complex Trauma ◽

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Prenatal Alcohol ◽

The Brain

Abstract Complex trauma resulting from chronic maltreatment and prenatal alcohol exposure can significantly affect child development and academic outcomes. Children with histories of maltreatment and those with prenatal alcohol exposure exhibit remarkably similar central nervous system impairments. In this article, I will review the effects of each on the brain and discuss clinical implications for these populations of children.

Download Full-text

Basic numerical processing, calculation, and working memory in children with dyscalculia and/or ADHD symptoms

Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie ◽

10.1024/1422-4917/a000450 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (5) ◽

pp. 365-375 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jörg-Tobias Kuhn ◽

Elena Ise ◽

Julia Raddatz ◽

Christin Schwenk ◽

Christian Dobel

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Verbal Working Memory ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Cognitive Profiles ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Memory Processing ◽

Numerical Processing ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Neurocognitive Measures

Abstract. Objective: Deficits in basic numerical skills, calculation, and working memory have been found in children with developmental dyscalculia (DD) as well as children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This paper investigates cognitive profiles of children with DD and/or ADHD symptoms (AS) in a double dissociation design to obtain a better understanding of the comorbidity of DD and ADHD. Method: Children with DD-only (N = 33), AS-only (N = 16), comorbid DD+AS (N = 20), and typically developing controls (TD, N = 40) were assessed on measures of basic numerical processing, calculation, working memory, processing speed, and neurocognitive measures of attention. Results: Children with DD (DD, DD+AS) showed deficits in all basic numerical skills, calculation, working memory, and sustained attention. Children with AS (AS, DD+AS) displayed more selective difficulties in dot enumeration, subtraction, verbal working memory, and processing speed. Also, they generally performed more poorly in neurocognitive measures of attention, especially alertness. Children with DD+AS mostly showed an additive combination of the deficits associated with DD-only and A_Sonly, except for subtraction tasks, in which they were less impaired than expected. Conclusions: DD and AS appear to be related to largely distinct patterns of cognitive deficits, which are present in combination in children with DD+AS. 

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of the Prevention Program for Externalizing Problem Behavior (PEP) in Preschoolers with Severe and No or Mild ADHD Symptoms

Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie ◽

10.1024/1422-4917/a000425 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 231-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ilka Eichelberger ◽

Julia Plücka ◽

Christopher Hautmann ◽

Charlotte Hanisch ◽

Manfred Döpfner

Keyword(s):

Problem Behavior ◽

Prevention Program ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Aggressives Verhalten ◽

Externalizing Problem Behavior ◽

Externalizing Problem ◽

Expansives Problemverhalten

Abstract. Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Das Präventionsprogramm für Expansives Problemverhalten (PEP), entwickelt für Eltern (EL) und ErzieherInnen (ER) von Vorschulkindern, zeigte in beiden Modulen (PEP-EL und PEP-ER) in der Routineversorgung positive Effekte. Das Ziel dieser Sekundäranalyse war die Untersuchung der Effekte beider Module bezogen auf Vorschulkinder mit hoch ausgeprägter ADHS-Symptomatik im Vergleich zu Kindern mit keiner oder wenig ausgeprägter ADHS-Symptomatik. Methodik: In einem Eigenkontrollgruppendesign werden die Veränderungen der Symptomatik und des Problemverhaltens der Kinder in spezifischen Situationen zu Hause und in der Schule in einer Wartephase mit den Veränderungen in einer Interventionsphase verglichen (jeweils 3 Monate). Ergebnisse: Durch das Elterntraining reduzieren sich für Kinder mit hoch ausgeprägter ADHS-Symptomatik die spezifischen Problemsituationen zu Hause (HSQ-D) und durch das ErzieherInnentraining zeigen sich signifikante Effekte für oppositionell-aggressives Verhalten und im Gesamtscore des Fragebogen für ErzieherInnen von Klein- und Vorschulkindern (C-TRF 1½-5). Kinder mit keiner oder weniger ausgeprägter ADHS-Symptomatik zeigen Veränderungen im HSQ-D, im oppositionell-aggressiven Verhalten und im Gesamtwert des Elternfragebogen für Klein- und Vorschulkinder (CBCL 1½-5), während sich für das ErzieherInnentraining in allen Zielvariablen signifikante Effekte zeigen. Schussfolgerungen: Die Befunde, dass sich Effekte auf unterschiedlichen Dimensionen von Problemverhalten zeigen, legen nahe, dass die Kombination beider Trainingsmodule eine potentielle präventive Strategie für Vorschulkinder mit ADHS darstellt.

Download Full-text

The Attenuation of Very Low Frequency Brain Oscillations in Transitions from a Rest State to Active Attention

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803.23.4.191 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 191-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Suzannah K. Helps ◽

Samantha J. Broyd ◽

Christopher J. James ◽

Anke Karl ◽

Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke

Keyword(s):

Brain Activity ◽

Sampling Rate ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Future Research ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Default Mode ◽

Very Low Frequency ◽

Wide Range ◽

Interference Hypothesis ◽

Mode Interference

Background: The default mode interference hypothesis ( Sonuga-Barke & Castellanos, 2007 ) predicts (1) the attenuation of very low frequency oscillations (VLFO; e.g., .05 Hz) in brain activity within the default mode network during the transition from rest to task, and (2) that failures to attenuate in this way will lead to an increased likelihood of periodic attention lapses that are synchronized to the VLFO pattern. Here, we tested these predictions using DC-EEG recordings within and outside of a previously identified network of electrode locations hypothesized to reflect DMN activity (i.e., S3 network; Helps et al., 2008 ). Method: 24 young adults (mean age 22.3 years; 8 male), sampled to include a wide range of ADHD symptoms, took part in a study of rest to task transitions. Two conditions were compared: 5 min of rest (eyes open) and a 10-min simple 2-choice RT task with a relatively high sampling rate (ISI 1 s). DC-EEG was recorded during both conditions, and the low-frequency spectrum was decomposed and measures of the power within specific bands extracted. Results: Shift from rest to task led to an attenuation of VLFO activity within the S3 network which was inversely associated with ADHD symptoms. RT during task also showed a VLFO signature. During task there was a small but significant degree of synchronization between EEG and RT in the VLFO band. Attenuators showed a lower degree of synchrony than nonattenuators. Discussion: The results provide some initial EEG-based support for the default mode interference hypothesis and suggest that failure to attenuate VLFO in the S3 network is associated with higher synchrony between low-frequency brain activity and RT fluctuations during a simple RT task. Although significant, the effects were small and future research should employ tasks with a higher sampling rate to increase the possibility of extracting robust and stable signals.

Download Full-text