Executive Function Deficits Among ADHD Students in Classroom Learning

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the widely prevalent externalizing disorders from the category of neurodevelopmental disorders. With the constant rise in the diagnosis of a number of cases presenting ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms, the need to understand issues as experienced by the student requires the right interventions for effective management. The core challenges in the area of academics and overall presentation lie with the executive function deficits that the child has. Hence, addressing those and working on skills like attention, working memory, response inhibition, goal setting, planning, problem solving, and organization has to be considered as part of the management plan. The current chapter explores evidence-based issues and strategies to be targeted in the classroom set up for students with ADHD. It also highlights some classroom-specific strategies, which can be focused by the teachers and remedial therapists.

Impact of Executive Function Deficits and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on Academic Outcomes in Children.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology ◽

10.1037/0022-006x.72.5.757 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 72 (5) ◽

pp. 757-766 ◽

Cited By ~ 421

Author(s):

Joseph Biederman ◽

Michael C. Monuteaux ◽

Alysa E. Doyle ◽

Larry J. Seidman ◽

Timothy E. Wilens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Academic Outcomes ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

P.7.b.002 Executive function deficits in children with combined type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

European Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1016/s0924-977x(08)70853-8 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. S560

Author(s):

E.J. Kim ◽

Y.C. Kim

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Heritability and the Comorbidity of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder With Behavioral Disorders and Executive Function Deficits: A Preliminary Investigation

Developmental Neuropsychology ◽

10.1207/s15326942dn1703_1 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 273-287 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

Frederick L. Coolidge ◽

Linda L. Thede ◽

Susan E. Young

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Behavioral Disorders ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Preliminary Investigation ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

10.1093/med/9780199326075.003.0015 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel T. Chrzanowski ◽

Elisabeth B. Guthrie ◽

Matthew B. Perkins ◽

Moira A. Rynn

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

Externalizing Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Multiple Informants ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Oppositional Defiant

Common disorders of children and adolescents include neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., intellectual disability, autistic spectrum disorder, and learning disorders), internalizing disorders (e.g., mood and anxiety disorders), and externalizing disorders (e.g., oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder). The assessment of a child or adolescent patient always includes multiple informants, the context in which the child’s difficulties occur, and a functional behavioral assessment. Patients with autism spectrum disorder tend to have persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, a restricted repertoire of behaviors and interests, and abnormal cognitive functioning. Children with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder experience chronic and severe irritability and frequent temper outbursts. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention before 12 years of age. Behavior therapy has been effectively used to treat children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, tic disorders, feeding and elimination disorders, and externalizing disorders. Fluoxetine is approved for treatment of depression in children and escitalopram, for adolescents. Methylphenidate and amphetamine preparations are first-line treatment for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Executive Function Deficits, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Tics, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in an Adolescent

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1089/cap.2009.19503 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 585-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Susan J. Schwartz ◽

Kirsten Cullen Sharma ◽

Barbara J. Coffey

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

424. Executive function deficits in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Biological Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0006-3223(00)00694-6 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 47 (8) ◽

pp. S130

Author(s):

J.L. Vassileva ◽

J.M. Vongher ◽

M. Fischer ◽

L. Conant ◽

R.C. Risinger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

A review of executive function deficits in autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment ◽

10.2147/ndt.s104620 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 1191 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Lucia Margari ◽

Francesco Craig ◽

Francesco Margari ◽

Anna Legrottaglie ◽

Roberto Palumbi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Executive Function ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Executive function and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Ugandan children with perinatal HIV exposure

Global Mental Health ◽

10.1017/gmh.2015.2 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. D. Burkey ◽

S. M. Murray ◽

P. Bangirana ◽

I. Familiar ◽

R. O. Opoka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

Perinatal Hiv ◽

Hiv Exposure ◽

Symptom Criteria ◽

Background.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in childhood and is associated with substantial deficits in executive functioning and lost academic and occupational attainment. This study evaluates symptoms of ADHD and their association with neurocognitive deficits in a cohort of rural Ugandan children who were born to HIV-infected mothers.Methods.We assessed ADHD symptoms and executive function (including memory and attention) in a non-clinical sample of children born to HIV-infected mothers in rural eastern Uganda. Analyses included assessments of the psychometric properties, factor structure, and convergent and discriminant validity of the ADHD measure (ADHD-Rating Scale-IV); and executive function deficits in children meeting symptom criteria for ADHD.Results.232 children [54% female; mean age 7.8 years (s.d. 2.0)] were assessed for ADHD and executive function deficits. The ADHD measure showed good internal consistency (α = 0.85.) Confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fit for the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) two-factor model. Subjects meeting DSM-5 symptom criteria for ADHD had worse parent-rated executive function on six out of seven subscales.Conclusions.Our results demonstrate structural validity of the ADHD measure with this population, strong associations between ADHD symptom severity and poorer executive function, and higher levels of executive function problems in perinatally HIV-exposed Ugandan children with ADHD. These findings suggest that ADHD may be an important neurocognitive disorder associated with executive function problems among children in sub-Saharan African settings where perinatal HIV exposure is common.