Learning and Memory Impairments in Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Abstract
There are relatively few studies on learning and delayed memory with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The objective of the present study was to examine acquisition, free delayed memory, and recognition skills in medication naive children and adolescents aged 8-16 years with ADHD combined subtype (36 participants) and inattentive subtype (45) compared to 50 healthy controls (HC) aged 8-17 years. Learning and delayed memory were assessed with the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised, which have compatible methods of administration, test format, and score ranges. The results showed that children with both ADHD subtypes scored significantly below HC in acquisition, free delayed memory, and recognition, even when controlling for the effect of IQ. Comparing phases in the learning process showed an initial deficit in acquisition but no increase in effect size in subsequent testing of free delayed memory or recognition. The study indicates that learning and delayed memory processes are impaired in both combined and inattentive subtypes of ADHD and that the deficits are not merely an artifact of IQ. The study indicates that emphasis must be put on the acquisition phase and how students with ADHD organize and encode new information.
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Acquisition as a main problem in learning has been found for the current ADHD group in a study by Andersen et al.
“Acquisition as a main problem in learning has been found for the current ADHD group in a study by Andersen et al. [24].”
From Symptoms of ADHD in Children with High-Functioning Autism Are Related to Impaired Verbal Working Memory and Verbal Delayed Recall (2013) · cites this paper as [24]
The delayed recall deficits in children with HFA may be secondary to deficits in acquisition, as was found in children with ADHD.
“The results from the current study indicate that the delayed recall deficits also in children with HFA may be secondary to deficits in acquisition, as was found in the children with ADHD [24].”
From Symptoms of ADHD in Children with High-Functioning Autism Are Related to Impaired Verbal Working Memory and Verbal Delayed Recall (2013) · cites this paper as [24]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Andersen, P. N., Egeland, J., & Øie, M.
- Affiliations
- Lillehammer University College (NO)
- University of Oslo (NO)
- Innlandet Hospital Trust (NO)
- Venue
- Journal of Learning Disabilities
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2012-03-05
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 453-460
- ISSN
- 0022-2194 (ISSN-L)
- 1538-4780
- OpenAlex
- W2110567528
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Learning Disabilities (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Keywords
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, delayed memory, verbal learning, visuospatial memory, recognition memory, acquisition phase, inattentive subtype, combined subtype, children and adolescents
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Aptitude Tests, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Female, Humans, Learning Disabilities, Male, Memory Disorders, Psychological Tests, Wechsler Scales
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