title: Experimental cross-validation of DSM-IV types of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the discriminant validity of DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) types by testing the hypothesis that types are associated with specific kinds of functional impairment and to compare overlap of DSM-IV and DSM-III-R ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive referrals (n = 692) to a pediatric subspecialty clinic for ADHD were classified into 1 of each of the 3 DSM-IV types of ADHD using parent and teacher checklist ratings of ADHD symptoms. The resulting types were compared on clinical correlates and on whether the children also met criteria for DSM-III-R ADHD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The validity of DSM-IV types was supported by dimension-specific impairment and other distinct correlates. Academic problems aggregated in the 2 types defined by extreme inattention, and externalizing problems aggregated in the 2 types defined by extreme hyperactivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DSM-IV appeared superior to DSM-III-R in subcategorical homogeneity and in exhaustiveness (ability to classify all apparent cases).
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA. kmcburne@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McBurnett
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Pfiffner
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Willcutt
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tamm
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ottolini
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Furman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results