Time perception differences in children with and without ADHD.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to compare time perception in children with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with use of a time reproduction task.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 60 children (30 with ADHD and 30 without ADHD) ranging in age from 9 to 12 years. Children were asked to watch a light, verbally estimate how long the light was illuminated, and hold a lever in a depressed position for the same amount of time they thought the light was on. Each child participated in 16 trials of 3, 6, 12, or 24 seconds for a total of 64 trials.


RESULTS
Children with ADHD had significantly greater absolute discrepancy scores on the time reproduction task (F(1,58) = 10.878; P <.01) than did children in the control group. In addition, children with ADHD had greater increases in absolute discrepancy scores across time intervals (F(3,174) = 82.08; P <.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Poor time perception affects the performance of social skills and other adaptive behaviors such as health consciousness and concerns for safety. The findings of this study indicate that children with ADHD have impaired time perception compared with children who do not have ADHD.
Meaux
Julie B
JB
University of Central Arkansas, Conway 72035, USA.
Chelonis
John J
JJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003071:Cognition; D003463:Cues; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D008960:Models, Psychological; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012919:Social Behavior; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013998:Time Perception