[Learning difficulties in mathematics in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder].
BACKGROUND
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning difficulties are two diagnostic categories of great social importance and impact, and which are associated in around 25-35% of cases. One explanation offered by researchers to account for this overlap is a deficit in executive functioning (EF).


OBJECTIVE
1) To compare EF and applied mathematical knowledge in children with ADHD, difficulties in learning mathematics (DLM) or ADHD + DLM, and to identify the deficiencies they experience. 2) To verify whether the phenotype hypothesis is fulfilled in the case of the ADHD + DLM condition.


METHODS
The study involved a quasi-experimental 2 x 2 design, with a sample made up of 78 participants (6-13 years old) who were divided into four groups: ADHD (n = 33), DLM (n = 15), ADHD + DLM (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Tests aimed at evaluating different cognitive processes as well as applied mathematical knowledge were administered: inhibitory control (go/no go); verbal working (backward digit-recall and counting memory task) and temporal-visual-spatial memory; short-term memory (direct digit-recall); attention (CPT); calculation speed (Canals) and real-life problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Taking the variables age, gender and intelligence quotient as covariables, results showed that the three groups with problems displayed a deficit of attention and in working memory; the DLM group stood out from the other owing to the presence of a specific deficiency affecting the ability to recall temporal-visual-spatial information. In contrast, deficits in inhibitory control were seen to be specific to ADHD. Finally, findings did not support the phenotype hypothesis, and it was therefore an accumulative profile.
Miranda-Casas
A
A
Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universidad de Valencia, España. ana.miranda@uv.es
Meliá-de Alba
A
A
Marco-Taverner
R
R
Roselló
B
B
Mulas
F
F
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics