title: Variability of attention processes in ADHD: observations from the classroom.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Classroom- and laboratory-based efforts to study the attentional problems of children with ADHD are incongruent in elucidating attentional deficits; however, none have explored within- or between-minute variability in the classroom attentional processing in children with ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  High and low attention groups of ADHD children defined via cluster analysis, and 36 typically developing children, were observed while completing academic assignments in their general education classrooms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All children oscillated between attentive and inattentive states; however, children in both ADHD groups switched states more frequently and remained attentive for shorter durations relative to typically developing children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall differences in attention and optimal ability to maintain attention among the groups are consistent with laboratory studies of increased ADHD-related interindividual and intergroup variability but inconsistent with laboratory results of increased intra-individual variability and attention decrements over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA. mrapport@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rapport
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kofler
authors.forename: R Matt
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Alderson
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Timko
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Dupaul
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors