Co-Occurrence of ADHD and high IQ: a case series empirical study.
OBJECTIVE
The validity of a diagnosis of ADHD in children with a high intelligence quotient (IQ) remains controversial. Using a multidisciplinary approach, rigorous diagnostic criteria, and worldwide-validated psychometric instruments, we identified a group of children attending public schools in southern Brazil for co-occurrence of high IQ and ADHD.


METHODS
Students attending public schools, in the first to fifth grades, were referred to our Research Center for behavioral and/or learning difficulties. These children completed clinical, psychiatric, psychological, and pedagogical evaluations for assessment of IQ, ADHD, learning, and other emotional or behavioral disorders.


RESULTS
Fifteen of the participants were identified to have a full-scale IQ ≥ 120. Data show that 10 of these high-IQ children met the DSM-IV criteria diagnosis for ADHD combined type, 5 met criteria for current oppositional-defiant disorder, 2 had current major depression, and 2 had a learning disorder. Here we present the results as a case series.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data support the hypothesis that ADHD is a valid diagnosis in children with high IQs.
Cordeiro
Mara L
ML
Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Curitiba, Brazil. mcordeiro@pelepequenoprincipe.org.br
Farias
Antonio C
AC
Cunha
Alexandre
A
Benko
Cássia R
CR
Farias
Lucilene G
LG
Costa
Maria T
MT
Martins
Leandra F
LF
McCracken
James T
JT
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results