Working memory deficits in ADHD: the contribution of age, learning/language difficulties, and task parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To further define the nature of working memory (WM) impairments in children with combined-type ADHD.


METHODS
A total of 40 Children with ADHD and an age and gender-matched control group (n = 40) completed two measures of visuo-spatial WM and two measures of verbal WM. The effects of age and learning/language difficulties on performance were evaluated.


RESULTS
Children with ADHD obtained significantly lower scores than controls on measures of both visuo-spatial and verbal WM. The impairments in verbal WM were age related.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with ADHD exhibit impaired visuo-spatial WM performance. Younger (less than 8 years), but not older, children with ADHD demonstrate impairments in verbal WM. This latter result may explain the previously reported inconsistent performance of children with ADHD on verbal WM tasks. The importance of taking a developmental perspective in WM research is stressed.
Sowerby
Paula
P
Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. paula@psy.otago.ac.nz
Seal
Simon
S
Tripp
Gail
G
D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests