title: Children with low working memory and children with ADHD: same or different?
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare working memory (WM), executive function, academic ability, and problem classroom behaviors in children aged 8-11 years who were either identified via routine screening as having low WM, or had been diagnosed with ADHD. Standardized assessments of WM, executive function and reading and mathematics were administered to 83 children with ADHD, 50 children with low WM and 50 typically developing children. Teachers rated problem behaviors on checklists measuring attention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, oppositional behavior, and difficulties associated with executive function in the classroom. The ADHD and low WM groups had highly similar WM and executive function profiles, but were distinguished in two key respects: children with ADHD had higher levels of rated and observed impulsive behavior, and children with low WM had slower response times. Possible mechanisms for these common and distinct deficits are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Joni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust Durham, UK.
authors.forename: Kerry A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hilton
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Place
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Tracy P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Alloway
authors.affiliation: School of Education, Durham University Durham, UK.
authors.forename: Julian G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gathercole
keywords: ADHD; developmental disorders; executive function; intervention; working memory