Children with ADHD Have Speech and Academic Problems

ADHD, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a very common childhood disorder in today's world and is known to continue into adulthood soemtimes. Studies centered on ADHD show how this condition often leads to poor social interaction in children and also underachievement at school.

The latest study by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute found that children with ADHD are three times more vulnerable to speech problems and this in turn worsens the children's academic outcomes.

The study included 391 children who were a part of the children's Attention Project.  The researchers screened for language problems in children with ADHD. And also formed a control group

The researchers saw that the risk of language impairment in children with ADHD was three time more by six years of age.  On screening the subjects the researchers observed that 40 percent of the children in the  ADHD group came out positive for language problems compared to 17 percent of the children in the control group.  The rate of language problems was same in both girls and boys with ADHD.

Apart from this, the researchers also saw that children with both ADHD and language impairment had bad academic outcomes that included problems with reading and maths compared to their counterparts without ADHD.  But children with ADHD and language problems did not display poor social skills.

Less than half of the children with ADHD never used speech pathology service and just one-quarter were referred to a speech pathologist.

"We are concerned that few children with ADHD and language problems are currently accessing speech pathology services, especially given that language problems are related to poorer academic outcomes ," said lead researcher, Dr Emma Sciberras."Routine assessments for ADHD do not generally include standardised language assessments, but given the strong association between language and academic underachievement, if children with ADHD are falling behind academically they should be referred for a language assessment."

In another study, the researchers examined how anxiety influences the lives of the children with ADHD. 64 percent of the children with ADHD were diagnosed with one or more anxiety problems.

Children with ADHD having two or more anxiety problems were more likely to have poor quality of life and behavior.

"It's really important to identify anxiety problems in children with ADHD," said Dr Sciberras.  "Given that anxiety is so common in children with ADHD and is associated with poorer functioning, it's vital that anxiety is assessed as part of clinical assessments for children with ADHD. Importantly, anxiety needs to be re-assessed at follow-up consultations, as anxiety may develop overtime for children with ADHD."

The two studies highlight the additional difficulties children with ADHD undergo. Language impairment and anxiety together can hamper the daily activities of the children with ADHD.

Both the studies were reported in the journal Pediatrics.