Intelligence and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

By : Seema Kushwaha, Sapna Verma

Page No: 417-425

Abstract
The present study intended to identify attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among school-going children and to determine prevalence ratio of ADHD symptoms among boys and girls. Another aim of the present study was to investigate the difference that existed between verbal as well as performance intelligence of ADHD and non ADHD children. Total sample comprised of 1300 children (650 boys and 650 girls, Mage = 12.5, age range: 12-13 years) purposively drawn from randomly selected 25 schools of Kanpur city of Uttar Pradesh state. Vanderbilt ADHD scales (Teacher and Parent versions) developed by Wolraich, et al. was used to measure ADHD disorder among children. Findings based on teachers and parents ratings revealed that 5.8 percent children (N=75; 63 boys and 12 girls) were found to be suffering with ADHD. The prevalence ratio of ADHD among boys and girls was found to be 5:1. To fulfill another objective, Intelligence scale for Indian children developed by Malin was used to measure verbal and performance intelligence of 150 children (75 ADHD and 75 non ADHD children, Mage = 12.5, age range: 12-13 years). Obtained data was analyzed using ‘t’ test of significance. Insignificant differences between ADHD and control group in verbal, performance and overall intelligence were found. The study revealed better performance intelligence among ADHD children than non ADHD group.

Authors :
Sapna Verma : Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, D.A.V. College, Kanpur (India),
Seema Kushwaha : Counsellor, Working with N.G.O