C-43 The Relation Between Executive Functioning and Fluid Reasoning Performance in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Objective Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 5% of school-aged children.4 Fluid reasoning (FR) tasks assess one’s ability to detect underlying conceptual relationships and use reasoning to identify and apply rules to problem solve.4 Previous research has demonstrated that children with ADHD perform more poorly in FR, though the mechanism behind this is unclear.3,4 The literature suggests that FR is reliant on executive functioning skills such as inhibitory control, working memory, and planning.1,4 Therefore, this study examines how performance on FR from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V) is related to measures of executive functioning (EF) and attention in children with ADHD. Method Participants were children aged 8 to 16-years with ADHD (N = 75) referred for neuropsychological testing. Participant demographics: males (N = 50, 65.8%), females (N = 26, 34.2%); African American (5.3%), Asian (1.3%), Caucasian (52.6%), Other (39.5%). Measures included the WISC-V Fluid Reasoning Index (FRI), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) Color Word Identification (CWI) and Tower subtests, omissions/commissions on the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF) subscales. Results Bivariate correlations showed that the FRI was only significantly positively correlated with CWI Inhibition/Switching Time (r = .246, p = .047). Commission errors on the CPT approached significance (r = .217, p = .145). Conclusion The WISC-V FRI may be vulnerable to weaknesses in EF or behavioral control in children with ADHD and should be interpreted in that context. Findings suggest the FRI may be particularly impacted by weaknesses in inhibitory control.