Patterns of Behavioral Adjustment and Maladjustment in Mental Retardation: Comparison of Children With and Without ADHD

Abstract

A variety of behavioral and emotional problems have been associated with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) in children of average intellect. In contrast, little is known about concomitant behavioral and emotional problems in children with ADHD and mental retardation. In this study, we used the Personality Inventory for Children-Revised to assess the behavioral adjustment of 48 children with mental retardation and ADHD compared to that of 47 children with mental retardation without ADHD. The ADHD group had significantly more symptoms of depression, family conflict, noncompliance, anxiety, hyperactivity, inadequate social skills, and academic problems. Results are strongly suggestive of significant behavioral and emotional problems in children with ADHD and mental retardation, thus mirroring the pattern associated with ADHD in the general school-age population.

Children's delayed development and behavior problems: Impact on mothers' perceived physical health across early childhood

“…Baker, Blacher, Kopp, & Kraemer, 1997). Further, children with developmental delays experience higher rates of behavior problems than typically developing children, which are also tied to poorer maternal well-being (Pearson et al, 2000). However, little is known about the impact of raising a child with delayed development on maternal physical health .…”

ADHD Symptom Subtypes in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder

“…Because the present study was not designed to validate specific diagnostic procedures, our data do not speak to the issue of differential and dual diagnosis in severely intellectually impaired children with PDD. However, it is important to add that the associated features of ADHD in children with and without mental retardation appear to be similar (e.g., Handen, McAuliffe, Janosky, Feldman H, & Breaux, 1998;Pearson et al, 2000), as is response to methylphenidate, although low functioning individuals experience less dramatic improvement (Aman, Buican, & Arnold, 2003;Pearson et al, 2003). Doubleblind studies of methylphenidate in children with autism have reported favorable improvement in ADHD behaviors with medication in some individuals (Birmaher, Quintana, & Greenhill, 1987;Handen, Johnson, & Lubetsky, 2000;Quintana et al, 1995), although children with PDD may be more sensitive to adverse drug reactions and higher doses of medication (Handen et al, 2000).…”

Comorbid Conditions in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

“…Children with ID and comorbid disorders show increased risk for lower academic functioning, adaptive functioning in the community, social functioning, and career opportunities (Borthwick-Duffy and Eyman 1990;Bromley and Blacher 1991;Eisenhower et al 2005;Pearson et al 2000;Seltzer and Krauss 2001). Parents of individuals with ID and comorbid disorders endorse elevated parenting stress (Baker et al 2002;Baker et al 2010;Blacher and McIntyre 2006;Herring et al 2006;McIntyre et al 2002) and an increased need for services (Douma et al 2006).…”

“…Since comorbid disorders tend to have negative long-term effects on various outcomes or children with ID and their families, they are an important target for early intervention (Baker et al 2002;Baker et al 2010;Blacher and McIntyre 2006;Eisenhower et al 2005;Herring et al 2006;McIntyre et al 2002;Neece 2014;Pearson et al 2000;Seltzer and Krauss 2001). Currently there are limited interventions specific to children with ID and comorbid disorders.…”