Quality of Life in Children Diagnosed with Specific Learning Disability or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Specific learning disability (SpLD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children which impair their academic and social functioning. Almost 20% of children with SpLD have co-occurring ADHD and vice versa. Both SpLD and ADHD significantly affect the quality of life (QoL), especially the psychosocial domains, of an afflicted child's life. Both disorders also impact the QoL of parents and siblings, causing disturbances to family functioning. SpLD even with optimum management often is a lifelong disorder. ADHD too may persist into adulthood causing disruptions to both professional and personal life. This chapter describes the QoL of Indian children with SpLD or ADHD, the factors which affect their QoL and steps that need to be taken to improve their QoL.

Association between autism symptoms and functioning in children with ADHD

“…It is well established that children with ADHD have greater internalising and externalising difficulties,5 6 more peer problems,6–8 greater sleep difficulties9 and poorer quality of life (QoL)10 11 compared with children without ADHD. However, the degree to which ASD symptoms contribute to, or compound, these difficulties remains unclear.…”