An Examination of the Impact on Functioning in Individuals with Co-Occurring ADHD and ID

Course overview

Using current diagnostic criteria, Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) appears to occur most with intellectual disabilities (ID). Despite evidence that ADHD is more common in children with ID, and that risk increases with increasing severity of ID, little is known of the clinical presentation of ADHD in children with intellectual disability (ID) because those with lower cognitive ability (IQ less than 70) are often excluded from studies of ADHD. Children with ADHD and mild ID appear to be clinically typical of children with ADHD except children with comorbid ID tend to present with more behavioral problems. This finding has implications for clinicians treating these children in terms of acknowledging the presence and impact of ADHD symptoms above and beyond ID and managing behavioral symptoms.