ADAPTIVE SKILLS DYSFUNCTION IN ADD AND ADHD CHILDREN

Adaptive functioning was examined in children with Attention Deficit H yperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and a psychiatric comparison group of children with pervasive developmenta l disorders or mild mental retardation (PDD/MR). As assessed with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, adaptive functioning was well below average for all three clinic groups. (The PDD/MR group had the lowest adaptive functioning scores, although not statistically different fro m the other groups.) However, the level of adaptive functioning relati ve to IQ in the areas of Socialization, Communication and Daily Living was significantly lower for the ADD and ADHD groups. These deficits i n adaptive functioning that characterize children with ADHD and ADD ma y help explain the poor long-term prognosis of ADHD, suggesting that i ncreased attention should be paid to the assessment and treatment of a daptive functioning in individuals with ADHD and ADD.