Deficits in long-term memory are not characteristic of ADHD

To separate the influence of inattentiveness from memory, we examined savin gs scores on material previously learned in 53 children with Attention Defi cit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), 63 with a reading disability (RD), 63 wi th both ADHD and RD combined, and 112 controls. Children with reading disab ilities were impaired in their ability to remember previously-learned mater ial unless it was repeated over four trials, whereas children with only ADH D performed as well as the controls for material presented only once. Child ren with ADHD did perform poorly on three subtests that are sensitive to at tention/concentration. We conclude that ADHD is associated with impaired in itial learning due to attention deficits, but that long-term retention of l earned material is normal.