Investigating the Role of Inattention and/or Hyperactivity/impulsivity in Language and Social Functioning Using a Dimensional Approach.
Kaitlyn M A Parks, Janis E Oram Cardy, Tiffany G Woynaroski and 2 others
PMID 33249356WHAT IT FOUND
Young adults with more self-reported inattention or hyperactivity tended to understand spoken language less well and reported more social difficulties.
Inattention was most clearly tied to social problems. This was an association, not a treatment effect.
Key findings
01Higher total inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity scores were associated with lower receptive language scores, but not with expressive language scores.
02Both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity were associated with lower receptive language scores, while neither was associated with expressive language scores.
03Inattention was uniquely associated with greater social difficulties and lower social competence, while hyperactivity/impulsivity was not.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was 98 young adults recruited from a psychology student pool, mostly without an ADHD diagnosis, so the results may not apply to children, older adults, or people with clinically diagnosed ADHD. Only four participants reported an ADHD diagnosis, and 16 scored in the at-risk range on the ASRS, so the findings describe a mostly subclinical distribution. The study used self-report questionnaires for attention and social function, and the authors note that ASRS items may also tap social function and that social measures may overlap with other conditions. The design measured variables at one time, so it cannot show that attention symptoms cause language or social problems. Standardized language tasks may place demands on attention, planning, and inhibition, so lower language scores could reflect task demands rather than language ability alone. No treatment was given, so the study cannot support any intervention effect.
Declared interests
The supplied text does not report funding sources or author conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these associations as proof that attention symptoms cause language or social problems, or that treating attention will improve them. The study measured young adults at one time, mostly without an ADHD diagnosis, using self-report and standardized tests, so it cannot show cause or treatment benefit.