Erin Hawkins|Susan E. Gathercole|Duncan E. Astle|Joni Holmes
Language Problems and ADHD Symptoms: How Specific Are the Links?
symptoms inattention hyperactivity frequently cooccur language difficulties clinical community samples explore specificity strength associations heterogeneous sample 254 children aged 5 15 years identified education health professionals problems attention learning andor memory parentscarers rated pragmatic structural communication skills behaviour children completed standardised assessments reading spelling vocabulary phonological awareness single dimension behavioural difficulties including hyperactivity inattention captured behaviour problems strongly negatively associated pragmatic communication skills less evidence relationship behaviour language structure behaviour ratings weakly associated use structural language communication links direct measures literacy behaviour problems pragmatic communication difficulties cooccur sample impairments formal use language impact literacy structural communication skills tied less strongly behavioural difficulties one interpretation impairments executive function give rise behavioural social communication problems additional alternative deficits cognitive abilities impact development structural language skills