Alerting, orienting, and executive attention in children with ADHD

J Atten Disord. 2011 May;15(4):310-20. doi: 10.1177/1087054710366384. Epub 2010 Jun 7.

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the alerting, orienting, and executive attention abilities of children with ADHD and their typically developing (TD) peers using a modified version of the adult attention network test (ANT-I).

Method: A total of 25 children with ADHD, Combined Type (ADHD-C, mean age = 9.20 years), 20 children with ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type (ADHD-I, mean age = 9.58 years), and 45 TD children (mean age = 9.41 years) matched on age and intelligence to the ADHD group completed the ANT-I.

Results: As hypothesized, children with ADHD (n = 45) displayed significantly weaker alerting and executive attention than TD children (n = 45) but did not differ from TD children in orienting ability. Children with ADHD-C (n = 25) did not differ from children with ADHD-I (n = 20) on any of the three networks.

Conclusions: Results supported the growing body of evidence that has found alerting and executive attention deficits in children with ADHD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attention / physiology*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology*
  • Child
  • Executive Function / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intelligence / physiology
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Orientation / physiology*
  • Reaction Time / physiology