Tourette Syndrome Plus - Education - ADHD and Children Who Are Gifted

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Information Section: Education
Article: ADHD and Children Who Are Gifted
Source: James T. Webb and Diane Latimer (1993), ERIC DIGEST #522
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ADHD AND CHILDREN WHO ARE GIFTED
ABSTRACT

This fact sheet summarizes information on children who have an attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD), are gifted, or are both ADHD and gifted. Fourteen diagnostic criteria for ADHD from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III are listed. A comparison of behaviors associated with ADHD and with giftedness is offered, noting the many similarities. Parents and teachers are urged to consider the situation and setting of problematic behaviors, noting that children with ADHD typically exhibit problem behaviors in all settings (both at home and at school) whereas gifted children are most likely to exhibit such behaviors in situations where they are bored or waiting for other students. Other differences noted include a long attention span (when interested) by gifted students and a greater variability in task performance by children with ADHD. Careful evaluation is urged for students who may be both gifted/talented and ADHD.

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Howard's teachers say he just isn't working up to his ability. He doesn't finish his assignments, or just puts down answers without showing his work; his handwriting and spelling are poor. He sits and fidgets in class, talks to others, and often disrupts class by interrupting others. He used to shout out the answers to the teachers' questions (they were usually right), but now he day-dreams a lot and seems distracted. Does Howard have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is he gifted, or both?

Frequently, bright children have been referred to psychologists or pediatricians because they exhibited certain behaviors (e.g., restlessness, inattention, impulsivity, high activity level, day-dreaming commonly associated with a diagnosis of ADHD. Formally, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) (American Psychiatric Association) lists 14 characteristics that may be found in children diagnosed as having ADHD. At least 8 of these characteristics must be present, the onset must be before age 7, and they must be present for at least six months.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER*

1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat (in adolescents may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness).

2. Has difficulty remaining seated when required to.

3. Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.

4. Has difficulty awaiting turns in games or group situations.

5. Often blurts out answers to questions before they have been completed.

6. Has difficulty following through on instructions from others (not due to oppositional behavior or failure of comprehension).

7. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.

8. Often shifts from one uncompleted activity to another.

9. Has difficulty playing quietly.

10. Often talks excessively.

11. Often interrupts or intrudes on others, e.g., butts into other people's games.

12. Often does not seem to listen to what is being said to him or her.

13. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities at school or at home (e.g., toys, pencils, books).

14. Often engages in physically dangerous activities without considering possible consequences (not for the purpose of thrill-seeking), e.g., runs into street without looking.

Almost all of these behaviors, however, might be found in bright, talented, creative, gifted children. Until now, little attention has been given to the similarities and differences between the two groups, thus raising the potential for misidentification in both areas_giftedness and ADHD.

Sometimes, professionals have diagnosed ADHD by simply listening to parent or teacher descriptions of the child's behaviors along with a brief observation of the child. Other times, brief screening questionnaires are used, although these questionnaires only quantify the parents' or teachers' descriptions of the behaviors (Parker, 1992). Children who are fortunate enough to have a thorough physical evaluation (which includes screening for allergies and other metabolic disorders) and extensive psychological evaluations, which include assessment of intelligence, achievement, and emotional status, have a better chance of being accurately identified. A child may be gifted and have ADHD. Without a thorough professional evaluation, it is difficult to tell.

HOW CAN PARENTS AND EDUCATIONS DISTINCTUISH BETWEEN ADHD AND GIFTEDNESS?

Seeing the difference between behaviors that are sometimes associated with giftedness but also characteristic of ADHD is not easy, as the following parallel lists show.

BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADHD (BARKLEY, 1990)	BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH GIFTEDNESS (WEBB, 1993)
1. Poorly sustained attention in almost all situations	1. Poor attention, boredom, daydreaming in specific situations
2. Diminished persistence on tasks not having immediate consequences	2. Low tolerance for persistence on tasks that seem irrelevant
3. Impulsivity, poor delay of gratification	3. Judgment lags behind development of intellect
4. Impaired adherence to commands to regulate or inhibit behavior in social contexts	4. Intensity may lead to power struggles with authorities
5. More active, restless than normal children	5. High activity level; may need less sleep
6. Difficulty adhering to rules and regulations	6. Questions rules, customs and traditions

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