¶ … ADHD and Reading Difficulty
Learning Disabilities
The Nature of the Relationship between ADHD and Reading Difficulty
The Nature of the Relationship between ADHD and Reading Difficulty
There is substantial evidence showing a strong association between reading difficulty and attention problems in children and adolescents (reviewed by Greven, Rijsdijk, Asherson, and Plomin, 2012). This learning-related 'comorbidity' is believed to be primarily genetic in nature and several studies have presented evidence consistent with this theory. Since the association is so strong, some scientists have argued that the same genetic factor(s) is likely responsible.
Greven and colleagues (2012) agree that the evidence is indeed strong and therefore have a genetic origin, but not necessarily with the theory that a single stable genetic factor could be responsible. To support their argument, they point to evidence that suggests these traits are unstable over time. Although the authors discussed a recent twin study, which revealed these traits to be stable between the ages of 6 and 9, they argue that this is too short of a time span, and possibly too small of a sample, to determine whether the expression of these learning traits can be modified by genetic or environmental factors over time. In addition, they are concerned that ADHD could be playing a stronger role in the emergence of comorbidity, compared to reading difficulty, which may explain why they are expressed in the same children so frequently.
Summary
To further investigate these possibilities, Greven and colleagues (2012) analyzed a larger cohort of twins across a longer period of time to better understand how stable these traits are in relation to each other. This report will critique their research methods, findings, and conclusions in order to determine whether they have found sufficient evidence to support their hypotheses. If these traits are unstable and ADHD is a better predictor of reading difficulty than reading difficulty, then this may have a significant impact on how reading problems are addressed in these children in the future.
Critique
The use of a twin...
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