Effects of task and delay in solving mathematical problems in children with and without ADHD

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hiperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been related to self-control. In the present study, eight children were allocated to an “ADHD” group, while other six children were allocated to a “non ADHD” group. They were then submitted to five experimental sessions in which they had to solve math problems, according to one of two tasks. As in other studies with humans about effects of delay on choice, relative choice did not vary systematically with delay. Moreover, for the “ADHD” group, there were more fluctuations in preference between alternatives. The present results suggest caution in declaring that ADHD involves selfcontrol when delayed choice is used and open a discussion about the problems involved in using this model.