Pragmatic language deficits in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The nature of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as described in the Fourth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association, 1994] indicates a potential association with language disorder, particularly in the area of social language skills (pragmatics). However, to date there have been relatively few studies examining this language-behavior relationship in children with ADHD. The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of social/pragmatic language deficits and to present a theoretical model of potential associations between pragmatic language deficits and ADHD. Previous studies of language skills in children with ADHD are examined within this theoretical framework and the clinical implications of the proposed association are discussed, (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.