ADHD, IQ, and Giftedness

Summary

In this commentary, Russ Barkley explores the relationship between ADHD and intelligence, dispelling myths that individuals with ADHD are more likely to be gifted or highly intelligent. He presents research showing a slight negative correlation between ADHD severity and intelligence levels, with untreated individuals scoring about 7-10 points lower on average. Barkley also addresses the claim that gifted individuals may exhibit more ADHD symptoms due to boredom, finding little evidence to support this. He concludes that while ADHD and giftedness can coexist, they are distinct and do not significantly overlap.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The relationship between ADHD and intelligence has been a topic of discussion for over 30 years, with claims that individuals with ADHD may be more likely to be gifted or have high intelligence levels.
• 📉 There is a negative correlation between the severity of ADHD symptoms and intelligence, with individuals with ADHD scoring on average 7 to 10 points lower on IQ tests compared to the general population.
• 📚 The bell curve of intelligence in the general population shows that most people fall within the average range, but there are also those who are significantly above or below the norm.
• 💡 People with ADHD span the entire range of intelligence, from intellectually disabled to gifted, but on average, untreated individuals with ADHD tend to score slightly below the norm.
• 🤔 One theory suggests that individuals with ADHD may not perform well on IQ tests due to their symptoms interfering with test-taking behavior.
• 💊 Studies have shown that medication can improve test-taking behavior in individuals with ADHD, accounting for some of the IQ score differences.
• 🧠 Another theory is that ADHD may affect executive functioning, which is a significant component of IQ, thus impacting intelligence scores.
• 🔍 Research has also considered the possibility that some individuals with ADHD may have acquired brain injuries that could contribute to lower intelligence levels.
• 🙅‍♂️ Contrary to some claims, the evidence does not support the idea that people with ADHD are more likely to be gifted or have higher intelligence than others.
• 🎓 A study in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction found that the disorder of ADHD is the same in both gifted and non-gifted individuals with ADHD, but gifted individuals tend to have milder symptoms.
• 🤷‍♂️ The claim that gifted individuals are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADHD due to boredom in the classroom lacks substantial evidence and is considered unlikely.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Russ Barkley's commentary?

The main topic of Russ Barkley's commentary is the relationship between ADHD, intelligence, and giftedness, addressing claims about the likelihood of individuals with ADHD being gifted or having high intelligence levels.

What is the bell curve used to represent in the script?

The bell curve is used to represent the distribution of intelligence in the general population, with most people falling within the average range and others at either end of the spectrum, being either intellectually gifted or deficient.

What is the correlation between the severity of ADHD symptoms and intelligence level as mentioned in the script?

The script mentions a negative correlation of about 0.3 between the severity of ADHD symptoms and intelligence level, indicating that individuals with more severe ADHD symptoms tend to score slightly lower on intelligence tests.

How much lower on average are the IQ scores of individuals with untreated ADHD compared to the general population?

On average, untreated individuals with ADHD score about seven to ten points lower on IQ tests compared to the general population.

What are some reasons suggested in the script for the lower IQ scores observed in individuals with ADHD?

The script suggests reasons such as difficulties in test-taking due to ADHD symptoms, interference with executive functioning, and the possibility of some individuals with ADHD having acquired brain injuries that could affect intellectual capacity.

What was found in studies comparing gifted individuals with and without ADHD?

Studies found that gifted individuals with ADHD have ADHD symptoms that are still significant but slightly less severe than those in the general population with ADHD, and that gifted individuals without ADHD are less likely to have ADHD symptoms.

What does the script suggest about the overlap between giftedness and ADHD?

The script suggests that giftedness and ADHD are distinct and do not overlap significantly. When they do coexist, one is not explaining the other, and the presence of ADHD does not necessarily imply giftedness or vice versa.

What is the claim made in some circles about gifted individuals being more likely to have ADHD due to boredom in the classroom?

The claim is that gifted individuals, who may be unchallenged and bored in the classroom, are more likely to exhibit ADHD symptoms and thus be diagnosed with ADHD.

What does the script conclude about the validity of the claim that gifted individuals are more likely to have ADHD?

The script concludes that the claim lacks evidence and is not supported by research. In fact, gifted individuals are found to be less likely to show symptoms of ADHD.

What attributes of gifted individuals were discussed in the script, and how do they relate to ADHD?

The script discussed attributes such as learning characteristics, creativity, motivational characteristics, and leadership traits of gifted individuals. It concludes that these attributes do not overlap with ADHD and in many cases are opposite to the symptoms of ADHD.

What is the final conclusion of the script regarding the relationship between ADHD and giftedness or high intelligence?

The final conclusion of the script is that the claims made over the past 30 years about individuals with ADHD being more likely to be gifted or have high intelligence levels are not true. People with ADHD have the same range of intelligence as the general population, with a slightly negative average difference in IQ points.