Evidence of overdiagnosis in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) based on neuropsychological evaluation: a study in Chilean students

Abstract

Objective: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common learning difficulties in Chilean schools. It is characterized by an atypical functioning pattern in attention and inhibition, strongly compromising other executive functions. One of the challenges posed by this disorder is the diagnosis process, which is often not sufficiently accurate. The intention is to study the distribution of two students samples, with and without ADHD, diagnosed by a behavioral observation scale through the evaluation of attention, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility executive functions. Method: This study evaluated 132 students, 66 with ADHD and 66 without ADHD, considering the attention, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility variables of a school in the city of Concepción in Chile. Cognitive performance was contrasted with the diagnoses, and students were regrouped in the disorder known subtypes. Results: The neuropsychological evaluation showed that in the ADHD group, there were students who did not meet the diagnostic criteria to be included in the group. A similar phenomenon was observed in the group without ADHD. In both the groups, the neuropsychological evaluation of attention and inhibition was useful in providing a more certain dignosis and in determining the subtype to which each student detected with ADHD belonged. Cognitive flexibility was only useful in differentiating betwen the subjects with and without ADHD. Conclusions: In both the groups studied, it was possible to find misdiagnosed subjects; the overdiagnosis was 43,93 % in the ADHD group, while the under-diagnosis was 42,42 % in the group without ADHD.