Ami Rints1, Tara McAuley2, Elizabeth S Nilsen1. 1. University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. 2. University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada tmcauley@uwaterloo.ca.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Given the role inhibitory control plays in both ADHD and communication, this study examined whether inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive traits mediate the impact of weak inhibitory ability upon the knowledge and application of pragmatic rules early in development. METHOD: Participants were 36 typically developing preschoolers and their caregivers. ADHD traits were assessed per caregiver report. Inhibition was assessed in children using a distraction task. Pragmatic language was assessed by asking children about hypothetical social situations (knowledge) and by asking caregivers to report on children's actual communicative behaviors (application). RESULTS: Individual differences in inhibition predicted both facets of pragmatic language development. Hyperactive-impulsive behaviors were a significant mediator of this relationship-but only with regard to children's ability to effectively apply pragmatic rules in everyday life. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that social communication difficulties in some young children are a downstream consequence of hyperactive-impulsive behaviors that arise from poorly developed inhibitory control.
OBJECTIVE: Given the role inhibitory control plays in both ADHD and communication, this study examined whether inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive traits mediate the impact of weak inhibitory ability upon the knowledge and application of pragmatic rules early in development. METHOD:Participants were 36 typically developing preschoolers and their caregivers. ADHD traits were assessed per caregiver report. Inhibition was assessed in children using a distraction task. Pragmatic language was assessed by asking children about hypothetical social situations (knowledge) and by asking caregivers to report on children's actual communicative behaviors (application). RESULTS: Individual differences in inhibition predicted both facets of pragmatic language development. Hyperactive-impulsive behaviors were a significant mediator of this relationship-but only with regard to children's ability to effectively apply pragmatic rules in everyday life. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that social communication difficulties in some young children are a downstream consequence of hyperactive-impulsive behaviors that arise from poorly developed inhibitory control.
Authors: Hugo Peyre; Cedric Galera; Judith van der Waerden; Nicolas Hoertel; Jonathan Y Bernard; Maria Melchior; Franck Ramus Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2016-11-08 Impact factor: 3.630