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Semin Speech Lang 2004; 25(3): 215-223
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-833669
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Concomitant Communicative Disorders

John A. Tetnowski1
  • 1Department of Communicative Disorders, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana
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Publication History

Publication Date:
10 September 2004 (online)

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The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and communication disorders is complex and often misunderstood. Misunderstandings arise in part because of definitions and diagnostic categorizations that change over the years and because of overlapping symptoms between diagnostic categories. In addition, many of the symptoms that are necessary for the diagnosis of ADHD are prerequisite skills required to perform well on standardized language tests. Consequently, it is difficult to know the exact prevalence of ADHD and concomitant communicative disorders, especially language disorders. Several hypotheses are developed that indicate why the differential diagnosis is so difficult.

KEYWORDS

ADHD - concomitant disorder - evaluation

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John A TetnowskiPh.D. 

Department of Communicative Disorders, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette

P.O. Box 43170, Lafayette, LA 70504-3170

Email: tetnowski@louisiana.edu

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