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Executive Functioning Theory and ADHD

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Handbook of Executive Functioning

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the current diagnostic label for individuals presenting with significant problems with attention and/or impulsiveness and hyperactivity. While the disorder has not always been called ADHD, the history of the clinical syndrome of inattention and overactivity dates back over 200 years. Across the last 200+ years, different aspects of the disorder (hyperkinesis, inattention, etc.) have been emphasized yet there has been an increasing recognition of the heterogeneity of the disorder. ADHD remains among the most common reasons that a child is referred for mental health treatment and is increasingly a common reason that adults are referred for treatment. Individuals with ADHD display considerable variation in the degree of symptoms, functional impairments from these symptoms, domains of impairment, age of diagnosis, response to treatment, and psychiatric comorbidity. While not currently a symptom of ADHD, there is evidence that executive functioning (EF) deficits may be a defining aspect of the disorder and even that its two symptom dimensions actually represent dimensions of EF. This chapter presents an overview of EF theory and ADHD.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SUNY—Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Kevin M. Antshel

  2. Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Bridget O. Hier

  3. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Russell A. Barkley

Authors
  1. Kevin M. Antshel
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  2. Bridget O. Hier
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  3. Russell A. Barkley
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Correspondence to Kevin M. Antshel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

    Sam Goldstein

  2. University of Virginia Curry School of Education, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri

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Antshel, K.M., Hier, B.O., Barkley, R.A. (2014). Executive Functioning Theory and ADHD. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J. (eds) Handbook of Executive Functioning. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8106-5_7

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