Inattention, hyperactivity and speech delay at 2-4 years of age as a predictor for ADD-ADHD syndrome

Abstract

In the Jerusalem Institute for Child Development children with various developmental disorders at ages of 0-5 years are examined. Thirty-six children aged 2-4 years were examined by us and were found to have inattention, hyperactivity and speech delay with an IQ or DQ above 70 and were reexamined at 7-14 years of age. They were compared to a group of 27 control children. All children had a complete neurodevelopmental examination using the Touwen & Prechtel examination for Minor Neurological Dysfunction. They also had a Pollack tapper test for the identification of learning disabilities and the Conners parent's and teacher's hyperactivity rating scales. Of the 36 children from the research group 20 studied in special education classes because of behavioral disorders, inattention, and severe learning disabilities. They all had ADD-ADHD. There were 16 children in regular schools, of whom 9 had ADD-ADHD. In the control group only one child had ADD-ADHD. A very high number of the research group children failed in 2 or all 3 tests used in this study in comparison to controls. It seems that "soft" neurological signs with hyperactivity, inattention and speech delay may be early clinical signs of ADD-ADHD as 80% of the children with these clinical features developed ADD-ADHD during early school age.