Parents' and teachers' reports of executive function deficits at different chronological ages for children diagnosed with ADHD

Some theories of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have suggested that a deficit in Executive Function (EF) may underlie this disorder. The present study used a new behavioural rating scale to explore executive functioning in children with ADHD in two different settings and at different stages of development. The Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function samples children's everyday executive skills in their natural settings through parent and teacher reports. This study examined archival clinical data of 240 children between the ages of 5 and 15. A comparison of parent and teacher ratings revealed that teachers reported a greater range of EF impairment and greater severity of deficits. Teachers also indicated more change across the five age groups. The profile of executive dysfunction differed among the age groups, with the 7- to 8-year-olds exhibiting the least amount of impairment. Significant differences between genders and ADHD subtypes were found on some scales.