OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to clarify the relationship
between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities.
METHOD: The authors assessed learning disabilities in a sample of 140
children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and in 120 normal
comparison children. They also assessed a sample of the probands' 822
first-degree relatives. RESULTS: The risk for learning disabilities was
highest among relatives of probands with both attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities. The two disorders did not
cosegregate in families. There was nonrandom mating between spouses with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities.
CONCLUSIONS: The two disorders are transmitted independently in families,
and their co-occurrence may be due to nonrandom mating. Attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder is likely to be etiologically independent from
learning disabilities.Abstract Teaser