Naming speed as a predictive diagnostic measure in reading and attentional problems

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to describe and compare naming speed abilities in children diagnosed with either Reading Learning Difficulties (RLD) or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or comorbidity for both (ADHD+RLD). To examine the explanatory power of naming speed and ADHD symptomatology in predicting group associations (while controlling for gender and age), the “Rapid Automatized Naming and Rapid Alternating Stimulus Tests” (RAN/RAS) were utilized. A sample of 101 children (age range = 5–16 years) was divided into four groups: RLD (n = 14), ADHD (n = 28), comorbid (n = 19), and control (n = 40). There were statistically significant differences in RAN/RAS results among the diagnostic groups. Moreover, discriminant analysis revealed that naming speed tasks significantly predicted reading and attentional problems, especially at earlier ages. These results demonstrate the potential usefulness of RAN/RAS in the diagnosis of reading and attentional problems, particularly if the children are aged from 5 to 9.

KEYWORDS:

• RAN/RAS
• naming speed
• reading difficulties
• ADHD
• early childhood

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Region Government of Asturias under Grant FC-15-GRUPIN14-053 and a pre-doctoral grant from the Severo Ochoa Program under Grant BP14-030. We would like to thank Dr Stephen Loew for his contribution in the areas of language and style corrections.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Region Government of Asturias under Grant FC-15-GRUPIN14-053 and a pre-doctoral grant from the Severo Ochoa Program under Grant BP14-030.