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Barkley's Model Of ADHD Summary

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In the first article, Behavioral Inhibition, Sustained Attention, and Executive Functions" Constructing a Unifying Theory of ADHD, by Russell A. Barkley, Barkley creates a model of ADHD associated with executive function deficits. These executive functions deficits are caused by a primary deficit in behavioral inhibitory control. Behavior inhibition is the ability to stop a response that would elicit instant feedback (positive or negative) along with the ability to stop a response that has already started by self-directing to a behavior that is goal oriented (Barkley 1997). According to Barkley, the inability to inhibit a response leads to executive function deficits in self-regulation, motor control, and working memory. Barkley’s model finds those with ADHD have the strongest deficits in behavioral inhibition, working memory, regulation of motivation, and motor control. Children with executive function problems often lack the abilities to handle frustration, start and complete tasks, …show more content…

These categories allow for three types of diagnoses: ADHD combined type (ADHD/C), ADHD predominantly inattentive type(ADHD/I), and ADHD predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type (Castellanos & Tannock 2002). In the second article, ADHD Combined Type and ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type Are Distinct and Unrelated Disorders by Richard Milich et al, Milch et al argues whether ADHD Inattentive type (ADHD/I) should be a subtype of ADHD as defined in the DSM IV or should it be given it’s own separate and distinct disorder. He concluded that the evidence showed that ADHD/C and ADHD/I are distinct and unrelated disorders with no defining features in common (Milich et al). Symptoms of ADHD/I included “sluggishness”, “hypoactivity”, “daydreaming”, and “lost in space”. Whereas symptoms of ADHD/C included “disinhibited”, “hyperactive”, and

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