Abstract:

As it is known, ADHD children have deficits on explicit memory tasks. However little is known about their implicit functions. The aim of this paper is to investigate implicit memory in ADHD children. We used the paradigm of Richardson-Klavehn and Gardiner (1996) in order to assess implicit memory. We compare a group of ADHD (6.5 years old) and a group of non-ADHD (6.4 years old) as control group. The differences between the two groups were significant (t=3,01, p<0.007) for voluntary conscious memory (the ADHD have deficits) both perceptual and conceptual implicit memory. ADHD group performed better at involuntary unconscious perceptual memory (t = -2,614; p=0,017). Based on those results, we can hypothesize that due to their impaired explicit memory processes ADHD children not only preserve their implicit memory processes but as a compensation of their neurological dysfunction these children may have a more developed implicit memory. This hypothesis needs to be tested more in the future.

Keywords: implicit memory, ADHD, preschool