To summarize it: If a child has a mild intellectual delay, can he or she still be diagnosed with ADHD?

The answer is yes.

The point that you make is that if the work is at an acadmic level that is beyond the student, then he or she may not pay attention well.

I always think of this analogy: if I were put in a Cantonese language physics class, I wouldn’t pay attention well. Why? Because I wouldn’t understand a thing!

However, if the academic work is provided at the appropriate level for the individual, he or she may still exhibit ADHD symptoms or the full diagnosis. If he or she does, then medication may be helpful.

This is where a full psychological assessment is crucial, to establish the proper educational planning.

This is also where a proper ADHD assessment is crucial, because if there is still ADHD, the child needs ADHD treatment in addition to educational modifications.

I hope this helps.

There seems to be a great divide between delay vs adhd and if it is delay one should not medicate for adhd. I think this is very concerning especially when one is only mildly delayed and therefore able to learn with guidance, however if the attentional difficulties are not treated appropriately the child’s learning may be further compromised. What are your thoughts about this apparent divide??

I am asking b/c one of my student collegues along with her supervisor just advised a parent of their opinion that her child does not have adhd but rather that the attentional problems are due to his mild delay. The child was diagnosed by his peadiatrician, and was on ritalin. Apparently the school expectations were too advanced for him; although I agree that the expectations must match his ability I am uneasy about not diagnosins adhd with delay.
Thanks