Associations between Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A case report

Abstract

Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) and its comorbid, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are taking their toll on school children in Nigeria. Teachers and learning professionals are beginning to identify children with these learning problems. Children with these problems face many difficulties with their peers, teachers in school, their neighbours, and siblings at home. These difficulties border around low academic attainment, deficits in interpersonal relationship skills, perceived lack of acceptance, alienation, demoralization, low self-esteem, psychological distress, and poor overall mental health. Their academic, social, emotional, global self-concepts and psychological well-being are also affected. This case report explores the associations between SLD and ADHD in a 12-year-old school child (*Obi) who presents with SLD and ADHD comorbid symptoms and describes his experiences, difficulties, and progress throughout treatment. Observations, interviews, and psychological tests were used to obtain information from the client, his parents, and teacher. Result of observations and interviews revealed that Obi experiences difficulties in reading, written expression, and mathematics. Obi’s overall performance in the subtests of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) was very poor. His scores on the SNAP-IV Teacher/Parent rating scale revealed that he has ADHD (inattentive type, C-In =1.11). It was also revealed that both teratogens and cultural factors may have contributed to his difficulty. Findings showed that Obi’s mother’s use of a substance during pregnancy could have contributed to the development of Obi’s SLD, ADHD, or both. With guided discovery and support from Obi’s parents and teachers, and with consistent follow-up and evaluation by clinical psychology interns posted to Obi’s school, Obi can improve.

^{*This is not the real name. It was used to maintain confidentiality.}