ABSTRACT

Little is known about the characteristics of academic overachievers, children whose achievement significantly exceeds IQ. Correlates of overachievement (achievement test scores ≥ 1 SD above IQ), nondiscrepant achievement, and learning disability (LD; achievement ≥ 1 SD below IQ) were analyzed in 1,543 children (739 ADHD, 285 autism, and 519 general population), 6–16 years of age. Significant correlates of the reading and math achievement groups were diagnosis (autism greatest overachievement, ADHD greatest LD), IQ (lowest in overachievers and highest in LD), and Working Memory scores relative to the child’s IQ (close to or exceeding IQ in overachievers and lower than IQ in LD). Demographics (age, sex, race, and parent occupation) and parent and teacher ratings of psychopathology (e.g., behavior problems, anxiety, and depression) and personality characteristics (e.g., motivation and self-confidence) did not contribute significantly more to predicting overachievement and LD beyond that explained by IQ, diagnosis, and working memory. These findings suggest an underlying neurobiological etiology for both overachievement and LD.

摘要

对于学业成绩过高的孩子们，他们的成就知之甚少。对1,543名儿童（739名ADHD，285名自闭症和519名普通人群）的过分成就（成就测验得分高于智商≥1 SD），无差异成就和学习障碍（LD；成就≥智商低于1 SD）的相关性进行了分析，6– 16岁。阅读和数学成绩组的显着相关性是诊断（自闭症最大的过分成就，ADHD最大的LD），智商（过往成绩最低，LD最高），以及相对于孩子智商的工作记忆力得分（过高成绩和智商接近或超过智商）。低于LD中的IQ）。人口统计资料（年龄，性别，种族和父母职业）以及父母和老师对心理病理学的评分（例如行为问题，焦虑，和抑郁）和个性特征（例如动机和自信心）对智商，诊断和工作记忆所不能解释的过度成就和LD的预测没有显着贡献。这些发现提示了过度成就和LD的潜在神经生物学病因。