The concurrent validity of tower tests in children identified with ADHD and controls

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent disorder that continues to be the focus of research. Today, technology has propelled researchers to examine complex relationships among brain systems, attention, and executive functions. Two instruments, the Neuropsychological Assessment for Children (NEPSY) and the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Systems (D-KEFS), are purported to measure attention as a factor of executive functions, most specifically in their tower subtests. Since the relatively new tests provide normative data for children between the ages of 9 and 12, this study focused on this age for males identified with ADHD and a control group. The results did not reveal a linear relationship between these two instruments for achievement. Although achievement, first move, and rule violations were examined, only first move in the D-KEFS and NEPSY demonstrated a significant difference between children diagnosed with ADHD and those without ADHD. Implications for instructional strategies are presented.