This peculiarity in your child’s vocabulary may signal ADHD, according to a scientific study

In France, 5 to 8% of children would be affected by ADHD, namely an attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, which is defined depending on the individual by a attention deficit, motor hyperactivity and impulsivity. In a recent study published in The Biological Psychiatry, and co-written by Beate St Pourcainresearchers were interested in link between the ADHD symptoms in children and genetics.

In this sense, they studied more than 17,000 children under three on their vocabulary, and identified that the Genetics Affected Vocabulary Size, Literacy, and Cognitionand in fact increased the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD.

Genetics influences word production and understanding

“Some variations in language development may be linked to variations in the genetic code stored in our cells”has explained Beate St Pourcain. Which means that if your child has language difficulties, it may be influenced by genetic factors, responsible for language development.

Furthermore, the study reveals how the Genetics influences word production and comprehension from infancy to adulthood. To do this, the researchers analyzed the expressive vocabulary of more than 17,000 children in the early phase (15 to 18 months), and the receptive expressive vocabulary in the late phase (2 to years). It emerged that the more words a child produces in the early phase and the fewer words he understands in the late phase, the more the risk of ADHD increases.

Vocabulary Size May Reveal ADHD in Your Child

For Ellen Verhoef, first author of the study, these analyzes show to what extent vocabulary in the child in the early years should be considered. “This study shows the importance of vocabulary size, assessed during the first years of life, for future behavior and cognition, and highlights the need for increased data collection efforts during early childhood and childhood” she explains.

If you are a parent, the ADHD doesn’t have to worry you. But you now know that vocabulary can reveal attention problems in some children. So, don’t hesitate to monitor your little one’s cognitive behavior. This might say more than you think.