Neurocognitive Profiles of Twice-Exceptional Children with Intellectual Giftedness and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Twice-exceptional children with ADHD (2e-ADHD) exhibit unique neuropsychological profiles that combine strengths and weaknesses. This study compared the cognitive performance of 59 children aged 8-10 years, categorized as Intellectually Gifted (IG), ADHD, 2e-ADHD, or typically developing children. Results showed that 2e-ADHD children scored lower than IG children in sustained attention, episodic memory, and inhibition but outperformed ADHD peers in narrative memory. They also demonstrated performance comparable to typically developing children, except in auditory sustained attention. These findings underscore compensatory mechanisms associated with giftedness and highlight the need for targeted attention assessments to ensure accurate diagnoses and appropriate interventions.