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Does ADHD Affect Intelligence?
ADHD, Intelligence, and Dementia all influence Fitness for Duty.
Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV. The president created an internet sensation this week with his repeated claims that he had “aced” an “intelligence test” by being able to recall those five words in order. Mr. Trump considers himself a “stable genius”, yet his own first Secretary of State, among others, have called him a “f***ing moron”. While many speculate on the president’s ability to fulfill his official duties, he himself has raised being “cognitively there” as an issue this election season. The president’s documented ADHD thus encourages us to explore possible relationships between ADHD and intelligence.
ADHD and Intelligence
People with ADHD frequently become inattentive or “spaced out”, often blurt out comments without considering their context or impact, and are prone to turning in work that is late or incomplete. Others can misinterpret these behaviors as signs of stupidity. Problematic executive functions in those with ADHD, regarding directing attention, organizing information, and curbing impulses, contribute to behaviors that can create an appearance that these individuals are “unaware”, “clueless”, or have intellectual deficiencies.
