Ψυχάγειν Καβάλα Ψυχοθεραπεία

The WISC intelligence scale as a factor in differential diagnosis between ADHD and ASD and in the design of Occupational Therapy therapeutic programs for executive functions in the Greek population. Oral presentation at 1^st  1ST International Congress of Occupational Therapy Research And Innovation in Practice 25-26 April 2026, Department of Occupational Therapy, DUTH, Komotini, Greece

Background: Comorbidity of developmental disorders often concerns professionals both for diagnosis or planning a therapeutic intervention. One of the most common cases is that between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (e.g. Maniadaki & Kakouros, 2017; Barkley, 2015). To this end, potential differences among the subscales of WISC-III were investigated between children with ADHD and ASD.
Methods: Within this context, WISC-III (Greek Standardization) scale was administered at a Mental Health Center. A clinical sample of children and adolescents with ADHD (N=103) and ASD (N=30) was selected by experienced professionals based on the criteria of DSM and ICD diagnostic manuals. The ages of the children ranged from 6-14 y.o. with a mean age of 9 years old and a Standard Deviation (SD) of 2 years. Independent t-test statistical analysis was used.   

Results: Significant differences occur in both verbal and practical subscales. In particular, there was no significant difference in Verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ), but significant differences in Performance Intelligence Quotient (PIQ) and Full Intelligence Quotient (FIQ) were found as well as on the subscales Information, Arithmetic, Coding, Symbol Search, Picture Arrangement, Object Assembly and Comprehension. All other subscales did not show any significant differences.

Conclusions: The theoretical models of Barkley (1997, 2012) and (Pennington & Ozonoff 1996) suggest corresponding occupational interventions in executive functions between ADHD and ASD. Occupational therapy programs about executive functions adapted in Greek population are discussed (e.g. Unstuck and On Target flexibility, self-regulation and organization, especially in ASD/ADHD, CO-OP metacognitive orientation about improving executive functions and daily performance).

Keywords: WISC, disorders, executive functions

Address for correspondence: Evagelos Zournatzis, Mental Health Center of Hospital Kavala, 65500 Kavala Greece, tel. +306972716361 e-mail: [email protected]