Comparing explicit and implicit memory in children with attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder and matched typical developing children

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have problem in sustain attention that is necessary for learning. The purpose of present study is comparing explicit and implicit memory in children with attention deficit disorder and typically developing children. In present cross sectional study, fifteen children with attention deficit disorder compared with fifteen typically developing children in Abarkouh city (Yzad, Iran). Children should be recalled auditory presented word immediately and after a delay for explicit memory and recognize presented words that merged with non presented word for implicit memory. T- Test and ANOVA were used for analysis. Results show that children with ADHD have lower performance than typically developing children in explicit memory task (P=0.041) Implicit memory task performed similarly in both groups (P=0.343). Children with ADHD have deficit in explicit memory. We propose that education and rehabilitation strategy should be based on implicit learning.