Syntax comprehension in Persian-speaking students with ADHD

Abstract Background Syntax is one of the most intricate domains of language, and as such, offers valuable insights into language processing in typical and neurodiverse populations. The research aimed to compare syntactic comprehension in children aged 7–10 years with attention deficit hyperactivity...

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Main Authors: Armon Massoodi, Akram Ahmadi, Hanieh Haghjou, Marjan Larimian, Mohammadhasan Mazandarani, Hossein-Ali Nikbakht, Michelle Pascoe, Saba Ahmadzadeh, Faezeh Koohestani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06842-z
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author Armon Massoodi
Akram Ahmadi
Hanieh Haghjou
Marjan Larimian
Mohammadhasan Mazandarani
Hossein-Ali Nikbakht
Michelle Pascoe
Saba Ahmadzadeh
Faezeh Koohestani
author_facet Armon Massoodi
Akram Ahmadi
Hanieh Haghjou
Marjan Larimian
Mohammadhasan Mazandarani
Hossein-Ali Nikbakht
Michelle Pascoe
Saba Ahmadzadeh
Faezeh Koohestani
author_sort Armon Massoodi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Syntax is one of the most intricate domains of language, and as such, offers valuable insights into language processing in typical and neurodiverse populations. The research aimed to compare syntactic comprehension in children aged 7–10 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typically developing (TD) children. Methods The Persian Syntax Comprehension Test (PSCT) was administered to 70 children diagnosed with ADHD and 70 TD peers. Syntactic items measured by this scale were graded in complexity, and results were compared across the two groups. Results A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the two groups was found when comparing total PSCT scores that include simple, moderate, and complex structures. Among the obtained effect size values, the highest was for the difference between TD and ADHD children for complex syntactic structures (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI (0.38–1.06). In terms of the item-by-item comparisons, TD children performed significantly better on 58% of the items of the PSCT than children with ADHD. Conclusions Persian-speaking children with typical development in the 7–10-year age range outperformed children with ADHD on syntax comprehension. The most significant difference between the two groups was in the complex syntactic structures.
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spelling doaj-art-cb2283f2299d40b98e4d3ade032b60872025-08-20T02:17:58ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-04-012511810.1186/s12888-025-06842-zSyntax comprehension in Persian-speaking students with ADHDArmon Massoodi0Akram Ahmadi1Hanieh Haghjou2Marjan Larimian3Mohammadhasan Mazandarani4Hossein-Ali Nikbakht5Michelle Pascoe6Saba Ahmadzadeh7Faezeh Koohestani8Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesMobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesMobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesMobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesPopulation, Family and Spiritual Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesDivision of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur HospitalMobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesMobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Syntax is one of the most intricate domains of language, and as such, offers valuable insights into language processing in typical and neurodiverse populations. The research aimed to compare syntactic comprehension in children aged 7–10 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typically developing (TD) children. Methods The Persian Syntax Comprehension Test (PSCT) was administered to 70 children diagnosed with ADHD and 70 TD peers. Syntactic items measured by this scale were graded in complexity, and results were compared across the two groups. Results A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the two groups was found when comparing total PSCT scores that include simple, moderate, and complex structures. Among the obtained effect size values, the highest was for the difference between TD and ADHD children for complex syntactic structures (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI (0.38–1.06). In terms of the item-by-item comparisons, TD children performed significantly better on 58% of the items of the PSCT than children with ADHD. Conclusions Persian-speaking children with typical development in the 7–10-year age range outperformed children with ADHD on syntax comprehension. The most significant difference between the two groups was in the complex syntactic structures.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06842-zAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderComprehensionLanguage disorderPersianSyntax
spellingShingle Armon Massoodi
Akram Ahmadi
Hanieh Haghjou
Marjan Larimian
Mohammadhasan Mazandarani
Hossein-Ali Nikbakht
Michelle Pascoe
Saba Ahmadzadeh
Faezeh Koohestani
Syntax comprehension in Persian-speaking students with ADHD
BMC Psychiatry
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Comprehension
Language disorder
Persian
Syntax
title Syntax comprehension in Persian-speaking students with ADHD
title_full Syntax comprehension in Persian-speaking students with ADHD
title_fullStr Syntax comprehension in Persian-speaking students with ADHD
title_full_unstemmed Syntax comprehension in Persian-speaking students with ADHD
title_short Syntax comprehension in Persian-speaking students with ADHD
title_sort syntax comprehension in persian speaking students with adhd
topic Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Comprehension
Language disorder
Persian
Syntax
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06842-z
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AT mohammadhasanmazandarani syntaxcomprehensioninpersianspeakingstudentswithadhd
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