Measurements of attention deficits and impulsivity : a Swedish study of the Gordon Diagnostic System

The Gordon Diagnostic System (GDS) is a portable easily operated computerized tool developed to measure impulse control, attention and vigilance. In 1988, it was standardized for use among American children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the GDS for use among Swedish children. A clinical sample of 71 Swedish children, mean age 10.5 y, fulfilling the ADHD criteria according to the DSM-IV was compared with a control sample of 88 children, mean age 10.2 y, with no known psychiatric diagnosis. The clinical sample showed lower GDS scores in all age groups, with some exceptions. The GDS scores were not associated with gender, but strongly associated with age, especially in the control sample. The accuracy of the GDS referring a specific child to either of the samples was, as expected, not impressive. With respect to the practical usefulness, the GDS was well accepted by the children and parents in both samples. The findings in age variation and when comparing children with ADHD and controls are in agreement with results from other studies.