Deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP) syndrome: neuropsychological profile

Deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP) syndrome is a disorder that has still not been very well defined, since its particular characteristics lead to confusion when it comes to delimiting a differential diagnosis with neurodevelopmental disorders. For this reason, in this work we offer a description of the characteristic neuropsychological profile. Twenty-two children (11 boys and 11 girls) between 9 and 18 years of age were evaluated. Eligibility criterion: a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with involvement of motor coordination according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. A battery was administered in order to evaluate the intelligence, attention, executive functions, visuospatial and perceptive functions, as well as the psychological profile. The neuropsychological profile of this clinical group showed an intelligence quotient above the lower limit of what can be considered normal and difficulties in the perception and identification of shapes, as well as very slow reaction and task realisation times. When added to motor clumsiness, all this results in deficient productions. There was also a high incidence of withdrawal behaviours and a tendency towards depression. The fundamental features, in addition to the disorders affecting attention and motor coordination, were the slow reaction and processing times, and the perceptive difficulties.