Dyslexia and AD/HD among Swedish Prison Inmates

The aim of this study was to replicate previous findings of an increased frequency of reading and writing disabilities among prison inmates in Sweden and Norway. Furthermore, we wanted to look into the comorbidity of AD/HD and dyslexia and their correlates, i.e. the extent to which the individuals had multiple problems and satisfied criteria for more than one psychiatric disorder. Forty-five inmates with Swedish as native language, age 21-52 years, were examined with interviews, academic achievement neuropsychological and personality questionnaires. Twenty-eight (62%) were diagnosed with dyslexia, in line with our previous study. Childhood hyperactivity was reported by 25 of the inmates (55%) and persisted into adulthood for half of these subjects. No differences between the dyslexic vs nondyslexic inmates regarding personality disorders were observed. The previously obtained socially deviant personality pattern among AD/HD inmates was assessment tests, replicated. When controlling for comorbid AD/HD only one (of 15) personality traits covaried with dyslexia: suspicion. Thus, a substantial number of Swedish prison inmates have reading and writing difficulties as well as AD/HD. There are unmet needs for early diagnoses of neuropsychiatric problems among juveniles at risk, and for remediation of these difficulties among prison inmates.