Visuospatial working memory underlies choice-impulsivity in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Little et al. (2015) compared school-age boys with ADHD to boys without the diagnosis.

They gave visuospatial working-memory tasks and choice-impulsivity games.

Then they used statistics to see if poor memory scores lined up with impulsive picks.

Lower visuospatial working-memory scores predicted more impulsive choices.

More impulsive choices then predicted higher parent and teacher ADHD ratings.

The chain was clear: weak memory → impulsive picking → worse ADHD picture.

Nevin et al. (2005) already showed kids with ADHD pick the quick small prize more often.

G et al. now explain why: the visuospatial memory system can’t hold the big-delay picture long enough.

Laposa et al. (2017) seems to disagree; their community sample found working-memory tests too weak to flag ADHD.

The clash fades when you see G tested only boys in tight lab tasks while M used broad clinic tests on mixed kids.

Cullinan et al. (2001) proves you can fix the problem: three boys learned to wait 24 hours when delays were stretched slowly.

Their single-case success fits G’s idea: boost memory support and impulsivity drops.

If impulsivity is driven by shaky visuospatial memory, don’t just reward waiting—strengthen the memory load.

Preview the delayed reward with pictures, keep it in view, or use brief rehearsal cues.

During math or writing, cut extra visual clutter so memory space is free for bigger delayed choices.