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Autism severity as a predictor of inattention and impulsivity in toddlers

Kim Tureck1, Johnny L Matson1, Paige Cervantes1

  • 1a Department of Psychology , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge , LA , USA.

Developmental Neurorehabilitation
|July 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptom severity predicts attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in toddlers. Higher ASD symptom severity correlated with increased ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are common neurodevelopmental conditions in early childhood.
  • Comorbid presentation of ASD and ADHD symptoms is frequent, impacting diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
  • Understanding the relationship between symptom severity in these conditions is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the predictive relationship between the severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms and the emergence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
  • To assess this relationship specifically in a cohort of atypically developing toddlers.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 2300 atypically developing toddlers aged 18-37 months.
  • Employed the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT) Part 1 for ASD symptom assessment.
  • Used the inattention/impulsivity subscale of the BISCUIT-Part 2 to measure ADHD-related behaviors.

Main Results:

  • A significant positive correlation was found between ASD symptom severity and inattention/impulsivity scores (R² = 0.49, p < 0.001).
  • ASD symptom severity was a significant predictor of inattention/impulsivity (β = 0.70, p < 0.001).
  • Toddlers with more severe ASD symptoms exhibited higher levels of inattention and impulsivity.

Conclusions:

  • Findings confirm that the severity of autism spectrum disorder symptoms predicts the presence and level of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in young children.
  • These results underscore the importance of considering ADHD symptoms in the assessment and management of toddlers with ASD.
  • The study contributes to understanding the complex interplay of neurodevelopmental symptoms in early childhood.
Abstract

Keywords:
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderBaby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT)autism spectrum disordersinattention

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