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Annual research review: Infant development, autism, and ADHD--early pathways to emerging disorders
Mark H Johnson1, Teodora Gliga, Emily Jones
1Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK.
Insights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) share early developmental pathways. Research identifies infant behavioral and neural markers for both neurodevelopmental disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders research
- Pediatric neurology
- Child psychology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common neurodevelopmental conditions.
- High comorbidity exists between ASD and ADHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate shared developmental pathways in ASD and ADHD.
- To identify early behavioral and neural markers for ASD and ADHD.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal studies of infants at high risk for ASD or ADHD.
- Analysis of infant behavioral and neural data.
Main Results:
- Studies on siblings of children with autism identified early behavioral and neural markers for ASD.
- Emerging research indicates relations between infant measures and later inattention/hyperactivity symptoms in ADHD.
Conclusions:
- Early developmental pathways for ASD and ADHD show both convergence and divergence.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the early trajectories of these disorders.
Background:
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, with a high degree of co-occurrence.
Methods:
Prospective longitudinal studies of infants who later meet criteria for ASD or ADHD offer the opportunity to determine whether the two disorders share developmental pathways.
Results:
Prospective studies of younger siblings of children with autism have revealed a range of infant behavioral and neural markers associated with later diagnosis of ASD. Research on infants with later ADHD is less developed, but emerging evidence reveals a number of relations between infant measures and later symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity.
Conclusions:
We review this literature, highlighting points of convergence and divergence in the early pathways to ASD and ADHD.
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