Association between autism symptoms and functioning in children with ADHD

Area of Science:

• Child psychology
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Pediatric mental health

Background:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are common neurodevelopmental conditions in children.
• Comorbidities between ADHD and ASD can complicate diagnosis and treatment.
• Understanding the impact of ASD symptoms on various functional domains in children with ADHD is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms and social functioning, mental health, quality of life, and sleep.
• To compare these associations in children with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 6-10-year-old children with (N=164) and without (N=198) ADHD was studied.
• ADHD was assessed via screening and diagnostic interviews (DISC-IV).
• ASD symptoms were measured using the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), with outcomes assessed using SDQ, DISC-IV, and PQL 4.0.

Main Results:

• Increased ASD symptoms correlated with higher rates of peer, emotional, and conduct problems.
• Higher SCQ scores were linked to increased internalizing and externalizing disorders, decreased quality of life, and more sleep problems.
• These associations largely persisted after adjusting for covariates, except for externalizing disorders and sleep problems.

Conclusions:

• Autism spectrum disorder symptoms are significantly associated with poorer overall functioning in children with ADHD.
• Identifying and managing ASD symptoms in children with ADHD is essential to mitigate exacerbated functional impairments.
• This highlights the need for integrated care approaches for children with co-occurring ADHD and ASD symptoms.