[Social skills in adults with late-onset diagnosis of ASD and ADHD]

Social skills (SS) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are typically affected.

To compare whether there are significant differences in the SS of adults diagnosed with ASD and ADHD.

77 adults (18 to 59 years-old), assessed at a private health center in the Valencian Community in 2024. The group diagnosed with ADHD included 38 participants, 22 were women (mean age 32 ± 12.3 years). The ASD group included 39 adults, 25 were women (mean age 33 ±10.6 years). All participants had a Total IQ >80 and had received prior psychological treatment for less than two years. SS were measured with a Social Skills Scale (EHS) developed. Using a nonparametric design (Mann-Whitney), we compared the medians of the two independent groups across the six SS dimensions and the SS global score. Differences by gender were also investigated.

Significant differences were observed in all SS scores between the groups, except for EHS III and VI. The p-values were 0.00* for the EHS I; 0.04* for the EHS IV and EHSV; and 0.01* for the global score. No significant differences were found according to gender.

The EHS scale may support the differential diagnosis between ASD and ADHD in adults. The average-to-superior intelligence profile of these adults is remarkable, including profiles of High Intellectual Abilities concomitant with ASD/ADHD. Future studies could expand the sample and check the relation of SS scores and anxious and depressive symptomatology or autistic traits and camouflaging scores.