Examining autistic traits in children with ADHD: does the autism spectrum extend to ADHD?
We examined to what extent increased parent reports of autistic traits in some children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are the result of ADHD-related symptoms or qualitatively similar to the core characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Results confirm the presence of a subgroup of children with ADHD and elevated ratings of core ASD traits (ADHD(+)) not accounted for by ADHD or behavioral symptoms. Further, analyses revealed greater oppositional behaviors, but not greater ADHD severity or anxiety, in the ADHD(+) subgroup compared to those with ADHD only. These results highlight the importance of specifically examining autistic traits in children with ADHD for better characterization in studies of the underlying physiopathology and treatment.
Phyllis Green and Randolph Cōwen Institute for Pediatric Neuroscience, Child Study Center of the NYU Langone Medical Center, 215 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Rebecca
R
Grzadzinski
Adriana
A
Di Martino
Emily
E
Brady
Maria Angeles
MA
Mairena
Matthew
M
O'Neale
Eva
E
Petkova
Catherine
C
Lord
F Xavier
FX
Castellanos
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior