title: Children with Autism and Attention Difficulties: A Pilot Study of the Association between Sensory, Motor, and Adaptive Behaviors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study aimed to compare sensory processing, motor skills and adaptive behaviors in children with a double diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (ASD+ADHD) with children with ADHD alone and to examine the association of sensory processing and motor skills with adaptive behaviors (self-care).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty children aged 5-14 years diagnosed with ASD+ADHD (n = 13) or ADHD (n = 17) were evaluated on their sensory processing and motor skills and adaptive behaviors. Analysis of covariance compared the groups on these dimensions. Correlation analyses examined the association between sensory processing and motor skills and adaptive behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to children with ADHD alone, children with ASD+ADHD had poorer skills in sensory processing (p < 0.001), motor (p = 0.001) and adaptive behaviors (p < 0.001). For all children, increased autonomy in self-care was correlated with better sensory processing (p < 0.001) and motor skills (p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with ASD+ADHD have poorer sensory processing, motor and adaptive skills than those with ADHD alone. Sensory processing and motor deficits were negatively associated with autonomy in self-care. Interventions aiming to improve sensory processing and motor skills and autonomy in self-care should become important targets for these children.
authors.affiliation: Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire (CHAU) Hôtel Dieu de Lévis, Lévis, Québec ; Département de réadaptation, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec.
authors.forename: Carolanne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mattard-Labrecque
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ben Amor
authors.forename: Mélanie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Couture
keywords: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; adaptive behaviors; motor skills; sensory processing