title: Do High and Low Extremes of ADHD and ASD Trait Continua Represent Maladaptive Behavioral and Cognitive Outcomes? A Population-Based Study.
abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are thought to reflect the high, symptomatic extreme of quantitative trait continua. However, extreme deviations in either direction on disorder continua, high and low, may both represent maladaptive behavioral and cognitive outcomes. We aimed to test this hypothesis.
  
  
  
  In a population sample of 378 children, ADHD and ASD traits were rated by parents on questionnaires that provide resolution at high and low extremes of the ADHD and ASD trait continua. ADHD and ASD traits were related to parent-ratings of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and tests of cognitive functioning using polynomial regression.
  
  
  
  The low ends of the ADHD and ASD trait continua were related to fewer behavior problems and better cognitive functioning than symptomatic ends.
  
  
  
  Studying the correlates of the low continuum ends may deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying adaptive behavioral and cognitive outcomes.
authors.affiliation: 1 Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.|2 Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.|3 King's College London, Medical Research Council Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, United Kingdrom.
authors.forename: Corina U
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Greven
authors.affiliation: 1 Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.|2 Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jolanda M J
authors.initials: JMJ
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.affiliation: 4 University of Groningen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Catharina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.affiliation: 5 Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martijn G A
authors.initials: MGA
authors.lastname: Lappenschaar
authors.affiliation: 1 Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.|2 Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Buitelaar
authors.affiliation: 1 Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.|2 Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nanda N J
authors.initials: NNJ
authors.lastname: Rommelse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D010641:Phenotype; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: ADHD; autism spectrum disorders (ASD); quantitative traits