title: Autism spectrum disorder symptoms in children with ADHD: A community-based study.
abstract: This study examined the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in a community-based sample of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and non-ADHD controls. We also examined the relationship between ASD symptoms and ADHD subtype, ADHD symptom severity and child gender. Participants were 6-10-year-old children (164 ADHD; 198 non-ADHD control) attending 43 schools in Melbourne, Australia, who were participating in the Children's Attention Project. ADHD was assessed in two stages using the parent and teacher Conners' 3 ADHD index and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children IV (DISC-IV). ASD symptoms were identified using the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ). Unadjusted and adjusted linear and logistic regression examined continuous and categorical outcomes, respectively. Children with ADHD had more ASD symptoms than non-ADHD controls (adjusted mean difference=4.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8; 5.3, p<0.001, effect size=0.7). Boys with ADHD had greater ASD symptom severity than girls with ADHD (adjusted mean difference=2.9, 95% CI 0.8; 5.2, p=0.01, effect size=0.4). Greater ADHD symptom severity was associated with greater ASD symptom severity (regression co-efficient=1.6, 95% CI 1.2; 2.0, p<0.001). No differences were observed by ADHD subtype. Greater hyperactive/impulsive symptoms were associated with greater ASD symptoms (regression coefficient=1.0; 95% CI 0.0; 2.0, p=0.04) however, this finding attenuated in adjusted analyses (p=0.45). ASD symptoms are common in children with ADHD. It is important for clinicians to assess for ASD symptoms to ensure appropriate intervention.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: jessica.l.green@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Jessica Leigh
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rinehart
authors.affiliation: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Judith Lumley Centre, LaTrobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Jan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.affiliation: Child Development Service, Joondalup, WA, Australia; The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jongeling
authors.affiliation: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sciberras
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D066107:Social Skills; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior
keywords: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; Autism spectrum disorder