BACKGROUND: Attention deficits in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not well understood. This study sought to determine: 1) the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in young children with ASD, typical development (TD), and developmental delay (DD) and 2) the association between ADHD symptoms and cognitive and behavioral functioning in children with ASD. METHOD: ADHD symptoms, defined according to Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) hyperactivity subscale scores, were compared across children aged 2-5 from a large case-control study with ASD (n=548), TD (n=423), and DD (n=180). Inattention and hyperactivity items within this subscale were also explored. Within the ASD group, linear and logistic regression were used to examine how ADHD symptoms were associated with cognition as assessed by the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and adaptive functioning as assessed by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. RESULTS: Mean hyperactivity subscale scores were lowest in children with TD (mean=3.19), higher in children with DD (12.3), and highest in children with ASD (18.2; between-group p<0.001). Among children with ASD, significant associations were observed with higher ADHD symptoms and poorer adaptive and cognitive functioning (adjusted beta for hyperactivity score in association with: Vineland composite = -5.63, p=0.0005; Mullen visual reception scale = -2.94, p=0.02; for the highest vs. lowest quartile of hyperactivity score, odds of lowest quintile of these scores was approximately doubled). Exploratory analyses highlighted associations with inattention-related items specifically. CONCLUSION: These results suggest ADHD symptoms may play a key role in the functioning of young children with ASD.
BACKGROUND: Attention deficits in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not well understood. This study sought to determine: 1) the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in young children with ASD, typical development (TD), and developmental delay (DD) and 2) the association between ADHD symptoms and cognitive and behavioral functioning in children with ASD. METHOD: ADHD symptoms, defined according to Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) hyperactivity subscale scores, were compared across children aged 2-5 from a large case-control study with ASD (n=548), TD (n=423), and DD (n=180). Inattention and hyperactivity items within this subscale were also explored. Within the ASD group, linear and logistic regression were used to examine how ADHD symptoms were associated with cognition as assessed by the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and adaptive functioning as assessed by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. RESULTS: Mean hyperactivity subscale scores were lowest in children with TD (mean=3.19), higher in children with DD (12.3), and highest in children with ASD (18.2; between-group p<0.001). Among children with ASD, significant associations were observed with higher ADHD symptoms and poorer adaptive and cognitive functioning (adjusted beta for hyperactivity score in association with: Vineland composite = -5.63, p=0.0005; Mullen visual reception scale = -2.94, p=0.02; for the highest vs. lowest quartile of hyperactivity score, odds of lowest quintile of these scores was approximately doubled). Exploratory analyses highlighted associations with inattention-related items specifically. CONCLUSION: These results suggest ADHD symptoms may play a key role in the functioning of young children with ASD.
Authors: Anne Wheeler; Melissa Raspa; Carla Bann; Ellen Bishop; David Hessl; Pat Sacco; Donald B Bailey Journal: Am J Med Genet A Date: 2013-11-25 Impact factor: 2.802
Authors: Jason Brinkley; Laura Nations; Ruth K Abramson; Alicia Hall; Harry H Wright; Robin Gabriels; John R Gilbert; Margaret A O Pericak-Vance; Michael L Cuccaro Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2006-12-21
Authors: Jean-Baptiste Pingault; Richard E Tremblay; Frank Vitaro; René Carbonneau; Christophe Genolini; Bruno Falissard; Sylvana M Côté Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2011-07-28 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Benjamin B Lahey; William E Pelham; Jan Loney; Heidi Kipp; Ashley Ehrhardt; Steve S Lee; Erik G Willcutt; Cynthia M Hartung; Andrea Chronis; Greta Massetti Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2004-11 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Ovsanna T Leyfer; Susan E Folstein; Susan Bacalman; Naomi O Davis; Elena Dinh; Jubel Morgan; Helen Tager-Flusberg; Janet E Lainhart Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2006-10
Authors: Rachel Reetzke; Vini Singh; Ji Su Hong; Calliope B Holingue; Luther G Kalb; Natasha N Ludwig; Deepa Menon; Danika L Pfeiffer; Rebecca J Landa Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-09-06