Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders Features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and impairments on neuropsychological, tests of attention have been documented in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). To date, there has been a lack of research comparing attention in adults with ASD and adults with ADHD. In study 1, 31 adults with ASD and average intellectual function completed self‐report measures of ADHD symptoms. These were compared with self‐report measures of ADHD symptoms in 38 adults with ADHD and 29 general population controls. In study 2, 28 adults with a diagnosis of ASD were compared with an age‐ and intelligence quotient‐matched sample of 28 adults with ADHD across a range of measures of attention. Study 1 showed that 36.7% of adults with ASD met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual‐IV criteria for current ADHD “caseness” (Barkley Current self‐report scores questionnaire). Those with a diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder—not otherwise specified were most likely to describe ADHD symptoms. The ASD group differed significantly from both the ADHD and control groups on total and individual symptom self‐report scores. On neuropsychological testing, adults with ASD and ADHD showed comparable performance on tests of selective attention. Significant group differences were seen on measures of attentional switching; adults with ADHD were significantly faster and more inaccurate, and individuals with Asperger's syndrome showed a significantly slower and more accurate response style. Self‐reported rates of ADHD among adults with ASD are significantly higher than in the general adult population and may be underdiagnosed. Adults with ASD have attentional difficulties on some neuropsychological measures. Autism Res 2013, ●●: ●●–●●. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Autism Research Wiley

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Download PDF
12 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/wiley/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-symptoms-in-adults-with-75FenpgPTL
Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
1939-3792
eISSN
1939-3806
DOI
10.1002/aur.1283
pmid
23788522
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and impairments on neuropsychological, tests of attention have been documented in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). To date, there has been a lack of research comparing attention in adults with ASD and adults with ADHD. In study 1, 31 adults with ASD and average intellectual function completed self‐report measures of ADHD symptoms. These were compared with self‐report measures of ADHD symptoms in 38 adults with ADHD and 29 general population controls. In study 2, 28 adults with a diagnosis of ASD were compared with an age‐ and intelligence quotient‐matched sample of 28 adults with ADHD across a range of measures of attention. Study 1 showed that 36.7% of adults with ASD met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual‐IV criteria for current ADHD “caseness” (Barkley Current self‐report scores questionnaire). Those with a diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder—not otherwise specified were most likely to describe ADHD symptoms. The ASD group differed significantly from both the ADHD and control groups on total and individual symptom self‐report scores. On neuropsychological testing, adults with ASD and ADHD showed comparable performance on tests of selective attention. Significant group differences were seen on measures of attentional switching; adults with ADHD were significantly faster and more inaccurate, and individuals with Asperger's syndrome showed a significantly slower and more accurate response style. Self‐reported rates of ADHD among adults with ASD are significantly higher than in the general adult population and may be underdiagnosed. Adults with ASD have attentional difficulties on some neuropsychological measures. Autism Res 2013, ●●: ●●–●●. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Journal

Autism Research – Wiley

Published: Aug 1, 2013

References

  • The impact of ADHD and autism spectrum disorders on temperament, character, and personality development
    Anckarsater, Anckarsater; Stahlberg, Stahlberg; Larson, Larson; Hakansson, Hakansson; Jutblad, Jutblad; Niklasson, Niklasson
  • The broader autism phenotype as assessed by the Autism Spectrum Quotient
    Austin, Austin
  • Evaluation of seven‐subtest short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐III in a referred sample
    Axelrod, Axelrod; Ryan, Ryan; Ward, Ward
  • A critique of current diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Clinical and research implications
    Barkley, Barkley
  • The autism‐spectrum quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger syndrome/high‐functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians
    Baron‐Cohen, Baron‐Cohen; Wheelwright, Wheelwright; Skinner, Skinner; Martin, Martin; Clubley, Clubley
  • Patterns of psychiatric comorbidity, cognition, psychosocial functioning in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
    Biederman, Biederman; Faraone, Faraone; Spencer, Spencer; Wilens, Wilens; Norman, Norman
  • Selective attention deficits in persons with autism: Preliminary evidence of an inefficient attentional lens
    Burak, Burak
  • Processing speed in children with clinical disorders
    Calhoun, Calhoun; Mayes, Mayes
  • Evidence for a mechanistic model of cognitive control
    Casey, Casey; Durston, Durston; Fossella, Fossella
  • Attentional deficits in patients with closed head injury: A further study to the discriminative validity of the Test of Everyday Attention
    Chan, Chan
  • Inhibitory control in children with autism spectrum disorders
    Christ, Christ; Holt, Holt; White, White; Green, Green
  • Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Assessing attention and response control with the integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test
    Corbett, Corbett; Constantine, Constantine
  • An investigation of the test‐retest reliability of the Stroop Color‐Word test across two intervals
    Franzen, Franzen; Tishelman, Tishelman; Sharp, Sharp; Friedman, Friedman
  • The diagnosis and neuropsychological assessment of adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Scientific study and practical guidelines
    Gallagher, Gallagher; Blader, Blader
  • Autism and ADHD: How far have we come in the comorbidity debate?
    Gargaro, Gargaro; Rinehart, Rinehart; Bradshaw, Bradshaw; Tonge, Tonge; Sheppard, Sheppard
  • Sustained attention in children with autism
    Garretson, Garretson; Fein, Fein; Waterhouse, Waterhouse
  • Co‐morbidity of Asperger Syndrome: A preliminary report
    Ghaziuddin, Ghaziuddin; Weidmer‐Mikhail, Weidmer‐Mikhail; Ghaziuddin, Ghaziuddin
  • Subtle executive impairments in children with autism and children with ADHD
    Goldberg, Goldberg; Mostofsky, Mostofsky; Cutting, Cutting; Mahone, Mahone; Astor, Astor
  • The comorbidity of pervasive developmental disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Results of a retrospective chart review
    Goldstein, Goldstein; Schwebach, Schwebach
  • Practice parameter for the use of stimulant medication in the treatment of children, adolescents and adults
    Greenhill, Greenhill; Pliszka, Pliszka; Dulcan, Dulcan; Bernet, Bernet; Arnold, Arnold
  • How specific are executive function deficits in attention hyperactivity disorder and autism?
    Guerts, Guerts; Verte, Verte; Oosterlaan, Oosterlaan; Roeyers, Roeyers; Sargeant, Sargeant
  • Executive function deficits in autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Examining profiles across domains and ages
    Happe, Happe; Booth, Booth; Charlton, Charlton; Hughes, Hughes
  • Executive dysfunction in autism
    Hill, Hill
  • Executive processes in Asperger syndrome: Patterns of performance in a multiple case series
    Hill, Hill; Bird, Bird
  • Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal intelligence autism spectrum disorders
    Hofvander, Hofvander; Delorme, Delorme; Chaste, Chaste; Nyde, Nyde; Wentz, Wentz
  • ADHD, Asperger syndrome and high‐functioning autism
    Holtmann, Holtmann; Bolte, Bolte; Poustka, Poustka
  • A meta‐analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of the Stroop Colour and Word Test with children
    Homack, Homack; Riccio, Riccio
  • Differential diagnosis between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and pervasive developmental disorder‐not otherwise specified
    Jensen, Jensen; Larrieu, Larrieu; Mack, Mack
  • Dissociation in performance of children with ADHD and high‐functioning autism on a task of sustained attention
    Johnson, Johnson; Robertson, Robertson; Kelly, Kelly; Silk, Silk; Barry, Barry
  • Response inhibition in adults with autism spectrum disorder compared to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
    Johnston, Johnston; Madden, Madden; Bramham, Bramham; Russell, Russell
  • Assessing AD/HD in college students: Psychometric properties of the Barkley self‐report form
    Ladner, Ladner; Schulenber, Schulenber; Smith, Smith; Dunaway, Dunaway
  • Treatment of anxiety in autism spectrum disorders using cognitive behaviour therapy: A systematic review
    Lang, Lang; Regester, Regester; Lauderdale, Lauderdale; Ashbaugh, Ashbaugh; Haring, Haring
  • Autism diagnostic observation schedule: A standardized observation of communicative and social behavior
    Lord, Lord; Rutter, Rutter; Goode, Goode; Heemsbergen, Heemsbergen; Jordan, Jordan
  • Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised: A revised version of a diagnostic interview for caregivers of individuals with possible pervasive developmental disorders
    Lord, Lord; Rutter, Rutter; Le Couteur, Le Couteur
  • How unspecified are disorders of children with a pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified?
    Luteijn, Luteijn; Serra, Serra; Jackson, Jackson; Steenhuis, Steenhuis; Althaus, Althaus
  • Validity of self‐report and informant rating scales of adult ADHD symptoms in comparison with a semistructured diagnostic interview
    Magnusson, Magnusson; Smari, Smari; Sigurdardottir, Sigurdardottir; Baldursson, Baldursson; Sigmundsson, Sigmundsson; Kristjansson, Kristjansson; Sigurdardottir, Sigurdardottir; Hreidarson, Hreidarson; Sigurbjornsdottir, Sigurbjornsdottir; Gudmundsson, Gudmundsson
  • Differential diagnosis of ADHD: Are objective measures of attention, impulsivity, and activity level helpful?
    Matier‐Sharma, Matier‐Sharma; Perachio, Perachio; Newcorn, Newcorn; Sharma, Sharma; Halperin, Halperin
  • Neuropsychologic functioning in autism: Profile of a complex information processing disorder
    Minshew, Minshew; Goldstein, Goldstein; Siegel, Siegel
  • Adults with autism spectrum disorders and ADHD neuropsychological aspects
    Nyden, Nyden; Niklasson, Niklasson; Stahlberg, Stahlberg; Anckarsater, Anckarsater; Wentz, Wentz
  • Autism: A disorder of directed attention
    Ornitz, Ornitz
  • Brief report: Specific executive function profiles in three neurodevelopmental disorders
    Ozonoff, Ozonoff; Jenssen, Jenssen
  • Attentional capacities in children with autism: Is there a general deficit in shifting focus?
    Pascualvaca, Pascualvaca; Fantie, Fantie; Papageorgiou, Papageorgiou; Mirsky, Mirsky
  • Detection of malingering in assessment of adult ADHD
    Quinn, Quinn
  • When is the brain enlarged in autism? A meta‐analysis of all brain size reports
    Redcay, Redcay; Courchesne, Courchesne
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy for ADHD in medically treated adults with continued symptoms
    Safren, Safren; Otto, Otto; Sprich, Sprich; Winett, Winett; Wilens, Wilens; Biederman, Biederman
  • Impact of comorbid autism spectrum disorders on stimulant response in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A retrospective and prospective effectiveness study
    Santosh, Santosh; Baird, Baird; Pityaratstian, Pityaratstian; Tavare, Tavare; Gringras, Gringras
  • Neuropsychological performance in adult ADHD: Meta‐analysis of empirical data
    Schoechlin, Schoechlin; Engel, Engel
  • Glucose metabolic correlates of continuous performance test performance in adults with a history of infantile autism, schizophrenics, and controls
    Siegel, Siegel; Nuechterlein, Nuechterlein; Abel, Abel; Wu, Wu; Buchsbaum, Buchsbaum
  • Prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD: Meta‐analysis
    Simon, Simon; Czobor, Czobor; Balint, Balint; Meszaros, Meszaros; Bitter, Bitter
  • Inhibition, flexibility, working memory and planning in autism spectrum disorders with and without comorbid ADHD‐symptoms
    Sinzig, Sinzig; Morsch, Morsch; Bruning, Bruning; Schmidt, Schmidt; Lehmkuhl, Lehmkuhl
  • Is attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults avalid disorder?
    Spencer, Spencer; Biederman, Biederman; Wilens, Wilens; Faraone, Faraone
  • Adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A controversial diagnosis
    Spencer, Spencer; Biederman, Biederman; Wilens, Wilens; Faraone, Faraone
  • Spatial working memory deficits in autism
    Steele, Steele; Minshew, Minshew; Luna, Luna; Sweeney, Sweeney
  • Autism spectrum disorders in children with normal intelligence levels: Associated impairments and subgroups
    Sturm, Sturm; Fernell, Fernell; Gillberg, Gillberg
  • Advantages of the multiple case series approach to the study of cognitive deficits in autism spectrum disorder
    Towgood, Towgood; Meuwese, Meuwese; Gilbert, Gilbert; Tuner, Tuner; Burgess, Burgess
  • Letter cancellation performance across adult life‐span
    Uttl, Uttl; Pilkenton‐Taylor, Pilkenton‐Taylor
  • Cognitive flexibility in ASD: Task switching with emotional faces
    Vries de, Vries de; Geurts, Geurts
  • Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults
    Wilens, Wilens; Faraone, Faraone; Biederman, Biederman
  • The clinical necessity for assessing Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) symptoms in children with high functioning Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
    Yoshida, Yoshida; Uchiyama, Uchiyama