Associations Between ADHD Subtype Symptomatology and Social Functioning in Children With ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Comorbid Diagnosis: Utility of Diagnostic Tools in Treatment Considerations

• Published in: Journal of attention disorders 2021-04, Vol.25 (6), p.820-828
• Main Authors: Ng, Rowena, Heinrich, Kimberley, Hodges, Elise
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attention; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology; Autism Spectrum Disorder - complications; Autism Spectrum Disorder - diagnosis; Autism Spectrum Disorder - epidemiology; Child; Goals; Humans; Social Interaction
• ISSN: 1087-0547; 1557-1246
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054719855680

Objective: To assess associations between objective-/caregiver-report measures of attention functioning and social impairment among children with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and co-occurring ASD + ADHD. Method: Patients with ADHD (N = 27), ASD (N = 23), and ASD + ADHD (N = 44) completed measures of intellectual functioning (Wechsler tests) and attention functioning (Continuous Performance Test–Second Edition [CPT-II]) as part of a neurocognitive assessment. Caregivers completed the Conners Third Edition to assess day-to-day inattentiveness, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) to assess social functioning. Results: Among patients with ADHD, attention measures contributed to 48% of the variance in total SRS scores, with caregiver-reported hyperactivity/impulsivity as the strongest factor. In contrast, among those with ASD + ADHD, attention measures accounted for 40% of the variance, largely due to inattention problems. No associations between domains were observed among patients with ASD. Conclusion: Differential ADHD symptoms are associated with social impairment among children with ADHD versus ASD + ADHD; whereas, no associations were observed among those with ASD.