Comorbid psychiatric symptoms in children with ADHD and/or AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORder (ASD)

Abstract

Introduction Co-existing problems are a rule rather than exception in child psychiatry, although rarely studied. Clinical experiences suggest that anxiety and depression are common co-existing problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting communication, social adjustment and cognition. Research also implies that the correlation between self-reports and other sources of information is relatively low. In clinical practice, it is frequently presumed that only one source of information is correct, usually from the parents. Objectives The objectives of the study are to view the self-reported mental health in a group of children with ADHD and/or ASD and its connection to global functioning. A second objective is to study the compliance between reports of mental health from the parents and from the child. Aims The aim of the study is to examine the connection between mental health and function in a group of children with ADHD and/or ASD. Methods The study includes 65 children (mean age=16) with ADHD ( n =24), ASD ( n =24) or ADHD/ASD ( n =17). Instruments used are the self-report Beck Youth Inventories Scale and the parent report Five to Fifteen questionnaire. The measure for adaptive functioning was the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. Results The study is currently in its final stage and we will present the results during the conference. We will report prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression and its correlation to global functioning, as well as the compliance between parent and self-reports. Conclusions The study emphasizes the importance of assessing psychiatric conditions in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.