Abstract
Introduction Substantial overlap exists between autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at multiple levels. Aetiologically, similarity exists in genetic liability for the two disorders. Phenotypically, comorbidity exists between autism spectrum disorder and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with rates varying between 28% and 92% and both groups have similar problems with social cognition. The aim of this study was to discuss behaviour profiles of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder on the parent PDD Behaviour Inventory. Materials and methods Parent ratings of children with autism spectrum disorder (with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder behaviours) were compared with parent ratings of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder behaviours who did not have autism spectrum disorder (the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder group) using the PDD Behaviour Inventory, a rating instrument that is agestandardised on children with autism spectrum disorder and which assesses both maladaptive behaviours and adaptive skills. Results The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder group’s maladaptive behaviours were rated as more severe than the autism spectrum disorder group, especially on those domains assessing fears and aggression. Further, the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder group was rated as having greater severity of fears and aggression when compared with those in the autism spectrum disorder group who also had comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder behaviours. By contrast, the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder group was rated as having better expressive language ability than the autism spectrum disorder group (especially when compared with those in the autism spectrum disorder group with comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder behaviours). It is hypothesised that the increased severity of fears and aggression in the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder group may reflect their relatively increased ability to communicate these problems to others. Conclusion These data extend findings from previous studies and suggest that a unique attention deficit hyperactivity disorder profile may exist for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on the PDD Behaviour Inventory.
Highlights
Substantial overlap exists between autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at multiple levels
The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder group was rated as having better expressive language ability than the autism spectrum disorder group
Comorbidity exists between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder (ADHD) with rates varying between 28% and 92%4 and both groups have similar problems with social cognition[5]
Summary
Substantial overlap exists between autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at multiple levels. Comorbidity exists between autism spectrum disorder and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with rates varying between 28% and 92% and both groups have similar problems with social cognition. Many of the studies that have investigated similarities and differences between the two groups have utilised either structured diagnostic interviews[4,8,9] or rating scales standardised on typically developing children[9,10] The former do not provide quantitative assessments on severity and the latter may have only a few items relevant to ASD and/or have skewed score distributions since they ask questions that are expected to be atypical in the general population. One study that did employ a variety of ASD-related scales to compare ASD and ADHD children[11] utilised instruments that are not age-standardised, emphasise aberrant behaviours and not adaptive skills, and which had, as its primary purpose, examining the classification accuracy of these tools
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