Examining the autistic traits in children and adolescents diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and their parents

Esra Okyar,Işık Görker

doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02703-z

Abstract

BackgroundAttention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are two of the most frequently-observed neurodevelopmental disorders. Autistic traits are detected frequently in children who have ADHD. This study aimed to examine autism symptoms in children diagnosed with ADHD and their parents; and also, to investigate parental risk factors that increase autistic traits in children. Besides the risk factors related to pregnancy, birth and developmental history were examined.MethodsTwo groups were created consisting of 66 children diagnosed with ADHD and 33 children not diagnosed with ADHD and their parents. Autism symptoms were screened with the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) in children, and Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) in parents. Also, Adult ADD/ADHD DSM-IV Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale and Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) were used to determine ADHD symptoms in parents.ResultsIt was determined that there were more autism symptoms in children who were diagnosed with ADHD than in the control group without ADHD. There were more autistic symptoms in boys and the presence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Although there were more ADHD symptoms in the parents of children diagnosed with ADHD, it was determined that they did not differ from parents in the control group in terms of autism symptoms. It was also determined that maternal and paternal ADHD symptoms were predictive for autism symptoms in children. It was also shown that maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with more autistic traits.ConclusionASD and ADHD show high levels of comorbidity. The etiology remains unclear. Both ADHD and ASD show strong hereditary transition. We found that maternal and paternal ADHD symptoms predict autism symptoms in children with ADHD. However, more studies are needed to reveal the etiology.

Highlights

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are two of the most frequently-observed neurodevelopmental disorders
We found that maternal and paternal ADHD symptoms predict autism symptoms in children with ADHD
The inclusion of fathers is the powerful aspect of our study. In summary, it was found in the present study that children with ADHD had more autistic traits than nonADHD controls

Summary

Introduction

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are two of the most frequently-observed neurodevelopmental disorders. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are two of the most frequent neurodevelopmental disorders detected in children [1]. The prevalence of ASD is 1%, while the prevalence of ADHD is approximately 5% [2] Both disorders have attention problems, difficulty in peer communication, impulsivity and varying degrees of hyperactivity, which cause important behavioral, academic, emotional and adaptive problems at school, home and other environments [3]. Both disorders are seen more frequently in boys [4]. The comorbidity of ADHD and ASD was associated with lower quality of life [5]

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