Abstract
The present study was conducted with the aim to identify comorbid psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (n = 40) and to compare those comorbidity rates to those in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 40). Participants were clinically referred children aged 7–18 years. DSM-IV classifications were used for the primary diagnosis (ASD/ADHD), while comorbid psychiatric disorders were assessed using a structured diagnostic interview, the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV, childhood diagnoses (KID-SCID). Twenty-three children with ASD (57.5 %) had at least one comorbid disorder, whereas 16 children with ADHD (40.0 %) were classified as having at least one comorbid disorder. No group differences were found with respect to this comorbidity rate or for the rate of comorbid externalizing disorders (ODD and/or CD). However, children with ASD had more comorbid internalizing disorders compared to children with ADHD. More specifically, children with ASD had higher rates of anxiety disorders, but not mood disorders. No associations between comorbidity and age or between comorbidity and the intelligence quotient was found. It is important for clinicians to always be aware of, and screen for, comorbidity, and to consider treatment for these comorbid disorders. In addition, research should focus on establishing valid and reliable screening tools as well as effective treatment options for these comorbid disorders.
Highlights
Children with autism spectrum disorders are characterized by their core deficits, impairments in social interaction and communication and repetitive stereotyped behaviors (APA, DSM-IV-TR 2000), but they suffer from many comorbid features such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and behavioral problems (e.g. Leyfer et al 2006)
The present study examined psychiatric comorbidity in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and compared this to a group of children with ADHD
Children with ASD did not differ from children with ADHD with respect to their overall comorbidity rate
Summary
Children with autism spectrum disorders are characterized by their core deficits, impairments in social interaction and communication and repetitive stereotyped behaviors (APA, DSM-IV-TR 2000), but they suffer from many comorbid features such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and behavioral problems (e.g. Leyfer et al 2006). For a full clinical picture of a child it is valuable to be informed with respect to his/her comorbid symptoms but often additional treatment options are more likely to be offered when a DSM-IV disorder is classified. While several studies have examined comorbid psychiatric symptoms in children with ASD Gadow et al 2005; Kim et al 2000), studies that have examined the presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders are less common, using standardized diagnostic interviews. We have identified ten of those studies (Table 1) In these studies, rates for at least one comorbid disorder vary between 63.3 % (Amr et al 2012) and 96.4 % (Mukaddes et al 2010). Studies differ with respect to the most common disorder that is found, and rates for each specific disorder vary considerably (Table 1)
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