Abstract
Recent discussions in the literature, along with the revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) (American Psychiatric Association 2013), suggest aetiological commonalities between the highly comorbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Addressing this discussion requires studying these disorders together by comparing constructs typical to each of them. In the present study, we investigate global processing, known to be difficult for participants with ASD, and Intra-Subject Variability (ISV), known to be consistently increased in participants with ADHD, in groups, aged 10–13 years, with ADHD (n = 25), ASD without comorbid ADHD (ASD-) (n = 13) and ASD with ADHD (ASD+) (n = 18) in comparison with a typically developing group (n = 22). A Copying task, typically requiring global processing and in this case particularly designed using equally complex stimuli to also measure ISV across trials, was selected. Oculomotor measures in this task proved to be particularly sensitive to group differences. While increased ISV was not observed in the present task in participants with ADHD, both ASD groups looked longer on the figure to be drawn, indicating that global processing takes longer in ASD. However, the ASD+ group fixated on the figure only between drawing movements, whereas the ASD- group did this throughout the drawing process. The present study provides evidence towards ASD and ADHD being separate, not-overlapping, disorders. Since the pure ASD- group was affected more by central coherence problems than the ASD+ group, it may suggest that neuropsychological constructs interact differently in different clinical groups and sub-groups.
Highlights
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication and social interaction, and repetitive or restrictive behaviours and activities [1]
The present study aims to (1) use process analyses with oculomotor measures to verify if global processing in ASD needs more time, (2) investigate how the presence of Attention Deficit-/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) interacts with and compares to ASD on oculomotor factors in a copying task, and (3) investigate whether increased Intra-Subject Variability (ISV) can be found in a copying task
Deficits in global processing were found to be associated with the ASD, not the ADHD factor
Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication and social interaction, and repetitive or restrictive behaviours and activities [1]. Attention Deficit-/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity [1]. Various theories have proposed explanations for deficits in and atypical processing native to ASD. These range in focus from mental states to executive dysfunction, cognitive complexity and control. Some theories, such as Weak Central Coherence (WCC) and Enhanced Perceptual Functioning, have focused on strengths and limitations of perceptual organization in ASD [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
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