Co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Articles

Music therapy improves engagement and initiation for autistic children with mild intellectual disabilities: A randomized controlled study.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy (MT) for children with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (ID) and explore whether pre-intervention quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) responses can predict outcomes. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 33 children receiving MT and 34 receiving an active control therapy. Participants received either MT or a non-musical social skills intervention for 45 min weekly over 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were measured using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS-2), along with the parent-rated Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) and video coding of social behaviors. Both conditions significantly improved in CARS-2 scores at 2 weeks and 4 months post-intervention, with no differences between MT and control conditions. No changes were found in SRS-2 scores. While both conditions showed reduced disengagement after intervention, only the MT condition showed increased engagement and initiation. Strong qEEG responses to social scenes and music predicted increased initiation, indicating its potential to help tailor interventions. These results support incorporating MT into standard services and further research on qEEG predictors.

Relationship between co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits and internet addiction among college students in Japan

Relationship between co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits and internet addiction among college students in Japan

Clinical and functional characteristics of co-occurring cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder among children and young adults

BackgroundTo examine clinical and functional factors associated with co-occurring cerebral palsy (CP) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). MethodsData were collected from the electronic health records of 994 patients with CP aged 3 to 26 years (59 % males) who received services from a U.S. hospital system between January 1, 2016 and July 1, 2021. CP, ASD, and other co-occurring conditions were abstracted using International Classification of Diseases - 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes, diagnostic summaries, and clinical descriptions. Bivariate and adjusted multivariable analyses examined the association between ASD, CP type, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, speech or language disorders, and mental or behavioral problems. ResultsPrevalence of ASD was 8.2 % among patients with CP. Patients with GMFCS levels III-V were less likely to have a diagnosis of ASD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.21; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.11–0.41). However, speech or language disorders (AOR = 6.00; 95 % CI, 2.14–16.81) and mental or behavioral problems (AOR =8.79; 95 % CI, 4.99–15.49) were associated with significantly higher odds of ASD. ConclusionsChildren and young adults with co-occurring CP and ASD have higher prevalence of clinical and functional impairments compared with counterparts with CP without co-occurring ASD. Screening for both conditions is necessary because of the high prevalence of ASD in this population. It is also necessary to implement specialized assessment procedures to decrease the risk of misclassifying or overlooking ASD among children and young adults with CP.

Suicide risk with ASD traits or ADHD traits in non-clinical young adults

The impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits on suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) remains inadequately explored. Hence, the present study aims to delve deeper into these intricate issues, contributing to a better understanding of these complex challenges among Chinese youth. The data of 90,882 participants was collected from 63 Chinese universities and colleges in Jilin, China. We aim to explore the risks of STBs on ASD, ADHD, and co-occurrence of ASD + ADHD by using the Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 items (AQ-10) and Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (ASRS). Propensity score matching (PSM) was implemented to balance demographical variables across the four groups. Binary logistic regression was then conducted to further analyze and compare suicide risk across the four groups, also accounting for sex differences. Suicide risks were significantly higher in the ADHD (OR = 1.24, p < 0.001) and ASD + ADHD(OR = 1.49, p < 0.001) traits group. However, there was no significant difference in suicide risk between the ASD traits group (OR = 1.00, p = 1.00) and the control group. The risk of suicide was significantly higher for females than for males across all four groups (p < 0.001). These results indicate the importance of screening for ASD + ADHD traits in young adults, especially females due to its higher risk of STBs. Further studies are warranted to delve deeper into this issue, emphasizing the necessity of formal diagnostic tests and directing focused attention toward addressing these complexities.

Co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Eating Disorders (ED): Understanding the Heterogeneity of Study Populations

Co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Eating Disorders (ED): Understanding the Heterogeneity of Study Populations

Implementation of the International Classification of Diseases 11th revision behavioural indicators for disorders of intellectual development with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder.

The classification of mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases 11th revision (ICD-11) includes a comprehensive set of behavioural indicators (BIs) within the neurodevelopmental disorders grouping. BIs can be used to assess the severity of disorders of intellectual development in situations in which standardised measures of intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviours are not available or feasible. This international study examines the implementation characteristics of the BIs and compares them to standardised measures for assessing the severity of intellectual impairment and adaptive behaviours in disorders of intellectual development and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The clinical utility of the ICD-11 and the fidelity of its application in international clinical settings were also assessed. A total of 116 children and adolescents (5-18years old) with a suspected or established diagnosis of disorders of intellectual development were included across four sites [Italy (n=18), Sri Lanka (n=19) and two sites in India (n=79)]. A principal component analysis was conducted to evaluate the application of the ICD-11 guidance for combining severity levels. Assessment using the BIs showed a higher proportion of individuals classified with mild severity, whereas the standardised measures indicated a higher proportion of severe ratings. Additionally, individuals with co-occurring ASD tended to have more severe impairments compared with those without ASD, as indicated by both BIs and standardised measures. Overall, the BIs were considered clinically useful, although more time and consideration were required when applying the guidelines for individuals with a co-occurring disorder of intellectual development and ASD. The principal component analysis revealed one principal component representing overall disorders of intellectual development severity levels. The ICD-11 BIs can be implemented as intended in international clinical settings for a broad range of presentations of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Use of the BIs results in similar severity diagnoses to those made using standardised measures. The BIs are expected to improve the reliability of severity assessments in settings where appropriate standardised measures for intellectual and adaptive behaviours are not available or feasible.

Conceptualizing Co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Gender Diversity in Adolescents: A Narrative Review

Conceptualizing Co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Gender Diversity in Adolescents: A Narrative Review

Intersectionality in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Literature Review on Co-Occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – Examining Therapeutic Approaches and Interventions

Purpose: To examine the intersectionality between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), focusing on the latest research into their co-occurrence, potential shared mechanisms, and implications for diagnosis and treatment.&#x0D; Methodology: A comprehensive literature search was conducted, focusing on studies published within the last 3-4 years on the comorbidity and intersection of traits between ASD and ADHD.&#x0D; Findings: Results reveal high rates of co-occurrence, with 30-80% of individuals with ASD also meeting criteria for ADHD. There appear to be shared genetic, environmental, cognitive, and neural mechanisms contributing to both disorders, potentially explaining this overlap. Despite the frequent co-occurrence, ASD and ADHD present distinct symptom profiles and behavioural challenges.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: Cognitive-behavioural therapy, social skills training, parental training programs, and stimulant medications are supported as evidence-based approaches for treating both ASD and ADHD. Targeting common mechanisms through combined treatment plans shows promise for improving outcomes. However, more research is needed to develop integrated, personalized treatment models tailored to the specific needs of this substantial subgroup of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. The intersection between ASD and ADHD traits warrants deeper investigation to better characterize overlapping and disorder-specific phenotypes, guiding targeted treatments.

Exercise Dependency and Overuse Injuries in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition, but current medications have limitations, pushing a drive for alternative approaches. Different exercise-focused approaches have shown promise, but concern has also been raised about individuals with ADHD showing greater risk of addiction, including exercise dependency. Using an online survey, we examined current exercise practices, including exercise dependency and the presence of overuse injury, which could result from overexercising, in 114 adults with ADHD. We found that most were regularly exercising. None were classified as exercise dependent, but 38.9% were deemed symptomatic nondependent. Hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were a predictor of the level of exercise withdrawal experienced, and the co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder was associated with greater risk of overuse injuries. The data indicate that ADHD may confer some greater risk of exercise dependency, aligning with previous studies investigating other addictions and suggesting further research is critical.

Autism Spectrum Disorder with Epilepsy: A Research Protocol for a Clinical and Genetic Study.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition affecting ~1% of people worldwide. Core ASD features present with impaired social communication abilities, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors, and atypical sensory responses and are often associated with a series of comorbidities. Among these, epilepsy is frequently observed. The co-occurrence of ASD and epilepsy is currently thought to result from common abnormal neurodevelopmental pathways, including an imbalanced excitation/inhibition ratio. However, the pathological mechanisms involved in ASD-epilepsy co-morbidity are still largely unknown. Here, we propose a research protocol aiming to investigate electrophysiological and genetic features in subjects with ASD and epilepsy. This study will include a detailed electroencephalographic (EEG) and blood transcriptomic characterization of subjects with ASD with and without epilepsy. The combined approach of EEG and transcriptomic studies in the same subjects will contribute to a novel stratification paradigm of the heterogeneous ASD population based on quantitative gene expression and neurophysiological biomarkers. In addition, our protocol has the potential to indicate new therapeutic options, thus amending the current condition of absence of data and guidelines for the treatment of ASD with epilepsy.

Access to Care Limitations: When Distance and Lack of Evidence Meet.

Jimmy is a 13-year-old adolescent boy who was diagnosed with Down syndrome (trisomy 21) prenatally. Jimmy is the only individual with Down syndrome in the small, rural community where he lives with his parents. He has mild sleep apnea, and his gross and fine motor developmental milestones were generally consistent with those expected among children with Down syndrome. At age 4, his parents raised concerns about his limited language, strong preference to be alone, and refusal to leave the house. Parents had observed his marked startle response to loud laughter and adult male voices. At age 7, his preferred activities consisted of dangling necklaces or shoelaces in front of his face and rocking his body forward and backward when seated. After limited progress in special education, speech, and occupational therapies, he was referred, at age 8, to a specialty center 3 hours from his home for a multidisciplinary evaluation. There, he received a diagnosis of co-occurring autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Over the last year, his repetitive behaviors have become more intense. He hits the side of his head with his fist and presses his thumbs into his eyes, causing bruising. Any attempts to remove his dangle objects are met with aggressive behaviors, including hitting, kicking, scratching, and elopement. At school, he refuses to complete work and sometimes hits his teacher. Aggression stops in the absence of educational demands. School staff informed parents they are not equipped to handle Jimmy's behaviors.Jimmy recently presented to the specialty center for developmental-behavioral pediatric and psychology support at the request of his primary care clinician. The developmental pediatrician discussed with Jimmy's parents the possibility of a trial of medication to address disruptive/aggressive behavior if there is not improvement with initiation of behavioral strategies. The psychologist began weekly behavioral parent training visits through telehealth, including prevention strategies, reinforcement, and functional communication training. The strategies have helped decrease the frequency of elopement and aggressive behaviors. Self-injurious behaviors and refusal at school have remained constant.Despite some stabilization, limited local resources as well as the lack of evidence-based guidelines for people with both Down syndrome and ASD have impeded improvements in Jimmy's significant behavioral and developmental challenges. His parents have become increasingly isolated from critical family and community support as well. In what ways could the clinicians and community support this child and his family and prevent others from experiencing similar hardships?

Co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gender dysphoria (GD) frequently cooccur. However, existing research has primarily used smaller samples, limiting generalizability and the ability to assess further demographic variation. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the prevalence of cooccurring ASD and GD diagnoses among US adolescents aged 9 to 18 and (2) identify demographic differences in the prevalence of cooccurring ASD and GD diagnoses. This secondary analysis used data from the PEDSnet learning health system network of 8 pediatric hospital institutions. Analyses included descriptive statistics and adjusted mixed logistic regression testing for associations between ASD and GD diagnoses and interactions between ASD diagnosis and demographic characteristics in the association with GD diagnosis. Among 919 898 patients, GD diagnosis was more prevalent among youth with an ASD diagnosis compared with youth without an ASD diagnosis (1.1% vs 0.6%), and adjusted regression revealed significantly greater odds of GD diagnosis among youth with an ASD diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio = 3.00, 95% confidence interval: 2.72-3.31). Cooccurring ASD/GD diagnoses were more prevalent among youth whose electronic medical record-reported sex was female and those using private insurance, and less prevalent among youth of color, particularly Black and Asian youth. Results indicate that youth whose electronic medical record-reported sex was female and those using private insurance are more likely, and youth of color are less likely, to have cooccurring ASD/GD diagnoses. This represents an important step toward building services and supports that reduce disparities in access to care and improve outcomes for youth with cooccurring ASD/GD and their families.

Modifying Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Fear of Sleeping Alone in a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

This case study demonstrates the use of a modified evidence-based treatment protocol for “Maya,” a 13-year-old girl who presented with a fear of sleeping alone, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and separation anxiety disorder (SAD). The treatment, which spanned across 36 sessions, consisted of skills acquisition and exposure, with modifications made to address Maya’s ASD symptoms and cognitive limitations. Modifications for treating comorbid anxiety and ASD are described, including the use of: forced-choice list for emotions and somatic cues of anxiety, concrete props for teaching skills, and a higher level of parent involvement than typical for adolescent clients being treated for anxiety. Based on in-office observations and parental reports of at-home behavior, Maya’s avoidance of sleeping alone decreased over time, and she was able to sleep alone by the end of treatment. This case demonstrates successful treatment of fear of sleeping alone in a child with co-occurring anxiety and ASD.

Case report: Co-occurring autism spectrum disorder (Level One) and obsessive-compulsive disorder in a gender-diverse adolescent.

This fictionalized case report captures the common themes and considerations during the diagnostic assessment and behavioral treatment of adolescents demonstrating symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as gender-diversity concerns. Our patient was a white, non-Hispanic 17-year-old individual who identified as gender-neutral but had been assigned female at birth. Symptoms presented were social withdrawal, rigid rule-following behavior, unusual repetitive behavior, impairments in social communication skills, sensory sensitivity, body dissatisfaction, self-injury, and anxiety related to contamination, perfectionism, and social interactions. These symptoms contributed to functional impairment with school attendance, school achievement, family relationships, and the activities of daily living. This case report summarizes instruments employed for differential diagnosis concerning cognitive functioning, ASD, OCD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and commonly co-occurring repetitive behavior. This patient was ultimately diagnosed with ASD, level one for both social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors, without accompanying intellectual or language impairment; OCD with panic attacks; gender dysphoria; major depressive disorder (single episode and moderate); and ADHD. The subsequent 40-session course of cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (CBT/ERP) to treat OCD tailored to an individual with ASD and gender diversity concerns is described in detail. Components of family involvement are highlighted. As a result, significant improvements in school attendance, OCD symptoms, depression, social relationships, and adaptive functioning were measured. Lastly, recommendations for clinicians are summarized.

The Impact of Co-occurring ADHD on Social Competence Intervention Outcomes in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is significant and associated with a host of negative outcomes. Studies investigating social functioning in the presence of the ASD/ADHD co-occurrence have produced mixed findings. The present study further evaluated the impact of co-occurring ADHD on social functioning among youth with ASD and compared treatment response to a social competence intervention between youth with ASD and ASD + ADHD. Two-way repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were computed with diagnostic group and time as the independent variables and measures of social functioning as dependent variables. Group and Time effects and Group by Time interactions were examined. Youth with co-occurring ADHD displayed more impairments related to social awareness, but not in other social areas. Participants in both the ASD and ASD + ADHD groups demonstrated significant improvement following a social competence intervention. Co-occurring ADHD did not negatively affect treatment response. Youth with ASD + ADHD may benefit highly structured interventions with a scaffolded teaching design.

Predictors, Parental Views, and Concordance Across Diagnostic Sources of Autism in Male Youth with Fragile X Syndrome: Clinical Best Estimate and Community Diagnoses.

Persons with fragile X syndrome (FXS) with cooccurring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk for poorer educational, medical, employment, and independent living outcomes. Thus, the identification of ASD in those with FXS is fundamental to ensuring access to appropriate supports to achieve good quality of life. Yet, optimal diagnostic methods and the exact rate of ASD comorbidity remains controversial, and description of ASD identification in the community in FXS has been limited. This study characterized ASD in a sample of 49 male youth with FXS across multiple diagnostic sources: parent-reported community diagnoses, classification derived from ADOS-2 and ADI-R thresholds, and clinical best-estimate classifications from an expert multidisciplinary team. High concordance was found between ADOS-2/ADI-R and clinical best estimate classifications, with both methods supporting ASD in ~ 75% of male youth with FXS. In contrast, 31% had a community diagnosis. Findings supported gross under-identification of ASD in male youth with FXS in community settings; 60% of those who met clinical best estimate criteria for ASD had not received a diagnosis in the community. Moreover, community diagnoses were poorly aligned with the presence of ASD symptoms as perceived by parents and professionals and, unlike clinical best estimate diagnoses, were not associated with cognitive, behavioral, or language features. Findings highlight under-identification of ASD in community settings as a significant barrier to service access for male youth with FXS. Clinical recommendations should emphasize the benefits of seeking a professional ASD evaluation for children with FXS who are noted to display key ASD symptoms.

Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum and Borderline Personality Disorder: An Emerging Clinical Challenge Seeking Informed Interventions.

Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum and Borderline Personality Disorder: An Emerging Clinical Challenge Seeking Informed Interventions.

Functional brain network alterations in the co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two highly prevalent and commonly co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders. The neural mechanisms underpinning the comorbidity of ASD and ADHD (ASD + ADHD) remain unclear. We focused on the topological organization and functional connectivity of brain networks in ASD + ADHD patients versus ASD patients without ADHD (ASD-only). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data from 114 ASD and 161 typically developing (TD) individuals were obtained from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange II. The ASD patients comprised 40 ASD + ADHD and 74 ASD-only individuals. We constructed functional brain networks for each group and performed graph-theory and network-based statistic (NBS) analyses. Group differences between ASD + ADHD and ASD-only were analyzed at three levels: nodal, global, and connectivity. At the nodal level, ASD + ADHD exhibited topological disorganization in the temporal and occipital regions, compared with ASD-only. At the global level, ASD + ADHD and ASD-only displayed no significant differences. At the connectivity level, the NBS analysis revealed that ASD + ADHD showed enhanced functional connectivity between the prefrontal and frontoparietal regions, as well as between the orbitofrontal and occipital regions, compared with ASD-only. The hippocampus was the shared region in aberrant functional connectivity patterns in ASD + ADHD and ASD-only compared with TD. These findings suggests that ASD + ADHD displays altered topology and functional connectivity in the brain regions that undertake social cognition, language processing, and sensory processing.

A cross-sectional examination of service complexity in youths with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and psychiatric or medical diagnoses across service sectors.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous, life-long, and complex condition. Youth diagnosed with ASD require several supports addressing core symptoms associated with the disorder, but also those resulting from co-occurring mental and physical health conditions. As a result, their care is overseen by numerous professionals spanning various service sectors, but communication between sectors is hindered due to the absence of a standardized assessment system to identify and triage youth to services. A paucity of information surrounding this population's service use lingers and a siloed delivery system persists. Using archival data collected from 1,020 youth between 12 and 18 years of age, this study explored service complexity among autistic youth with and without psychiatric and medical co-occurring conditions in Ontario, Canada. In doing so, a negative binomial regression was utilized to investigate which predisposing, enabling, and need variables were associated with service complexity. Results revealed that experiencing financial difficulties was not associated with service complexity. However, age, sex, caregiver distress, comorbidity, intellectual disability, and evaluated health status were significant predictors. More specifically, female youth and youth with distressed caregivers had greater mental health service complexity scores. Additionally, youth diagnosed with two or more conditions in addition to ASD who required longer durations of programming, controlling for other predictors, had greater mental health service complexity scores. Yet, youth with an intellectual disability had lower service complexity scores. Clinical implications of this study are discussed to inform future investments into mental health efforts for autistic youth.

Prevalence and treatment of mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders in children with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A population-based study.

There is a lack of nationally representative studies examining the co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. This study examines comorbid mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders (MBDDs) and associated treatment modalities for children with co-occurring ASD and ADHD. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using data from the pooled 2016-2018 National Survey of Children's Health (sample n=102,341). Nationally representative prevalences were estimated for sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, psychotropic medication, and behavioral treatment. We assessed multivariable associations between co-occurring ASD + ADHD and MBDDs, use of psychotropic medication, and receipt of behavioral treatment after adjustment for sociodemographic confounders. Compared to children with ASD without co-occurring ADHD, children with ASD + ADHD had higher prevalence of most MBDDs, including anxiety (AOR 4.03 [95% CI 2.77, 4.87]), depression (AOR 3.08 [95% CI 1.77, 5.36]), behavior or conduct problems (AOR 4.06 [95% CI 2.72, 6.06]), and other mental health conditions. Similarly, compared to children with ADHD without ASD, children with ASD + ADHD had higher odds of anxiety (AOR 3.49 [95% CI 2.65, 4.61]), depression (AOR 1.67 [95% CI 1.21, 2.29]), behavior or conduct problems (AOR 2.31 [95% CI 1.68, 3.17]), and other mental health conditions. Children with ASD + ADHD were significantly more likely to take psychotropic medication than children with ASD without ADHD. Among children with ASD + ADHD, males had higher odds of receiving behavioral treatment, whereas older children and adolescents were more likely to take psychotropic medication. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to support the complex needs of these children.