Trait-Based Dimensions Discriminating Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and, Co-occurring ADHD/ASD

Abstract

This study assessed the co-occurrence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in newly diagnosed adults of normal intelligence and the contribution of trait-based dimensions deriving from the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV), the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), and the Empathy Quotient (EQ) to the differentiation of patients with ADHD, ASD, and ADHD/ASD. A total of 16.1% of patients with ADHD received a co-occurring ASD diagnosis, while 33.3% of patients with ASD received an ADHD diagnosis. Subjects with ADHD or ADHD/ASD had higher scores in all ADHD traits compared to ASD subjects. Compared to the ADHD group, the ASD group had AQ scores that were significantly greater, except for attention to detail. ADHD/ASD co-occurrence significantly increased the score of attention to detail. The total EQ score was greater in the ADHD group. In the stepwise logistic regression analyses, past hyperactivity, current inattention and impulsivity, attention switching, communication, imagination, and total EQ score discriminated ADHD patients from ASD patients. Attention to detail, imagination, and total EQ score discriminated ADHD cases from ADHD/ASD cases, while past hyperactivity and current impulsivity discriminated ASD subjects from ADHD/ASD subjects. Our findings highlight the importance of particular trait-based dimensions when discriminating adults with ADHD, ASD, and co-occurring ADHD/ASD.

Everyday memory and cognitive styles in adults with autism spectrum disorder: The relationship between Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test performance and Empathizing-Systemizing models

“…Moreover, the present study supports the previous findings about higher AQ and lower EQ in individuals with ASD compared to healthy individuals [16]. EQ was designed to measure empathic abilities, which refer to how easily a person perceives the feelings of others and is affected by their emotions [50]. Some argue that low empathic abilities are particularly important in understanding a person's social adjustment challenges and are important factors in psychiatric diagnoses with adults [51].…”

“…Some argue that low empathic abilities are particularly important in understanding a person's social adjustment challenges and are important factors in psychiatric diagnoses with adults [51]. According to research on adults with neurodevelopmental disorders [50], the EQ scores of ASD patients and of those with both diagnoses of ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are lower than ADHD patients, suggesting that low EQ indicates a single diagnosis or co-occurrence of ASD. However, no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of SQ.…”

“…From the perspective of adult relationship development, ASD symptoms may decrease throughout the course of life [63]. There is also a view that more than a few adults with ASD may also have ADHD; future surveys would need to be grouped and analyzed based on mental diseases or symptoms [50]. This would require a larger sample of persons with ASD.…”

Autistic Traits and Empathy in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-occurring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Interestingly, in our sample, children with ASD+ did not score significantly higher than children with ASD alone. A recent study by Pehlivanidis et al (2021) reported similar findings at the AQ, showing that adults with ASD+ and ASD− had comparable scores, in turn significantly higher than the ADHD group. It means that the effect of comorbid ADHD seemed not to be additive in the reported severity of ASD and the reasons should be examined in future studies.…”

Internet gaming disorder, exercise and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The role of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress

“…The subscales that were finally used for the statistical analyses were the following: attention deficit (0 to 9 points), hyperactivity (0 to 5 points) and impulsivity (0 to 4 points), as used in previous studies. 37 The suggested cut-off scores for each subscale were not taken into consideration and the scale was treated as dimensional and not categorical since the assessed traits don't provide a diagnosis. 37 The alpha coefficient was 0.95 in the current study.…”