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. 2015 Jul;45(7):2235-42.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2352-y.

Brief Report: Adaptive Functioning in Children with ASD, ADHD and ASD + ADHD

Karen L Ashwood  1 , Charlotte Tye, Bahare Azadi, Sally Cartwright, Philip Asherson, Patrick Bolton
Affiliations

Brief Report: Adaptive Functioning in Children with ASD, ADHD and ASD + ADHD

Karen L Ashwood et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015 Jul.

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co-occur. Children with ASD and ADHD demonstrate deficits in adaptive functioning, yet pure and comorbid groups have not been directly compared. Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS-II) data were examined in boys with ASD (n = 17), ADHD (n = 31) and ASD + ADHD (n = 38). Results demonstrated lower socialisation and composite scores and greater discrepancy between cognitive and adaptive abilities in the ASD + ADHD group compared to the ADHD-only group. Significant associations were shown between reduced adaptive functioning and autism symptoms, but not ADHD symptoms. Children with ASD + ADHD present with exacerbated impairments in adaptive functioning relative to children with ADHD, associated with ASD symptoms. Disentangling variation in adaptive skills may aid the assessment of complex cases.

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