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

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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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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the participating families and all staff involved in this study, in particular the Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health (BRC) recruitment coordinators. This work was supported by a Grant from the BRC at the South London & Maudsley NHS Trust Hospital, London. Dr. Charlotte Tye was supported by a Medical Research Council (MRC) studentship. Professor Bolton is supported by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator award and the BRC.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK

      Karen L. Ashwood, Charlotte Tye, Bahare Azadi, Sally Cartwright, Philip Asherson & Patrick Bolton

    2. Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Henry Wellcome Building, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, Box PO77, London, SE5 8AF, UK

      Karen L. Ashwood

    3. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK

      Karen L. Ashwood, Charlotte Tye, Bahare Azadi, Sally Cartwright & Patrick Bolton

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    1. Karen L. Ashwood
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    2. Charlotte Tye
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    3. Bahare Azadi
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    Correspondence to Karen L. Ashwood or Charlotte Tye.

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    Karen L. Ashwood and Charlotte Tye have contributed equally to this work.

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    Ashwood, K.L., Tye, C., Azadi, B. et al. Brief Report: Adaptive Functioning in Children with ASD, ADHD and ASD + ADHD. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 2235–2242 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2352-y

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