Autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and psychiatric comorbidities: A nationwide study

Parent-reported problematic sleep behaviors in children with comorbid autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

“…Although there was preliminary evidence linking ADHD symptoms with being overtired and linking higher repetitive/stereotypical ASD behaviors with being overtired , internalizing symptoms remained a significant predictor across all models. These results are consistent with prior research demonstrating high levels of comorbid internalizing problems in children with ASD (Simonoff et al, 2008), ADHD (Smalley, et al, 2007) and comorbid ASD/ADHD (Chen et al, 2015). Additionally, findings within the current study are similar to other recent studies demonstrating greater risk of sleep problems among children with comorbid ASD/ADHD in the presence of both internalizing and externalizing problems (Thomas, et al, 2015).…”

“…Based on high rates of comorbidity and previous research linking internalizing psychopathology with sleep problems in children with ADHD and ASD (Chen, et al, 2015), we also examined the specific contribution of internalizing symptoms to problematic sleep behaviors in this sample of children with comorbid ASD and ADHD. The impact of problematic sleep behaviors on intellectual, academic, and executive functioning was also assessed.…”

“…Children with ASD and ADHD often present with comorbid anxiety (Biederman, Newcorn, & Sprich, 1991; Simonoff et al, 2008; Smalley et al, 2007) and depression (Joshi et al, 2010; Smalley et al, 2007), and comorbid internalizing disorders are also highly prevalent in children with comorbid ASD and ADHD (Chen et al, 2015). Both partial sleep restriction and sleep deprivation in healthy adults is associated with difficulties in the emotional processing of facial expression and emotion related working memory skills (Chuah et al, 2010; Motomura et al, 2013).…”

Violence is Rare in Autism: When It Does Occur, Is It Sometimes Extreme?

“…Similarly, having a diagnosis of ASD may in some cases further exacerbate other problems, making it harder to cope. This is particularly important to examine in more detail in light of the vast literature exploring the common co-morbidities which frequently present in individuals with ASD, most notably, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety (e.g., Ghaziuddin, Ghaziuddin, & Greden, 2002;Hammond & Hoffman, 2014;Matson & Williams, 2014;Moss, Howlin, Savage, Bolton, & Rutter, 2015;Bruggink, Huisman, Vuijk, Kraaij, & Garnefski, 2016), and behavioral disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (e.g., Chen et al, 2015;Taylor, Charman, & Ronald, 2015;Antshel, Zhang-James, Wagner, Ledesma, & Faraone, 2016). Such comorbidities may further intensify an individual with ASD's impaired ability to cope with problems in his or her life.…”

A systematic PRISMA review of individuals with autism spectrum disorder in secure psychiatric care: prevalence, treatment, risk assessment and other clinical considerations

“…Some of the most common co-morbidities in individuals with ASD include: mood disorders such as depression and anxiety (e.g., Ghaziuddin, Ghaziuddin, & Greden, 2002;Hammond & Hoffman, 2014;Matson & Williams, 2014;Moss, Howlin, Savage, Bolton, & Rutter, 2015;Bruggink, Huisman, Vuijk, Kraaij, & Garnefski, 2016), and behavioural disorders including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (e.g., Chen et al, 2015;Taylor, Charman, & Ronald, 2015;Antshel, Zhang-James, Wagner, Ledesma, & Faraone, 2016). One recent longitudinal study comprising of 124 youths with a clinical diagnosis of ASD (mean age, 10.6 ± 3.3 years) found that early comorbid psychiatric conditions such as: anxiety/depression, inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional behaviours may also impair later social adjustment (adaptive functioning) in youths with ASD as found at follow up interviews which took place about three years later (37.59 ± 15 months) (Chiang & Gau, 2016).…”