Comorbid ADHD and Anxiety Affect Social Skills Group Intervention Treatment Efficacy in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Antshel, Kevin M.; Polacek, Carol; McMahon, Michele; Dygert, Karen; Spenceley, Laura M.; Dygert, Lindsay; Miller, Laura L.; Faisal, Fahad

doi:10.1097/dbp.0b013e318222355d

Cited by 115 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Antshel et al have come the closest to testing this research question. In their sample of 83 children (74 males, 9 females) with an ASD (mean age = 9.5 years; SD = 1.2) and common comorbid psychiatric disorders, children with ASD + ADHD benefitted much less from a 10-week social skills training program than children with ASD only and ASD + anxiety disorder [168]. These data suggest that an ASD intervention may not be as effective in the presence of comorbid ADHD.…”

Section: Behavioral Treatmentsmentioning

confidence: 95%

The comorbidity of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder

Antshel

Zhang-James

Faraone

2013

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics

126

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ADHD and autism spectrum disorder are common psychiatric comorbidities to each another. In addition, there is behavioral, biological and neuropsychological overlap between the two disorders. There are also several important differences between autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. Treatment strategies for the comorbid condition will also be reviewed. Future areas of research and clinical need will be discussed.

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Section: Behavioral Treatmentsmentioning

confidence: 95%

The comorbidity of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder

Antshel

Zhang-James

Faraone

2013

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics

126

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“…For example, work from the National Survey of Children’s Health found that approximately 20% of nearly 1,500 children aged 2–17 with parent-reported ASD were initially given a diagnosis of ADHD, and were diagnosed with ASD three years later than children without ADHD concerns (Miodovnik et al 2015). Studies also indicate differences in response to treatments based on presence/absence of ADHD symptoms in children with ASD (Antshel et al 2011; Cortese et al 2012; Pearson et al 2012; Simonoff et al 2013). Finally, concerns about attention problems, in both those with ASD and their siblings, that persist into middle childhood and school settings also underscore the importance of developing a better understanding of how the two disorders manifest alone and together in childhood (Miller et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inattention and hyperactivity in association with autism spectrum disorders in the CHARGE study

Lyall

Schweitzer

Schmidt

et al. 2017

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Background Attention deficits in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not well understood. This study sought to determine: 1) the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in young children with ASD, typical development (TD), and developmental delay (DD) and 2) the association between ADHD symptoms and cognitive and behavioral functioning in children with ASD. Method ADHD symptoms, defined according to Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) hyperactivity subscale scores, were compared across children aged 2–5 from a large case-control study with ASD (n=548), TD (n=423), and DD (n=180). Inattention and hyperactivity items within this subscale were also explored. Within the ASD group, linear and logistic regression were used to examine how ADHD symptoms were associated with cognition as assessed by the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and adaptive functioning as assessed by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Results Mean hyperactivity subscale scores were lowest in children with TD (mean=3.19), higher in children with DD (12.3), and highest in children with ASD (18.2; between-group p<0.001). Among children with ASD, significant associations were observed with higher ADHD symptoms and poorer adaptive and cognitive functioning (adjusted beta for hyperactivity score in association with: Vineland composite = −5.63, p=0.0005; Mullen visual reception scale = −2.94, p=0.02; for the highest vs. lowest quartile of hyperactivity score, odds of lowest quintile of these scores was approximately doubled). Exploratory analyses highlighted associations with inattention-related items specifically. Conclusion These results suggest ADHD symptoms may play a key role in the functioning of young children with ASD.

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“…Outcomes of social skills were rated using the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS), a broad measure of social skills, and were compared among children with ASD, ASD plus anxiety, and ASD plus ADHD. Children with ASD and co-occurring ADHD failed to gain social skills, whereas children with ASD without ADHD and children with ASD and anxiety both increased in overall social skills after the intervention [23]. These findings raise a number of questions for future social skills research with this population.…”

Section: Current Researchmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…The majority of treatment-focused research has examined pharmacological treatment via traditional ADHD medication [35]. With respect to psychosocial treatment, very few studies have examined behavioral interventions that directly address cooccurring symptoms, and existing treatment studies have rarely examined outcomes based on co-occurring symptoms profiles [23]. Based on these studies and others, many clinicians and researchers have advocated for changes to the diagnostic criteria to allow co-diagnosis of ADHD and ASD [2,18].…”

Section: Summary and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Treatment for Co-Occurring Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder

2012

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Interest in the co-occurrence of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has grown in the last decade. Research on clinical populations supports the frequent co-occurrence of ADHD traits (e.g., hyperactivity) in individuals with ASD and ASD traits (e.g., social communication deficits) in individuals with ADHD. Similar trends in co-occurring traits have been observed in population-based samples, as well as family and genetic studies of affected individuals. Despite increased interest in co-occurring ADHD and ASD, relatively little research has been devoted to treatment considerations. The vast majority of intervention research has examined pharmacological treatment using traditional ADHD medications. Relatively few psychosocial interventions have directly addressed co-occurring symptoms. Treatment development will benefit from enhanced understanding of the phenomenon of co-occurring ADHD and ASD. Key topics for future research include examining developmental trajectories of co-occurring disorders, comorbid psychiatric conditions, deficits in social skills, and the nature of executive functioning impairment in individuals with cooccurring ADHD and ASD. In the current review, research in these areas is reviewed along with recommendation for future study. Given that clinicians are routinely observing and treating individuals with co-occurring symptoms, further research will yield needed information to inform intervention development and maximize benefits for affected individuals.

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Comorbid ADHD and Anxiety Affect Social Skills Group Intervention Treatment Efficacy in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract: Psychiatric comorbidity affects social skill treatment gains in the ASD population.

Cited by 115 publications

References 27 publications

The comorbidity of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder

The comorbidity of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder

Inattention and hyperactivity in association with autism spectrum disorders in the CHARGE study

Treatment for Co-Occurring Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder

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