Using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient to Discriminate Autism Spectrum Disorder from ADHD in Adult Patients With and Without Comorbid Substance Use Disorder

Abstract

It is unknown whether the Autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) can discriminate between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with or without comorbid Substance Use Disorder (SUD). ANOVA's were used to analyse the mean AQ (sub)scores of 129 adults with ASD or ADHD. We applied receiver operating characteristic (ROC) computations to assess discriminant power. All but one of the mean AQ (sub)scores were significantly higher for adults with ASD compared to those with ADHD. The SUD status in general was not significantly associated with AQ (sub)-scores. On the Social Skills subscale patients with ASD and comorbid SUD showed less impairment than those without SUD. The cut-off score 26 yielded 73% correct classifications. The clinical use of the AQ in differentiating between ASD and ADHD is limited.

The use of the Autism-spectrum Quotient in differentiating high-functioning adults with autism, adults with schizophrenia and a neurotypical adult control group

“…Our findings are also in agreement with the notion that in autism, impairment in Social skill is regarded a primary deficit (Carter et al, 2005) while in schizophrenia this is still unclear (Brü ne, 2005). Similar results were found when ADHD and ASD were compared: social impairment in ASD appears larger than in ADHD (Sizoo et al, 2009). However, research comparing ASD with OCD and SAD yielded mixed results.…”

“…Previous studies reported more impairment in ASD than in ADHD, SAD and OCD in this respect Sizoo et al, 2009). Our findings with respect to the schizophrenia group are in contrast with previous research, which showed enhanced imagination in individuals with schizophrenia (Sacks, van de Ven, Etschenberg, Schatz, & Linden, 2005).…”

“…Individuals with OCD and SAD were impaired in attention shifting, but in a lesser degree than individuals with autism . Although ADHD has not been compared with a neurotypical control group in this respect, the individuals with ASD did report more impairment than the ADHD group (Sizoo et al, 2009). The above suggests that impairment in attention shifting is not restricted to ASD, although the degree of impairment is larger in ASD than in other disorders.…”

“…Previous research showed unimpaired functioning in Communication in OCD and SAD, compared to a neurotypical group . Furthermore, Sizoo et al (2009) reported larger impairments on the AQ subscale Communication in autism than in ADHD. Our results and those of Sizoo et al (2009) seem to indicate that impairment in Communication, as measured by the AQ, is not limited to ASD.…”

“…Furthermore, Sizoo et al (2009) reported larger impairments on the AQ subscale Communication in autism than in ADHD. Our results and those of Sizoo et al (2009) seem to indicate that impairment in Communication, as measured by the AQ, is not limited to ASD. However, the impairment seems larger in ASD than in other psychiatric disorders.…”