Published in

Elsevier, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, (65), p. 229-263, 2016

DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.03.019

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in early childhood: A review of unique and shared characteristics and developmental antecedents

Journal article published in 2016 by Janne C. Visser, Nanda N. J. Rommelse, Corina U. Greven, Jan K. Buitelaar
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Orange circle
Postprint: archiving restricted
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have overlapping characteristics and etiological factors, but to which extent this applies to infant- and preschool age is less well understood. Comparing the pathways to ASD and ADHD from the earliest possible stages is crucial for understanding how phenotypic overlap emerges and develops. Ultimately, these insights may guide preventative and therapeutic interventions. Here, we review the literature on the core symptoms, temperament and executive function in ASD and ADHD from infancy through preschool age, and draw several conclusions: (1) the co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD increases with age, severity of symptoms and lower IQ, (2) attention problems form a linking pin between early ASD and ADHD, but the behavioral, cognitive and sensory correlates of these attention problems partly diverge between the two conditions, (3) ASD and ADHD share high levels of negative affect, although the underlying motivational and behavioral tendencies seem to differ, and (4) ASD and ADHD share difficulties with control and shifting, but partly opposite behaviors seem to be involved.