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ADHD Symptoms Moderate the Relation Between ASD Status and Internalizing Symptoms in 3–6-Year-Old Children

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Abstract

The current study sought to understand the relation between diagnostic status (autism spectrum disorders [ASD] versus typically developing) and internalizing problems in children with and without co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Participants were 88 children, ages 3:0–6:11, their parents and teachers. Findings indicated that ADHD symptoms moderated the relation between diagnostic status and depressive and somatic symptoms. High ADHD symptoms in children with ASD were associated with increased depressive and somatic symptoms compared to children with typical development. Findings suggest poor prognostic outcomes for children with ASD and co-occurring ADHD symptoms and highlight the need for early identification and targeted intervention.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a grant to Beverly J. Wilson from the School of Psychology, Family, and Community at Seattle Pacific University. We wish to thank the parents, children, and teachers who participated in this study. We could not have completed this study without their assistance. Additionally, the team of graduate and undergraduate students assisted in collecting these data. We thank them for their assistance. Preliminary analysis of a subset of these data was previously presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research.

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  1. Clinical Psychology Department, Seattle Pacific University, 3307 Third Avenue West, Suite 107, Seattle, WA, 98119-1997, USA

    Beverly J. Wilson, Christen N. Manangan, Hayley A. Dauterman & Heather N. Davis

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  1. Beverly J. Wilson
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  2. Christen N. Manangan
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  3. Hayley A. Dauterman
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  4. Heather N. Davis
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Correspondence to Beverly J. Wilson.

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Wilson, B.J., Manangan, C.N., Dauterman, H.A. et al. ADHD Symptoms Moderate the Relation Between ASD Status and Internalizing Symptoms in 3–6-Year-Old Children. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 1347–1356 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1995-4

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