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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Comprehensive Guide to Autism

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by developmentally inappropriate degrees of inattention, impulsiveness, and/or hyperactivity that most often arise in early to middle childhood, result in impairment across multiple domains of daily life activities, and remain relatively persistent over time. Despite research suggesting that between 41 % and 95 % of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have significant symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity, the DSM-IV-TR (ADHD Criterion E) currently prohibits diagnosing ADHD in the context of an autism spectrum disorder. There is biological, neuropsychological, and behavioral overlap between children with ADHD and those with ASD. Nonetheless, there are several important differences which suggest that ADHD and ASD are distinct disorders, yet often coexist. These differences can be viewed in terms of quantitative and qualitative differences. Existing data provides some limited evidence of the efficacy of stimulant medication use as a means of treating ADHD-like symptoms within individuals with ASD. Nonetheless, to date, there has not been a randomized control clinical trial to test this hypothesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    Kevin M. Antshel

  2. Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 400 Ostrom Ave, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    Bridget O. Hier

Authors
  1. Kevin M. Antshel
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  2. Bridget O. Hier
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Correspondence to Kevin M. Antshel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, Faculty of Science & Technology, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. Nutritional Sciences Division and Genomics Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

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Antshel, K.M., Hier, B.O. (2014). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V., Martin, C. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Autism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_53

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_53

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4787-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4788-7

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