Children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Relationships between symptoms and executive function, theory of mind, and behavioral problems

Carmen Berenguer; Belén Roselló; Carla Colomer; Inmaculada Baixauli; Ana Miranda

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2018.10.001

Children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Relationships between symptoms and executive function, theory of mind, and behavioral problems

Res Dev Disabil. 2018 Dec:83:260-269. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.10.001. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Authors

Carmen Berenguer¹, Belén Roselló², Carla Colomer³, Inmaculada Baixauli⁴, Ana Miranda⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology - University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: carmen.berenguer@uv.es.
² Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology - University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: m.belen.rosello@uv.es.
³ Department of Education, Didactics and School Organization, University Jaume I, Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain. Electronic address: colomerc@uji.es.
⁴ Department of Occupational Sciences, Speech Therapy, Evolutionary and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Teaching and Education Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia "San Vicente Mártir", C/Guillem de Castro, 175, 46008, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: Inmaculada.baixauli@ucv.es.
⁵ Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology - University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: ana.miranda@uv.es.

PMID: 30368089
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.10.001

Abstract

Background: The underlying mechanisms of comorbidity between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are still unknown. Executive function (EF) deficits and theory of mind (ToM) have been the most investigated cognitive processes.

Aims: This study proposed to analyze EF, ToM and behavioral problems in children with ASD + ADHD, ADHD, ASD and typical development (TD). The relationship between ADHD and ASD symptoms with EF, ToM and behavioral problems in children with ASD + ADHD was also explored.

Methods and procedures: Participants were 124 children between 7 and 11 years old (22 ASD + ADHD, 35 ADHD, 30 ASD, and 37 TD), matched on age and IQ. Teachers evaluated EF, and parents assessed ToM skills and behavioral problems through Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Outcomes and results: Children with ASD + ADHD and ADHD showed impairments in EF whereas the difficulties in ToM skills of ASD + ADHD group were similar to ASD group. Inattention symptoms were significantly associated with EF metacognitive deficits and ToM difficulties in ASD + ADHD, while ASD symptoms were associated with total score in behavioral problems.

Conclusions and implications: These findings show the complex difficulties of children with both ASD and ADHD and support the need to take these difficulties into account when designing the treatments.

Keywords: ASD + ADHD; Behavioral problems; Comorbidity; Executive functions; Theory of mind.

MeSH terms

Attention
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / diagnosis
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / psychology
Autistic Disorder* / diagnosis
Autistic Disorder* / psychology
Behavior Observation Techniques / methods
Child
Executive Function*
Female
Humans
Male
Metacognition*
Problem Behavior*
Spain
Theory of Mind*