Autism and ADHD – Is There a Link?

Is there a link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism?Children with ADHD may also exhibit autistic traits without a diagnosis of autism, study finds.

Researchers included 242 children with ADHD and 227 kids without the condition. All were 6 to 18 years of age and underwent testing for psychiatric, psychosocial, educational and cognitive function. The results? The children with ADHD were more likely to have autistic “traits.

According to the researchers, a substantial minority of ADHD children exhibited ATs and their presence was associated with more severe symptoms… including clumsiness, messiness, and social difficulties with peers. The researchers say additional studies are needed to confirm the findings, but the ability to identify ADHD children with autistic traits may help practitioners develop more individualized therapies and interventions.