According to a new study, about 3 percent of school-age children suffer from symptoms of both autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and about 0.5 percent of children may be diagnosed with both. A Spanish study published in Autism Research found that 33 percent of children with autism also had ADHD, with the rate higher among older children (46 percent) than younger children (22 percent). Read this also Alia Bhatt opens up about her ADHD diagnosis: What is it? 6 symptoms of common neurodevelopmental disorders
What is autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s communication, speech, learning, and behavioral patterns. It is also known as autism spectrum disorder. Some common signs and symptoms include difficulty making eye contact, communication, social interaction, and sensory difficulties.
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders found in childhood. Symptoms of this disorder include hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty paying attention.
More information about the study linking the two disorders
Recent research examined how often the same child can have ADHD and autism at the same time. The study examined 3,374 preschoolers aged 4 to 5 and 3,520 schoolchildren aged 10 to 11. The research also included 99 percent of these children’s teachers, but only 54 percent of the families, resulting in a final sample of 3,727 children. With information from both families and teachers.
The study was part of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Epidemiological Research Project, which was conducted in the province of Tarragona, Spain, between 2014 and 2019.
What the study found
“In the current study, parents and teachers reported a similar 3 percent prevalence of autism and ADHD symptoms, with an estimated co-morbid diagnosis prevalence of 0.5 percent. Only 16 percent of the children had received a prior diagnosis for both conditions, the researchers said, although parents and teachers identified symptoms of autism and ADHD in almost all cases. ADHD is recommended in both school and family settings.
key takeaways
The co-occurrence of autism and ADHD was much higher in boys than in girls – 4–5 percent versus 1–2 percent, depending on whether the diagnosis was based on information from parents or teachers.
About 10 percent of children with ADHD also had autism, a percentage slightly higher among younger children (16 percent) than among older children (8 percent). However, it is not clear whether this difference is due to random variation. An additional 6 percent of children with autism showed symptoms of ADHD that did not meet the diagnostic threshold.
Please note, the study highlights the prevalence of ADHD and autism in children in one province of Spain, and the percentages reported may not be the same in other parts of the world.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
