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Section 7 - Comorbidity in ADHD and Autism
The document discusses the comorbidity of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), highlighting that both conditions frequently coexist and share overlapping symptoms. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these comorbid conditions, their impact on diagnosis, treatment, and the potential need for further research. Additionally, the document outlines various psychiatric disorders associated with ADHD and ASD, including how symptoms can often mask each other, complicating the clinical picture.
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Similar to Section 7 - Comorbidity in ADHD and Autism
Section 7 - Comorbidity in ADHD and Autism
- 1. Comorbidity in ADHDand Autism
- 2. Introduction to theSection A refresher: DBDs & PDDs. Why is comorbidity important? Are ADHD And Autism Really That Different? Comorbid conditions. What might this overlap of symptoms suggest?
- 3. Learning Outcomes ofthis Section. On completion of the Section and with independent study you should be able to: 1. Understand what disorders and symptoms commonly exist alongside Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. 2. Be able to describe why it is important to look at comorbid disorders.
- 4. What is Comorbidity?Disorder Only Disorder And Other Other Only
- 5. Developmental Delay motor Mental Retardation cognitive Cerebral Palsy motor Autism/PDD social Learning Disability learning ADHD/DBD focus Some Terminology .
- 6. Conceptualisation ofDevelopmental Disabilities. Central Nervous System Motor Cognitive Social Cerebral Palsy Mental Retardation Autism Spectrum
- 7. Conceptualisation ofDevelopmental Disabilities. Central Nervous System Prenatal Perinatal Postnatal Motor Cognitive Social Cerebral Palsy Mental Retardation Autism Spectrum
- 8. “ Disability”: Function:Conceptualisation of Developmental Disabilities. Aetiology : Central Nervous System Prenatal Perinatal Postnatal Motor Cognitive Social Cerebral Palsy Mental Retardation Autism Spectrum
- 9. The DSM-IV includesfive types of disorder under the term ‘Attention-Deficit and Disruptive Behavioural Disorders’. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Predominantly Inattentive Type. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. Combined Type. Conduct Disorder. Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Disruptive Behaviour Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Attention-Deficit and Disruptive Behavioural Disorders.
- 10. The DSM-IV includesfive types of disorder under the term ‘ Pervasive Developmental Disorder’ PDD . Autistic Disorder*. Rett’s Disorder. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Asperger’s Disorder*. Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified*. * Mainly these form the Autistic spectrum (ASD). Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
- 11. Major Classes OfChildhood Psychiatric Disorders. Developmental Disorders Autism (ASD); Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). Language and learning disorders. Disruptive Behaviour Disorders (“externalizing”) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD); Conduct Disorder (CD). Affective Disorders (“internalizing”) Anxiety Disorders. Depression; Bipolar Disorder. Other Disorders Tic Disorders/Tourette’s Disorder; Eating Disorders; Substance Use; Schizophrenia.
- 12.
- 13. Are ADHD AndAutism Really That Different? A large number of medical conditions, psychiatric disorders and behavioural and motor control problems are very often associated with ADHD and/or Autism. ADHD and Autism are generally described as separate disorders with separate genetic aetiologies. Most genetic studies exclude cases of Autism from studies on ADHD and vice versa. Comorbidity: one condition may “mask” another.
- 14. Are ADHD AndAutism Really That Different? More symptoms of Autism in children with ADHD than in their siblings who do not have ADHD. A great need for in-depth research into this area. As many as one-third of children diagnosed with ADHD also have a co-existing diagnosed condition. See review by Gillberg and Billstedt (2000).
- 15. Symptoms of ADHD.High Impulsiveness Poor Attention High Hyperactivity
- 16. Frequent comorbid psychiatricdiagnoses include: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (35%). Conduct Disorder (25%). Tics. OCD (part of the triad?). Anxiety (often strong environmental factors). Comorbidity In ADHD.
- 17. Depression/Bipolar disorder. Selectivemutism. Eating disorders (including anorexia nervosa). Sleep disorders. Learning disabilities occur in about 25% of ADHD children especially receptive language problems (spoken instructions) and expressive language (written output). Comorbidity In ADHD.
- 18. Substance use disordersin adults with ADHD. Alcohol abuse (15%). Alcohol dependence (41%). Substance abuse (45%). Substance dependence (31%). Any abuse or dependence (69%). (Millstein, et al, 1997). Comorbidity In ADHD.
- 19. Mood and anxietydisorders in adults with ADHD. Major depression (63%). Dysthymia (23%). Bipolar (17%). Panic disorder (11%). Simple phobia (12%). Generalized anxiety (21%). Obsessive compulsive disorder (7%). (Millstein, et al, 1997). Comorbidity In ADHD.
- 20. Personality disorders inadults with ADHD Anti-social personality (22%) Passive aggressive personality (19%) Borderline personality (14%) Histrionic personality disorder (11%) Avoidant (anxious) (11%) (Barkley et al, 1998) Comorbidity In ADHD.
- 21. Symptoms of AutisticDisorder. Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour. Impairment in social interaction . Impairment in verbal and non verbal communication. Wing, L., & Gould, J. (1979). Severe impairments of social interaction and associated abnormalities in children: epidemiology and classification. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9, 11-29.
- 22. Overlap/comorbidity (see Gillberg & Billstedt 2000). High overlap with ADHD symptoms. Depression. Mania/bipolar disorder. Tic disorders. “ Personality disorders. ” Selective mutism. Eating disorders. Substance use disorders. Comorbidity In Autism.
- 23. Comorbidity of ASD.AUTISTIC SPECTRUM CONDITIONS ATTENTION DEFICIT/ HYPER- ACTIVITY SEIZURES/ TOURETTE’S DEPRESSION/ BIPOLAR DISORDER LEARNING DISABILITIES OBSESSIVE- COMPULSIVE DISORDER OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANCE DISORDER ANXIETY
- 24. Some features ofAutism can be misinterpreted as signs of schizophrenia. Often get disorganised thinking. Focus on inner life/fantasy. Talking past the point. Perseveration. Neologisms/colloquialisms. Pseudo-philosophical talk. Often speak thoughts out loud. Example: Similarities Between Autism And Schizophrenia.
- 25. Imaginary friends. Producefantastic stories. Complex visual hallucinations. Thoughts described concretely sound like auditory hallucinations. Genuine altered perceptions. Teasing and persecution. Catatonia common. Often improve with neuroleptics. Example: Similarities Between Autism And Schizophrenia.
- 26. Early studies suggestedassociation between SZ and ASD. Kanner (1949) “I do not believe that there is any likelihood that early infantile autism will at any future time have to be separated from the schizophrenias.” Clarke et al (1999) suggest that Autism may increase vulnerability to psychosis. Fitzgerald: “it is often asked where the patients with autism and Asperger's syndrome were 40 years ago and what diagnosis they received. It is likely that they were classified in adult psychiatric hospitals as having simple Schizophrenia.” Example: Similarities Between Autism And Schizophrenia.
- 27. Bender & Faetra(1972) claimed 90 per cent of Autistic children developed Schizophrenia in adulthood. Dahl (1976) claimed 50 per cent of Autistic children developed Schizophrenia in adulthood. Wolff & Mcguire (1995) claimed 4 out of 49 patients with possible Asperger's developed Schizophrenia. Example: Similarities Between Autism And Schizophrenia.
- 28. Diagnosis, Misdiagnosis, And“Undiagnosed.” Undiagnosed Disorder Correctly Diagnosed Disorder Misdiagnosed As Disorder Has Disorder Diagnosed with Disorder
- 29. Overlap Of ‘Symptoms’In Autism, Asperger’s And ADHD. Naïve remarks, faux pas, too honest. Can only be with others on own terms. Poor at games, scores “own goals.” Unaware of social conventions. Indifferent to peer pressure/crazes/fashion. Pedantic, corrects other students. Genuine poor empathy may lead to aggression. Good at some things/poor at others. Same with everybody. No language adjustment to fit social context. Expect others to know their thoughts. Take things literally . Poor motivation/Lack of spontaneity. Eye for detail, but fail to see big picture. Autodidact, struggle to follow teachers. Perfectionist. Everything black/white, all or nothing Catatonic symptoms. Sensory sensitivities (noise, pain threshold). Special interests Odd “flapping” gait when running. Tics, facial grimacing. Prefer non-fiction to fiction. Exceptional memory for facts/dates. Exceptional isolated ability. May seem immature.
- 30. ADHD is (almost)always an indication that there will be other problems and disorders, not just ADHD. Autism Spectrum Disorders can present with severe hyperactivity and attention problems (Gillberg 1992). Extreme hyperactivity is a common presenting problem in pre-school children with Autism. Many individuals with ADHD also have mild Autism Spectrum Disorder (Gillberg et al 1987). Overlap Of ‘Symptoms’ In Autism, Asperger’s And ADHD.
- 31. ADHD / AutismOverlap: Theoretical Questions. Could it be that ADHD comprises a mixture of other syndromes (e.g. Tourette’s, bipolar, depression and variants of Autism Spectrum Disorder) that all present with some “ADHD” symptomatology? Could any dopamine/noradrenaline dysfunction syndrome with early onset present as ADHD or a “shadow syndrome” of ADHD? Could Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD fall on the same continuum?