ADHD, not autism, might count when it comes to 'comorbid psychiatric symptomatology'

A quote to begin this fairly brief post: "Our study concluded that higher levels of ADHD [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder] severity-not ASD [autism spectrum disorder] severity-were associated with a higher prevalence of comorbid psychiatric symptomatology in school-age children with ASD. These findings may encourage clinicians to thoroughly assess ADHD symptomatology in ASD children to better inform treatment planning."

That was the research bottom line reported by Rosleen Mansour and colleagues [1] following their examination of how a pretty common comorbidity accompanying a diagnosis of autism (see here) might well play an important role in terms of other 'comorbid psychiatric symptomatology' among those with autism.

I'm interested in these findings for several reasons. A diagnosis of autism does seem to elevate the risk of receipt of various other psychiatric diagnoses (see here for example). As I've just said, ADHD is a pretty common comorbidity when it comes to autism (see here). A diagnosis of ADHD (and not the medication commonly used to manage such symptoms) seems to elevate the risk of receipt of various other psychiatric diagnoses too (see here). It's not too difficult to suggest that autism per se might not be 'the most important variable' when it comes to at least some people's risk of other psychiatric diagnoses being received. Indeed, there is another potentially important strand of evidence to include in this proposal, in terms of the continued experiences of some of those who 'move off the autism spectrum ' (see here).

More research is implied with one important question to answer about the nature of the synergy between autism and ADHD when it comes to any enhanced risk of psychiatric comorbidity...

So, Rogue One finally sees the cinematic light of day...

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[1] Mansour R. et al. ADHD severity as it relates to comorbid psychiatric symptomatology in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Res Dev Disabil. 2016 Nov 24;60:52-64.

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Mansour R, Dovi AT, Lane DM, Loveland KA, & Pearson DA (2016). ADHD severity as it relates to comorbid psychiatric symptomatology in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Research in developmental disabilities, 60, 52-64 PMID: 27889487