Autism symptoms in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Familial trait which Correlates with Conduct, Oppositional Defiant, Language and Motor Disorders

ISSN
1573-3432
0162-3257
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Mulligan, Aisling
Anney, Richard J. L.
O'Regan, Myra
Chen, Wai
Butler, Louise
Fitzgerald, Michael
Buitelaar, J. K.
Steinhausen, Hans-Christoph
Minderaa, Ruud
Nijmeijer, Judith
Hoekstra, Pieter J.
Oades, Robert D.
Roeyers, Herbert
Buschgens, Cathelijne
Christiansen, Hanna
Franke, Barbara
Gabriels, Isabel
Hartman, Catharina
Kuntsi, Jonna
Marco, Rafaela
Meidad, Sheera
Mueller, Ueli C.
Psychogiou, Lamprini
Rommelse, Nanda N. J.
Thompson, Margaret
Uebel, Henrik
Ebstein, Richard P.
Eisenberg, Jacques
Manor, Iris
Miranda, Ana
Mulas, Fernando
Sergeant, Joseph
Sonuga-Barke, Edmund J.
Asherson, Phil
Faraone, Steven V.
Gill, Michael
DOI
10.1007/s10803-008-0621-3
Abstract
It is hypothesised that autism symptoms are present in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), are familial and index subtypes of ADHD. Autism symptoms were compared in 821 ADHD probands, 1050 siblings and 149 controls. Shared familiality of autism symptoms and ADHD was calculated using DeFries-Fulker analysis. Autism symptoms were higher in probands than siblings or controls, and higher in male siblings than male controls. Autism symptoms were familial, partly shared with familiality of ADHD in males. Latent class analysis using SCQ-score yielded five classes; Class 1(31%) had few autism symptoms and low comorbidity; Classes 2-4 were intermediate; Class 5(7%) had high autism symptoms and comorbidity. Thus autism symptoms in ADHD represent a familial trait associated with increased neurodevelopmental and oppositional/conduct disorders.