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Physical Functioning, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems in Children With ADHD and Comorbid ASD: A Cross-Sectional Study

Simone Thomas, Emma Sciberras, […], Kate Lycett, Nicole Papadopoulos, and Nicole Rinehart [email protected]+2View all authors and affiliations

Volume 22, Issue 10

https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054715587096

Abstract
References
Biographies

Abstract

Objective: To examine (a) physical and daily functioning in children with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with ADHD alone and (b) whether decreased physical quality of life (QoL) is associated with increased emotional and behavioral problems in children with ADHD-ASD. Method: Cross-sectional study comprising 392 children with confirmed ADHD (ADHD-ASD, n = 93; ADHD alone, n = 299) recruited from 21 pediatric practices in Victoria, Australia. Data were collected via parent and teacher surveys. Key measures included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Results: Children with ADHD-ASD had poorer QoL across both psychosocial and physical health domains, and also had greater parent-reported behavioral, emotional, and peer problems, compared with children with ADHD alone. Poorer physical QoL partially mediated the relationship between comorbid ASD status and poorer emotional and behavioral functioning. Conclusion:The comorbid overlay of ASD in ADHD appears to influence not only problems in physical functioning but also the severity of problems relating to areas of emotional and behavioral functioning.

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Biographies

Simone Thomas is a PhD candidate at Deakin University and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. She is involved in research at Deakin Univesity investigating ways to improve outcomes for children with ASD and ADHD.

Emma Sciberras is a post-doctoral research fellow and clinical psychologist at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. She is also an honorary research fellow at the Department of Paediatrics, the University of Melbourne.

Kate Lycett is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne. She is involved in research at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute investigating ways to improve outcomes for children with ADHD.

Nicole Papadopoulos is a psychologist and research fellow at Deakin University, Australia.

Nicole Rinehart is a professor of clinical psychology at Deakin University, Australia, and an honorary fellow at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.

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