Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: assessing attention and response control with the integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test

Child Neuropsychol. 2006 Aug;12(4-5):335-48. doi: 10.1080/09297040500350938.

Abstract

Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been widely reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current study investigated attention and response control in children with ASD, ADHD, and typical development using the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test. Results indicate that many children with ASD show significant deficits in visual and auditory attention and greater deficits in impulsivity than children with ADHD or typical development. These findings suggest that many of the children with ASD demonstrate significant ADHD-like deficits. These findings are discussed in the context of symptoms, subtypes, and comorbidity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / complications
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology*
  • Auditory Perception / physiology*
  • Autistic Disorder / complications
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology
  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / complications
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology
  • Intelligence Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Parents
  • Task Performance and Analysis*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*