Distinguishing between autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by using behavioral checklists, cognitive assessments, and neuropsychological test battery

Naomi Matsuura; Makoto Ishitobi; Sumiyoshi Arai; Kaori Kawamura; Mizuki Asano; Keisuke Inohara; Tadamasa Narimoto; Yuji Wada; Michio Hiratani; Hirotaka Kosaka

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2014.06.011

Distinguishing between autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by using behavioral checklists, cognitive assessments, and neuropsychological test battery

Asian J Psychiatr. 2014 Dec:12:50-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2014.06.011. Epub 2014 Jul 10.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Tokyo University of Social Welfare, 2-13-32, Marunouchi Naka-ku, Nagoya-City 460-0002, Japan. Electronic address: matuuranaomi@yahoo.co.jp.
² Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 MatsuokaShimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan.
³ Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 MatsuokaShimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui 910-1193 Japan; Developmental Emotional Intelligence, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development United Graduate School of Child Development,23-3 MatsuokaShimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.
⁴ Hiratani Pediatric Clinic, 1409-2 Kitayotsui, Fukui-shi, Fukui 918-8205, Japan.
⁵ Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 MatsuokaShimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui 910-1193, Japan; Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 MatsuokaShimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui 910-1193 Japan.
⁶ Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 MatsuokaShimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.
⁷ Tokyo University of Social Welfare, 2-13-32, Marunouchi Naka-ku, Nagoya-City 460-0002, Japan.
⁸ Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 MatsuokaShimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui 910-1193 Japan; Hiratani Pediatric Clinic, 1409-2 Kitayotsui, Fukui-shi, Fukui 918-8205, Japan.

PMID: 25440561
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2014.06.011

Abstract

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) share many common symptoms, including attention deficit, behavioral problems, and difficulties with social skills. The aim of this study was to distinguish between ASD and ADHD by identifying the characteristic features of both the disorders, by using multidimensional assessments, including screening behavioral checklists, cognitive assessments, and comprehensive neurological battery. After screening for comorbid disorders, we carefully selected age-, sex-, IQ-, and socio-economic status-matched children with typical development (TD). In the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children, a lower score was observed for the ASD group than for the TD group in Picture concept, which is a subscale of perceptual reasoning. A lower score was shown by the ADHD group than by the TD group in the spatial working memory test in the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB(®)). Although ASD and ADHD have many similar symptoms, they can be differentiated by focusing on the behavioral and cognitive characteristics of executive function.

Keywords: ADHD; ASD; Behavioral assessments; CANTAB(®); WISC-IV.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
Checklist
Child
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / diagnosis*
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / psychology
Cognition
Diagnosis, Differential
Executive Function
Female
Humans
Male
Neuropsychological Tests
Surveys and Questionnaires