Inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability

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McClain, M. B., Hasty Mills, A. M., & Murphy, L. (2017). Inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 70, 175-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2017.09.009

Publication date: 26 Sep 2017 Added to AutiHub: 9 Oct 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
3
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 3 (33.3%)
  1. Maryellen Brunson McClain
  2. Amber M. Hasty Mills
  3. Laura Murphy *

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Intellectual Disability (ID) are common co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders; however, limited research exists regarding the presentation and severity of overlapping symptomology, particularly inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, when a child is diagnosed with one of more of these neurodevelopmental disorders. AIMS: As difficulties with inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity are symptoms frequently associated with these disorders, the current study aims to determine the differences in the severity of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in children diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, ID, and co-occurring diagnosis of ADHD/ID, ASD/ADHD, and ASD/ID. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Participants in the current study included 113 children between the ages of 6 and 11 who were diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, ID, ADHD/ID, ASD/ADHD, or ASD/ID. Two MANOVA analyses were used to compare these groups witih respsect to symptom (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity) severity. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Results indicated that the majority of diagnostic groups experienced elevated levels of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. However, results yielded differences in inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity severity. In addition, differences in measure sensitivity across behavioral instruments was found. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders often exhibit inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, particularly those with ADHD, ASD, ASD/ADHD, and ADHD/ID; therefore, differential diagnosis may be complicated due to similarities in ADHD symptom severity. However, intellectual abilities may be an important consideration for practitioners in the differential diagnosis process as children with ID and ASD/ID exhibited significantly less inattention and hyperactive/impulsive behaviors. Additionally, the use of multiple behavior rating measures in conjunction with other assessment procedures may help practitioners determine the most appropriate diagnosis.

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Cited references
51
With a DOI
41
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
9
0 / 51 (0.0%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
2 / 51 (3.9%)
References with detected author names
49 / 51 (96.1%)
Without detected author names
2
Without a structured title
0
Without a stable identifier
8
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
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Author names detected in the cited bibliography
159
From DOI or external metadata
159
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
28 / 159 (17.6%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 131 / 159 (82.4%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
0 / 159 (0.0%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 0 / 28 (0.0%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 0 / 146 (0.0%).
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