Behavioral characteristics of toddlers later identified with an autism diagnosis, ADHD symptoms, or combined autism and ADHD symptoms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Autism commonly co-occurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but less is known regarding how ADHD symptoms impact the early presentation of autism. This study examined early behavioral characteristics of a community sample of toddlers later identified with autism diagnosis, ADHD symptoms, combined autism and ADHD symptoms, or neither condition.

Methods

Participants were 506 toddlers who were part of a longitudinal study of children's behavioral development. Parents completed questionnaires about their children's behavior at two time points. Four groups were identified based on study measures or medical record: autism diagnosis (n = 45), elevated ADHD symptoms (n = 70), autism and ADHD symptoms (n = 30), or neurotypical development (n = 361). Rel

SUBMITTER: Davis NO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11757087 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature