Inattention, Overactivity, and Impulsiveness in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Written in April 2011. Descriptions of people, programs and availability below describe that time.
Many children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD or autism) display abnormal behaviors such as restlessness, poor attention span, and overactivity. They are often unable to concentrate or stay focused on tasks or activities. They find it difficult to sit still and pay attention and can be overactive/hyperactive or impulsive.
Many of these symptoms are shared with children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The main features of ADHD are:
Impulsivity
- The child often blurts out answers even before the question has been finished.
- Problems with turn-taking
- Frequently interrupts conversations
- Intrudes in conversations or games
- Difficulty controlling emotions and may have angry outbursts
Inattention
- Easily distracted and appears not to listen to whoever is talking to them
- Difficulty remembering and following instructions
Hyperactivity
- Fidgets a lot and finds it hard to sit still
- Always moving and on the go
ADHD can coexist in a child with a diagnosis of autism. Health professionals often refer to a coexisting condition as “comorbid.” Although the two conditions are treated as separate conditions, there is considerable overlap between them. According to the National Autistic Society (NAS), researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry are currently interested and are conducting a study on the differences between ASD and ADHD.
However, there are other reasons that may cause inattention, overactivity, and impulsiveness. Some parents notice that certain foods or drinks seem to affect their child's behavior. Caffeine is a stimulant. Controlled studies have not found that sugar affects children's behavior (Wolraich et al., 1995), and one study found small effects of some artificial food colors and a preservative on hyperactivity in some children (McCann et al., 2007). It is always worthwhile to see a doctor who specializes in food intolerances or allergies. They may advise removing certain foods, beverages, or stimulants in the child’s diet if these are suspected to trigger an allergic response or intolerance and are exacerbating the existing features of autism.
Sometimes, environmental factors can cause sensitivity to a child diagnosed with autism, such as light and sounds that can be very distracting and uncomfortable. These can cause the child to become temporarily hyperactive or disruptive. Moreover, these incidents can be logged and observed to see if there is a pattern as to when the child becomes overstimulated.
Dealing with a child with autism and also has features of ADHD can be exhausting, often the child will have sleep problems that may or may not be associated with it, along with other abnormal behaviors. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), there are medications used in treating impulsivity and hyperactivity. Methylphenidate (Ritalin), a stimulant used for ADHD, reduced hyperactivity in about half of autistic children with hyperactivity in a large trial, though side effects such as irritability were more common than in children with ADHD alone (RUPP Autism Network, 2005). Since DSM-5 (2013), a child can be diagnosed with both autism and ADHD.
References:
National Autistic Society. Autism.org: The differences between autism and ADHD, retrieved March 22, 2011, from http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/take-part-in-surveys-and-research/research
National Institute of Mental Health. Nimh.nih.gov: Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders), Retrieved March 22, 2011, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/complete-index.shtml#pub3
Wolraich, M. L., Wilson, D. B., & White, J. W. (1995). The effect of sugar on behavior or cognition in children: A meta-analysis. JAMA, 274(20), 1617–1621.
McCann, D., et al. (2007). Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet, 370(9598), 1560–1567.
Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology Autism Network (2005). Randomized, controlled, crossover trial of methylphenidate in pervasive developmental disorders with hyperactivity. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(11), 1266–1274.
Copyright © by Special Learning Inc. All right reserved.
No part of this article may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, contact Special Learning Inc., at: contact@special-learning.com
Ready for More?
Ready for More?
Ready for More?
If you want to go further
ADHD Strategies: Family Training and Involvement, a recorded panel
ADHD Strategies: Family Training and Involvement
Dr. Ronald T. Brown and fellow panelists examine family expectations, social-skills practice, adult feedback and classroom self-management, for families and schools that need a shared approach to everyday ADHD difficulties.
$39
Not ready to buy? The starter guide is free.