Higher risk of anxiety and mood disorders have been found in kids with autism spectrum (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), finds a new study.
People With ASD Have Difficulty In Processing Facial Emotions
While behavioral response to face-stimuli was comparable across groups, the corresponding neural activity between ASD and TD groups differed dramatically.
While behavioral response to face-stimuli was comparable across groups, the corresponding neural activity between ASD and TD groups differed dramatically.
‘Children who were autistic and who also had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder had more than twice the risk of anxiety disorder.
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For the study's findings, researchers from Kennedy Krieger Institute examined the data
of a cross-sectional, network-based survey of children ages 6 to 17 years with ASD who were enrolled in the Interactive Autism Network, between 2006 and 2013. Of the 3,319 children in the study, 1,503 (45.3%) had ADHD. The survey data were analyzed for parent-reported diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, anxiety disorder, and mood disorders. Children with ASD and ADHD had more than twice (or 2.2 times) the risk of anxiety disorder and 2.7 times the risk of other mood disorders. Researchers also found that these psychiatric conditions were more prevalent in older children.
"We have known that anxiety and mood disorders are highly prevalent in those with ASD," says Eliza Gordon-Lipkin, MD, [lead] study author and fellow, Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute. "This study, however, takes it another step further, providing insights on the differences between children with just ASD versus those with ASD and ADHD. What exactly happens in the human brain that causes children with ASD to have other mental health conditions is not fully understood, but we hope this study inspires other researchers to pursue the answer to this question."
Meeting Transportation Needs May Improve Lives of ASD Patients
Adults with ASD travel primarily as passengers of cars driven by their parents or other family members, which often results in stress and inconvenience for both.
Adults with ASD travel primarily as passengers of cars driven by their parents or other family members, which often results in stress and inconvenience for both.
"The takeaway from the study's findings and one that both parents of children with ASD and doctors need to keep in mind is that managing these psychiatric disorders is a dual effort. That by working closely together in monitoring a child for anxiety and mood symptoms, we can ensure early diagnosis and treatment, which is key to preserving a child's quality of life.," said Paul H. Lipkin, director of Medical Informatics and the Interactive Autism Network at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
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Small Gene Variations Can Increase Risk Of ASD
Accumulation of many small, common genetic variations rather than large-effect, rare changes in the genetic code may result in an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Accumulation of many small, common genetic variations rather than large-effect, rare changes in the genetic code may result in an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
