Cited by 301Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchSchizophrenia research and treatment

ADHD and autism: differential diagnosis or overlapping traits? A selective review

Taurines, Regina, Schwenck, Christina, Westerwald, Eva, Sachse, Michael, Siniatchkin, Michael, Freitag, Christine·2012·ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders

Abstract

According to DSM-IV TR and ICD-10, a diagnosis of autism or Asperger Syndrome precludes a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, despite the different conceptualization, population-based twin studies reported symptom overlap, and a recent epidemiologically based study reported a high rate of ADHD in autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In the planned revision of the DSM-IV TR, dsm5 (www.dsm5.org), the diagnoses of autistic disorder and ADHD will not be mutually exclusive any longer. This provides the basis of more differentiated studies on overlap and distinction between both disorders. This review presents data on comorbidity rates and symptom overlap and discusses common and disorder-specific risk factors, including recent proteomic studies. Neuropsychological findings in the areas of attention, reward processing, and social cognition are then compared between both disorders, as these cognitive abilities show overlapping as well as specific impairment for one of both disorders. In addition, selective brain imaging findings are reported. Therapeutic options are summarized, and new approaches are discussed. The review concludes with a prospectus on open questions for research and clinical practice.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s12402-012-0086-2

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245 of 245 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Motivation deficits contribute to the core clinical symptomatology of both ASD and ADHD.

    “There is growing evidence to suggest that motivation deficits contribute to the core clinical symptomatology of both autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) (Taurines et al., 2012).”

    From Differentiating neural reward responsiveness in autism versus ADHD (2014) · cites this paper as Taurines et al., 2012

  • Based on available literature and current neurobiological models, it is plausible to assume that reward-based motivation deficits may lie at the core of both ASD and ADHD.

    “Although no direct link between brain dysfunction and clinical manifestation could be revealed, based on the available literature and current neurobiological models (Rommelse et al., 2011, Taurines et al., 2012), it is plausible to assume that reward-based motivation deficits may lie at the core of both ASD and ADHD (Dichter et al., 2012a).”

    From Differentiating neural reward responsiveness in autism versus ADHD (2014) · cites this paper as Taurines et al., 2012

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Authors
Taurines, R., Schwenck, C., Westerwald, E., Sachse, M., Siniatchkin, M., & Freitag, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Würzburg (DE)
  • Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
Corresponding author
Freitag, Christine
Venue
ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders
Published
2012-08-01
Volume
4
Issue
3
Pages
115-139
ISSN
  • 1866-6116 (ISSN-L)
  • 1866-6647
OpenAlex
W1997676278
Cited by
301
References
246
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 3
FWCI
3.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
Keywords
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome, differential diagnosis, comorbidities, symptom overlap, DSM-5, risk factors, proteomics, attention, reward processing, social cognition, neuroimaging, treatment
MeSH terms
Central Nervous System Stimulants, Animals, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Behavior Therapy, Diagnosis, Differential, Humans, Neuropsychological Tests, Risk Factors, Comorbidity, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Proteomics, Neuroimaging

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