Examining the Conners 3–Short Form Predictability on Comorbid ADHD Symptomatology in Children that have been Diagnosed with ASD

Abstract

With the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) in 2013, newfound interest grew around the comorbidity of ASD and ADHD. However, the restructuring of both diagnosable descriptors has led to concerns surrounding prevalence rates, deliverable treatments, and identification of comorbid symptomatology. This study focuses on the use of the Conners, Third Edition-Parent Short Form [C3-P(S)]. In the current longitudinal study with 239 participants of typically developing youth (n=102) and youth with ASD (n=137), the C3-P(S) is administered alongside other screening and diagnostic tools. Using the data gathered from the measure alongside their diagnosis of ASD, the study aims to analyze if there is a significant difference between the C3-P(S) subscale scores of the TD and ASD groups. From there, this project serves to make predictions around whether participants present with a profile of co-occurring ADHD symptoms. A second goal is to observe which of the six subscales stands out the most in predicting ADHD comorbid symptomatology in participants who meet the criteria based on the C3-P(S). The results of this study found significant differences among all categories of the C3-P(S) between TD and ASD youth. A larger percentage of ASD children met criteria for ADHD as compared to their TD peers. Additionally, among participants who met screener criteria for ADHD, children with ASD scored significantly higher in the hyperactivity/impulsivity, learning problems, and peer relations subscales. These findings suggest potential predictability of differentiating ASD and ADHD symptomatology using the C3-P(S) if paired with more robust diagnostic tools.