Autism severity as a predictor of inattention and impulsivity in toddlers

Kim Tureck, Department of Psychology , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge , LA , USA.
Johnny L. Matson, Department of Psychology , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge , LA , USA.
Paige Cervantes, Department of Psychology , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge , LA , USA.
Nicole Turygin, Department of Psychology , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge , LA , USA.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate how severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms predicts attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in atypically developing toddlers. METHOD: Parents/caregivers of 2300 atypically developing toddlers' ages 18-37 months were assessed about their children's behaviours using the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT) Part 1 and the inattention/impulsivity subscale of the BISCUIT-Part 2. RESULTS: ASD symptom severity was positively and significantly correlated with inattention/impulsivity, indicating that children with more severe symptoms of ASD tended to have higher scores on the measure of inattention/impulsivity, R(2) = 0.49, F (1, 2298) = 2234.72, p < 0.001. Additionally, ASD symptom severity significantly predicted inattention/impulsivity, β = 0.70, t (2298) = 47.27, p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: ASD symptom severity predicts rates of ADHD symptoms in atypically developing toddlers. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of other research.