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Differential Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by Means of Inhibitory Control and ‘Theory of Mind’

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Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) are both associated with deficits in executive control and with problems in social contexts. This study analyses the variables inhibitory control and theory of mind (ToM), including a developmental aspect in the case of the latter, to differentiate between the disorders. Participants with an ASD (N = 86), an ADHD (N = 84) and with both disorders (N = 52) in the age range of 5–22 years were compared. Results were differences in inhibitory control (ADHD < ASD) and in the ToM performance among younger (ASD < ADHD) but not among older children. We discuss whether common deficits in ToM differ in the developmental course.

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Notes

  1. For the sake of simplicity, in what follows the term ‘children’ will be used even if the age-range in the sample of the study was 4–22 years.

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Acknowledgments

Dr Kamp-Becker was paid for public speaking by Medice. There is no conflict of interest for all other authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany

    Eva Bühler & Christian Bachmann

  2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Hans-Sachs-Strasse 6, 35033, Marburg, Germany

    Hannah Goyert, Monika Heinzel-Gutenbrunner & Inge Kamp-Becker

  3. Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg GmbH, Schützenstr. 49, 35039, Marburg, Germany

    Inge Kamp-Becker

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  1. Eva Bühler
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Bühler, E., Bachmann, C., Goyert, H. et al. Differential Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by Means of Inhibitory Control and ‘Theory of Mind’. J Autism Dev Disord 41, 1718–1726 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1205-1

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