ADHD symptom subtypes in children with pervasive developmental disorder.
DSM-IV ADHD subtypes hold steady in kids with PDD, so assess and label them the same way you would for any child.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Gadow et al. (2006) asked if DSM-IV ADHD subtypes show up the same way in kids with pervasive developmental disorder. They compared preschool and school-age children with PDD to kids without PDD. All children were scored on the same ADHD checklist.
Researchers looked at three subtypes: Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined. They checked whether the pattern of symptoms matched across the two groups.
What they found
The subtypes looked the same in both groups. Kids with PDD who met Combined type had the heaviest load of ADHD symptoms. Inattentive and Hyperactive-Impulsive types showed the expected, lighter pattern.
The study says DSM-IV criteria work for spotting ADHD subtypes inside PDD. Clinicians can use the same rules they use for typical kids.
How this fits with other research
Lecavalier et al. (2011) conceptually repeated the test. They ran statistics on parent and teacher ratings of 229 preschoolers with ASD. Parent ratings again backed the same DSM-IV ADHD, ODD, and mood syndromes, giving extra muscle to the 2006 finding.
Hong et al. (2021) extended the picture downward. They found 57% of toddlers and preschoolers with ASD already show moderate-to-high ADHD symptoms. This suggests early screening is needed, but it does not clash with D et al.—it simply widens the age window.
Dellapiazza et al. (2021) carried the work into middle childhood. They showed kids who meet both ASD and ADHD criteria have extra social impairment and unique behavior profiles. Together the studies build a timeline: valid subtypes in preschool, clear dual-diagnosis features by elementary years.
Why it matters
You can trust DSM-IV ADHD subtypes when a child also has ASD or PDD. Use the same cutoff scores and subtype labels. Start screening early—toddler data say ADHD features are already common. When both diagnoses apply, plan for stronger social-skills support and watch for compounded behavior issues. Document the subtype; Combined type signals the highest symptom load and may need the most intensive intervention.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
OBJECTIVE: Compares DSM-IV ADHD subtypes in large samples of 3-to-5 and 6-to-12 year old children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) vs. nonPDD clinic referrals. METHOD: Parents and teachers completed a DSM-IV-referenced rating scale. RESULTS: ADHD subtypes were clearly differentiated from the nonADHD group and showed a differential pattern of co-occurring psychiatric symptoms (more pronounced for teacher- than parent-defined subtypes and older than younger children) that was similar in both PDD and nonPDD samples. The Combined type had more severe oppositional, aggressive, and PDD symptoms than Inattentive type and were from less advantaged homes than other subtypes. Hyperactive-Impulsive type was least impaired. CONCLUSION: Findings support the notion that ADHD may be a clinically meaningful syndrome in children with PDD.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2006 · doi:10.1007/s10803-005-0060-3