Comparison of DSM-IV symptoms in elementary school-age children with PDD versus clinic and community samples.
Elementary students with PDD present psychiatric comorbidity profiles mirroring other clinic referrals—screen for ADHD, ODD, and anxiety first.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team compared DSM-IV psychiatric symptoms in elementary kids with PDD against two groups: other clinic referrals and kids from the community.
All groups were aged six to twelve. Doctors rated each child on checklists for ADHD, ODD, anxiety, and depression.
What they found
Kids with PDD showed the same level of psychiatric trouble as non-PDD clinic patients. Both clinic groups scored higher than community kids.
ADHD, ODD, and anxiety were the top three concerns. The data say screen for these first.
How this fits with other research
Green et al. (2015) flipped the lens. They found that community kids with ADHD also show more ASD traits. Together, the two papers show the overlap runs both ways.
Coe et al. (1997) looked back at 233 charts and saw the same top three disorders. The match gives confidence the pattern is real, not a quirk of one clinic.
Taheri et al. (2012) and Greaves-Lord et al. (2013) warn that many PDD-NOS labels used here would vanish under DSM-5. If you re-test today, some kids may need a social communication label instead of ASD to keep services.
Why it matters
When a child lands on your caseload with PDD, plan to assess for ADHD, ODD, and anxiety right away. Use the same rating scales you give other clinic kids; the study shows they work. If the child carries an old PDD-NOS note, check against current DSM-5 rules and document social communication needs so services stay in place.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
This study compares DSM-IV symptoms in children (ages 6 to 12 years) with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), clinic controls, and community-based samples. Parents/teachers completed the Child Symptom Inventory-4 for four samples: PDD (N = 284/284) and non-PDD psychiatric clinic referrals (N = 189/181) and pupils in regular (N = 385/404) and special (N = 61/60) education classes. The PDD group received higher symptom severity ratings than the regular education group, but was similar to the non-PDD clinic sample. Screening prevalence rates were highest for ADHD, ODD, and generalized anxiety disorder. PDD subtypes exhibited differentially higher rates of psychiatric symptoms. The magnitude of rater and gender differences in symptom severity ratings was modest. Clinic-referred children with PDD exhibit a pattern of psychiatric symptoms highly similar to nonPDD clinic referrals. Although much additional research is needed on comorbidity, these symptoms have important treatment implications.
Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 2005 · doi:10.1177/1362361305056079