Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Advances in Social-Cognitive and Educational Processes

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Neurology & Neurodevelopmental Disorders".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 4657

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders at school age. Both have a negative impact on individuals and their families because of their severity and persistence throughout the life cycle. The high prevalence rates of these disorders are indicative of the high costs they generate in terms of health care and educational expenses. Despite the differences in the nuclear symptomatology, ADHD is characterized by problems of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, while in ASD, there are predominant difficulties in communication, social interaction, and the presence of repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Both disorders show similarities, which have supported the possibility of a comorbid diagnosis of ASD + ADHD. More evidence is needed to contribute with new approaches to the different underlying cognitive domains of these disorders to achieve efficient assessment approaches and more effective treatments.

This Special Issue focuses on the current state of knowledge surrounding social-cognitive processes, learning and developmental outcomes, evaluation, and clinical and educational intervention of ASD and ADHD. The research population includes children and those in adolescence. Moreover, this SI aims to analyze the role of education in leading change through practice as well as constant innovation for a more inclusive education.

New research papers, reviews, and case reports are welcome. Papers dealing with new clinical and educational approaches to address family needs, social requirements, school functioning, educational needs, as well as those that highlight the developmental outcomes of ASD, ADHD, and ASD+ADHD, are welcome.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in IJERPH.

Dr. Simona De Stasio
Dr. Carmen Berenguer
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • ADHD
  • autism
  • social&ndash
  • developmental outcomes
  • cognitive processes
  • evaluation
  • educational intervention

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 471 KiB  
Article
Executive Functioning Profiles in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Parent–Child Outcomes
by Ana Pardo-Salamanca, Daniela Paoletti, Gemma Pastor-Cerezuela, Simona De Stasio and Carmen Berenguer
Children 2024, 11(8), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11080909 - 27 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 906
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit more executive function (EF) deficits compared to typically developing (TD) peers. EF deficits are linked to various impairments in daily functioning and increased parental stress. The first aim of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit more executive function (EF) deficits compared to typically developing (TD) peers. EF deficits are linked to various impairments in daily functioning and increased parental stress. The first aim of the present study is to investigate EFs in children with ASD and ADHD compared to their TD peers. The second aim is to explore profiles of executive functions in children with ASD and ADHD and, finally, to determine the differences of EF profiles in relation to parental stress and children’s functional impairments. Methods: The sample comprised 30 TD children, 47 children with ASD, and 34 children with ADHD, aged 8 to 12 years. Parents completed questionnaires of parenting stress, and children’s social and daily-life functioning. Parents and teachers reported information about children’s EF. Results: The results indicated significantly greater impairment of EFs in the clinical groups compared to the TD group. Moreover, three distinct clusters of functioning were identified based on the severity of reported EF difficulties. The significant findings showed that children with more severe EF profiles were associated with greater daily impairment and higher levels of perceived parental stress. Conclusions: Given the impact of EF deficits on the lives of children with ASD and ADHD and their families, it is crucial that studies like this enhance our understanding and inspire future interventions aimed at improving executive functions in children with ASD and ADHD. Such interventions could help reduce parental stress and improve daily functioning. Full article
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13 pages, 305 KiB  
Article
Serum Biomarker Analysis in Pediatric ADHD: Implications of Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Ferritin, and Iron Levels
by Tanja Lukovac, Olivera Aleksić Hil, Milka Popović, Vitomir Jovanović, Tatjana Savić, Aleksandra M. Pavlović and Dragan Pavlović
Children 2024, 11(4), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040497 - 22 Apr 2024
Viewed by 3265
Abstract
The current diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is based on history, clinical observation, and behavioral tests. There is a high demand to find biomarkers for the diagnosis of ADHD. The aim of this study is to analyze the serum profiles of [...] Read more.
The current diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is based on history, clinical observation, and behavioral tests. There is a high demand to find biomarkers for the diagnosis of ADHD. The aim of this study is to analyze the serum profiles of several biomarkers, including homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12, vitamin D, ferritin, and iron, in a cohort of 133 male subjects (6.5–12.5 years), including 67 individuals with an ADHD diagnosis based on DSM-V criteria and 66 age-matched healthy boys (healthy controls, HC). Assessments for ADHD included the Iowa Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale (CPRS) and the ADHDT test, as well as cognitive assessments using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the TROG-2 language comprehension test. Hcy and iron were quantified using spectrophotometry, while vitamin B12 and total 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were determined using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and ferritin was measured using a particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. The results showed significantly increased Hcy levels and decreased vitamin B12 levels in ADHD patients compared to HCs. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that Hcy is a potential prognostic indicator for ADHD. These results suggest that elevated homocysteine and decreased vitamin B12 may serve as markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of ADHD. Full article
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