Comorbidity and differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

DUAN Cailing; ZHOU Xue; LIU Lijun; LIU Yinchi; GUO Lanmin

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0822

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (11) : 1233-1239. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0822

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Comorbidity and differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

DUAN Cailing¹, ZHOU Xue², LIU Lijun¹, LIU Yinchi², GUO Lanmin³

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Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as a neurodevelopmental disorder, often co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions. Approximately 96% of children with ASD have at least one comorbid condition, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, intellectual disability, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, and tic disorders, among which ADHD is the most common. ASD and ADHD have a high overlap in genetics, immune system, intestinal microbiota, environmental exposure and behavioral manifestations, and there is a lack of clear distinguishing markers. Since the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which permits comorbid diagnosis of ASD and ADHD, there has been a lack of expert consensus and guidelines, making the clinical differential diagnosis of ASD, ADHD, and their comorbidities challenging. Therefore, this article elucidates the similarities and differences among ASD, ADHD, and their comorbidities in terms of pathogenic mechanisms and clinical symptoms, which has potential significance for future research on biomarkers of the three and development of cross-diagnostic assessment tools.

Key words

autism spectrum disorder / attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / comorbidity / differential diagnosis

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DUAN Cailing, ZHOU Xue, LIU Lijun, LIU Yinchi, GUO Lanmin. Comorbidity and differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(11): 1233-1239 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0822

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