ADHD and Autism: Is It in the Genes?

ADHD may have a lot in common with autism, including some abnormal genes. New research investigates the link between these two conditions.

By Chris Iliades, MD

Reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

ADHD and autism are certainly in the news lately, with the rates of both conditions increasing by what seems like the minute. But is there a possible genetic link between the two?

While there’s no definitive answer, new studies suggest that duplications or deletions of certain genes, called "copy number variants," may be a cause of ADHD as well as other ADHD-related conditions including autism.

These findings may eventually lead to other studies that help doctors understand the links between ADHD and autism. "We have suspected a link between ADHD and autism because these conditions and other related disabilities seem to run in families — but there is still a lot we don't understand," explains Elizabeth J. Short, PhD, professor of psychology and associate director of the Shubert Center at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. “There is a wide range of autism and a wide range of ADHD. We don't know how genes account for these differences.” Doctors also have no blood tests available to diagnose ADHD or autism.

Are Autism and ADHD Related Conditions?

While more research is needed to determine the exact genetic relationship between these two conditions, if there is one, the two conditions have many similarities. "ADHD and autism are certainly related clinically. For many years we have recognized overlapping symptoms, family histories, and even some common responses to treatment," says Deborah A. Pearson, PhD, director of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Research Laboratory at the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center.

Pearson says that children with the higher functioning type of autism called Asperger disorder are the most likely to share symptoms with ADHD. "About 40 percent of children with autism may show symptoms that are also common in ADHD," she says. These symptoms may include:

• Inability to keep still
• Unable to control behavior
• Clumsiness
• Short attention span
• Temper tantrums
• Careless mistakes
• Emotional outbursts

"Although the symptoms may seem similar, the diagnosis of ADHD and autism is not likely to be confused,” says Short. “They are different disorders and they feel different clinically. Autistic children at their core have an inability to relate socially that you do not see in children with ADHD."

Parenting Challenges for ADHD and Autism

Although autism and ADHD are different disorders, many of the parenting challenges are quite similar. "Both disorders require a lot of effort and reinforcement of good behavior," notes Short. Some other parenting tips that may help include:

• Seek attainable goals and reward good efforts.
• Don't be a "helicopter parent." In other words, don’t hover over your children. Let them develop to their own potential.
• Create a home environment with as much organization and structure as possible.

The experts agree that the best advice on parenting if you have a child with ADHD or autism is to throw out the labels and treat your child as an individual with his own unique potential and value. "I have seen thousands of children with autism or ADHD and no two are alike," says Pearson. "Each child is an individual and there are no 'cookie cutter' solutions when it comes to parenting."

(everydayhealth.com)