ADHD and Autism Diagnosis

From Health Beat:

 Like most 7-year-old boys, Darren Meeks loves to play with his monster trucks and ride his scooter, but Darren knows he's different. "I'm autistic, so I'm more sensitive," he said. Darren was diagnosed with autism at age four.

"He was diagnosed with ADHD a year later," said his mom, Myranda Meeks.

"Forty to 60 percent of children with autism also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD," explained Dr. Geraldine Dawson, the director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development. Dawson said it's unknown why the conditions tend to overlap, but she said children with both may get a delayed autism diagnosis.

"In fact, those children are 30 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism after age six," she said. So, researchers at Duke University are conducting a study that focuses on early detection.

"We're going to be following 9,000 children from the community," stated Dawson. Researchers will measure the brain's response to information to help them better understand the link. "We want to see whether treating the ADHD symptoms will allow the child with autism to better benefit from early intervention," Dawson explained.

Myranda admitted life has changed after the dual diagnosis, but Darren is thriving in school and has lots of friends. (Read more.)