Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Examine clinical correlates and distinguishing features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), ADHD, and tic disorders in girls referred for social impairment, attention/academic deficits, and/or tics.

METHOD:

One hundred 3- to 18-year-old girls referred for social impairment and attention symptoms were assessed in detail. Sixty of these girls, 7 to 16 years of age (IQ >or= 80) were compared with age-matched girls (IQ >or= 80) from the community.

RESULTS:

Main diagnoses of ASD, ADHD, tic disorders, and "other psychiatric disorder" were made in 46, 46, 3, and 5, respectively, of the referred girls. The ASD and ADHD groups (mean age at diagnosis 8.8 and 13.0 years, respectively) had the same types and high rates of psychiatric comorbidity. Girls with ASD had more problems with global functioning and adaptive levels of daily living skills than girls with ADHD. Differences between these girls referred for investigation and the community sample of girls were very considerable across a range of factors.

CONCLUSIONS:

Girls referred for social and/or attention deficits usually meet diagnostic criteria for either ASD or ADHD. They have severe psychiatric comorbidities and low global levels of functioning.