Heightened Anxiety and Depression Among Autistic Adolescents with ADHD: Findings From the National Survey of Children’s Health 2016–2019

Data from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2016–2019 was used to examine the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD and the impact on anxiety and depression among adolescents age 12–17. Rates of anxiety and depression were up to ten-fold the prevalence of adolescents not diagnosed with autism or ADHD. Over half of autistic females (57%) and nearly half of autistic males (49%) are also diagnosed with ADHD. Autistic females with ADHD had the highest co-occurrence of anxiety at 72% followed by autistic males with ADHD at 69%. The prevalence of depression was highest among autistic adolescents with ADHD yet was consistent across genders (male/female) at 38–39%. Adolescents diagnosed with autism and/or ADHD are at heightened risk for anxiety and depression.