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Executive Functioning, Social Cognition, Pragmatics, and Social Interaction in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • ADHD (C Colomer Diago, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review synthesizes the most relevant literature on similarities and differences between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in four developmental domains.

Recent Findings

Regarding executive functioning (EF), children with ASD present greater deficits in planning and flexibility, whereas problems with inhibitory control are more severe in ADHD. With respect to theory of mind (ToM) impairments, the ASD group is more affected, and difficulties occur later in ADHD. In pragmatics, both groups exhibit problems with coherence or inappropriate beginnings, however, children with ADHD have a better performance on stereotyped language and non-verbal communication. Finally, in contrast with children with ASD, participants with ADHD demonstrate knowledge of social skills, but they experience problems in performing social behaviors.

Summary

In terms of impairments, children with ADHD are located in an intermediate point between ASD and typical development (TD). Clinical implications are highlighted, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Belén Roselló, Carmen Berenguer, Pilar Navío & Ana Miranda

  2. Universidad Católica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Belén Roselló & Inmaculada Baixauli

Authors
  1. Belén Roselló
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  2. Carmen Berenguer
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  3. Pilar Navío
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  4. Inmaculada Baixauli
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  5. Ana Miranda
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Correspondence to Belén Roselló.

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Conflict of Interest

Belén Roselló, Carmen Berenguer, Inmaculada Baixauli, Pilar Navio and Ana Miranda declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on ADHD

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Roselló, B., Berenguer, C., Navío, P. et al. Executive Functioning, Social Cognition, Pragmatics, and Social Interaction in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Dev Disord Rep 4, 72–77 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-017-0114-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-017-0114-1

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