Learning behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder with and without comorbidity with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The literature has explored the learning problems presented by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the impact of comorbidity with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on learning in children with ASD has barely been analyzed. Goals. 1) To analyze the differences in the learning behavior of children with ASD with and without comorbidity with ADHD and children with typical development (TD); 2) Investigate the association between different domains of learning behaviors and behavioral and emotional problems in children with ASD and children with ASD + ADHD. Method. 87 children participated (30 with a diagnosis of high functioning ASD, 22 with ASD + ADHD and 36 with TD between 7 and 11 years matched in age, cognitive ability and vocabulary.) Teachers reported on the scale of learning behaviors (LBS), and the parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) Results The results showed significant differences between children with ASD with and without comorbidity in all LBS domains, and correlations revealed that less flexibility in the search of strategies for greater emotional problems in ASD and greater behavioral problems in ASD + ADHD Conclusions The findings highlight the negative impact of ADHD symptoms on all the learning prerequisites analyzed. emotional and behavioral problems in the ability to change when planning learning strategies in children with autism high performance.