Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on ADHD in Autistic Youth

Researchers looked at the relationships between neighborhood features and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in kids with developmental delays (DD) and autism in a new study that was published in JCPP Advances.

Their findings underscore the need for improvements and increased resources in these areas in order to lessen disparities among children with this prevalent neurodevelopmental disease. Autistic teenagers from impoverished communities exhibit greater symptoms of ADHD.

Context
According to research, between 40% and 70% of children with autism exhibit enhanced symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD). This could be associated with worse outcomes from treatment, increased functional impairment, and deficiencies in language, adaptation, socialization, and behavior.

Although the hereditary component of ADHD has been proven, environmental factors are now considered to be important. Research has shown a connection between ADHD symptoms and family conflict, parenting style, parental distress, and the socioeconomic status (SES) of the home and neighborhood.

There may also be a role for other neighborhood features including fewer green spaces, fewer amenities, run-down homes, vandalism, and a lack of social support and safety.

Nevertheless, no research has been done on the relationships between neighborhood-level characteristics and ADHD symptoms in kids with DD or autism.

About the study
Using multidimensional metrics that comprised information on social, economic, health, environmental, and educational domains, researchers looked into the possibility of a connection between ADHD symptoms in adolescent or mid-childhood with exposure to subpar neighborhood resources or conditions. The scores for neighborhood opportunities were determined using these.

They examined this association in three groups of kids: normally developing (TD), autistic, and DD but not autistic.

In the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) study, children were evaluated between the ages of two and five at the initial assessment, and between the ages of eight and twenty at the follow-up, when the 58-point Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) was used to evaluate symptoms of ADHD.

Covariates included race, ethnicity, gestational age at delivery, sex assigned at birth, and family SES (including household education and financial hardship). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression models were used to analyze the data.

In conclusion
This study, which focuses on autistic kids and those with DD without autism, investigates the relationship between unfavorable neighborhood conditions at birth and ADHD symptoms in mid-childhood and adolescence.

The results show that, especially in the case of autistic individuals, lower neighborhood opportunities are linked to higher symptoms of ADHD, indicating that these individuals may be more susceptible to environmental variables.

The study emphasizes the significance of local social and economic resources, which have a substantial impact on ADHD outcomes in children with autism.

This study’s strengths are its wide range of participants, exacting diagnostic standards, and evaluation of verified neighborhood conditions.

Nevertheless, there are certain drawbacks, such as the dependence on parent-reported ADHD symptoms, possible biases, and failure to take neighborhood or family changes into consideration. Furthermore, the sample’s high socioeconomic class may have limited how broadly the results may be applied.

Even while there are helpful therapies for kids with autism and ADHD, those from less affluent areas might not have as much access to these programs and other possibilities.

The study emphasizes the need for more investigation on neighborhood effects at various phases of development.

In order to potentially lessen long-term inequities in ADHD outcomes, it proposes legislative initiatives to enhance services for neurodevelopmentally challenged children in underprivileged neighborhoods.

For more information: Examining the association of neighborhood conditions on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in autistic youth using the child opportunity index 2.0, JCPP Advances, https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.12267