Author: Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia
Published: 2025/02/13
Type of publication: Statistical data and analysis
Pairs: Yeah
Issue: ADHD and ADD – Publications list
Page content: Synopsis – Introduction – Major – Ideas, updates
Synopsis: The study of 3.5 million adults finds ADHD rates 10 times higher in autistic adults without intellectual disabilities; MEDICINES FOR ADHD linked to better health results.
Why does it matter: This study, an academic analysis published in Open Jama NetworkIt reveals that adults with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disabilities are more likely to have ADHD compared to the general population. When analyzing Medicaid data of more than 3.5 million adults, researchers found that concurrent ADHD in autistic adults correlates with greater risks of substance use, cardiovascular problems and injuries, however, medicines for ADHD improved the results In most cases. The findings highlight the critical gaps in the care of the entire life of autistic adults, particularly those with ADHD, and underline the need for integrated medical care strategies to address the superimposed physical, behavioral and development needs. This research is vital for doctors, those in charge of formulating policies and families that seek broader access to ADHD treatments, Disabled world (DW).
Introduction
The first national cohort study based on the population found that ADHD rates are 10 times higher than the general population among adults with autism without intellectual disabilities.
Main article
In a great study of more than 3.5 million adults, researchers at the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia (Chop), the University of Drexel and the George Washington University (GWU) found that hyperactivity care deficit disorder ( ADHD) was very high among adults diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. In addition, concurrent ADHD was associated with worse health results, although patients who received medicines for ADHD had better results. The findings were published by the magazine Open Jama Network.
According to US disease control centers, there are more than 5 million American adults with autism. Previous studies have shown that adults with autism experience subopymal health and early mortality results compared to the general population. Anxiety and depression are more common and can lead to a lower quality of life. Therefore, many autistic adults and their families are looking for ways to identify health problems and find appropriate interventions.
ADHD is a common concurrent condition in young people diagnosed with autism and can also lead to bad health results. However, since ADHD rates often decrease with age, there is a critical gap of knowledge about the prevalence of ADHD in adult patients with autism. Understanding its prevalence, as well as the effects of ADHD management with medicines, could help inform clinical attention for these adults.
In this study, the researchers carried out an analysis of an adult cohort with American autism or intellectual disability with autism or intellectual disability. The data was collected between 2008 and 2019 and were analyzed between September 2023 and September 2024. The sample of the study included adults who were at least 18 years old, including autistic adults with and without coincidental disabilities, adults with intellectual disability without autism and adults from a random sample of registered individuals from Medicaid. Data from a total of 3,506,661 adults were used in the study.
“In general terms, ADHD rates decrease as children grow, but we discover that ADHD rates among autistic adults were almost identical to ADHD rates observed in autistic children,” said Principal Author Benjamin E. Yerys , PHD, a psychologist in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in Chop and director of the Passage Program at the Autism Research Center. “As autism rates continue to increase in childhood, at the clinical level, we must ensure that a greater number of patients with concurrent ADHD in adulthood has access to support programs that provide autism and ADHD services of the useful life.
The study found:
- Compared to the general population registered in Medicaid, 27% of autistic adults without intellectual disabilities had a diagnosis of concurrent ADHD, an increase of 10 times over the general population.
- 40% of adults with autism with intellectual disabilities and 19% of adults with intellectual disabilities, but no autism had concurrent ADHD.
- Less than 50% of all adults with ADHD received a medication recipe with ADHD.
- For adults with a diagnosis of ADHD, substance use rates, cardiovascular conditions and injury rates were also higher compared to adults without ADHD.
- Adults with ADHD who received drugs for ADHD had lower rates of substance use, cardiovascular conditions and injuries with an exception.
- The medicines for ADHD were not associated with lower substances use rates between autistic adults with intellectual disabilities and ADHD diagnosis compared to those adults who do not take medications for ADHD.
Using these findings as a starting point, the authors of the study suggest that there is the opportunity to better coordinate services through the health of behavior, physical health and developmental disabilities services for these patients, and identify what problems, such as Substance abuse are more frequent and can lead more specific interventions during routine attention appointments.
Study details
This study was supported by the Administration of Resources and Health Services (HRSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services of the United States (HHS) under the UT6MC45902 Cooperative Agreement. Autism intervention research in Physical Health (Air-P (Air-P (Air-P ().
The study was also supported by alternative approaches to support ASD services for young adults through the R01MH117653 subsidy. The additional support was provided by the subsidies of the National Health Institutes R01MH133838, R21MH129777, P50HD105354, R01MH100028, R21HD106164, R21MH129777, P50HD1142 and R01MH13383.
Yerys et al, “Prevalence, treatment and results of ADHD in autistic adults with insults of Medicaid”. Jama Netw Open. Online February 12, 2025.
Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia
A non -profit charitable organization, Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the first pediatric hospital in the country. Through their long commitment to provide exceptional patient care, train new generations of pediatric and pioneer health professionals in the main research initiatives, the hospital has promoted many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide .
Editorial Note: This study underlines a critical reality but overlooked: autistic adults without intellectual disabilities face amazingly high TDA life. Cardiovascular disease. This research is a call to dismantle the silos among developmental, mental and physical health services. It is a matter of capital, ensuring that this community can access the same health and safety opportunities as its neurotypic pairs – Disabled world (DW).
Attribution/source (s): This pairs reviewed publication was selected for publication by the Disabent World (DW) editors due to its relevance for the disability community. Originally written by Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia and published on 2025/02/13, this content may have been edited by style, clarity or brevity. For more details or clarifications, Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia It can be contacted in Chop.edu NOTE: Disapreded World does not provide any guarantee or endorsement related to this article.
Citing information and page references
Disability World (DW) is a comprehensive online resource that provides information related to disabilities, assistance and accessibility technologies. Founded in 2004, our website covers a wide range of issues, which include disability rights, medical care, education, employment and independent life, with the aim of supporting the community of disability and their families.
Cup this page (APA): Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2025, February 13). Autistic adults without intellectual disabilities face TDAH rates 10 times higher. Disabled world (DW). Retrieved on February 14, 2025 from www.disable-world.com/health/neurology/adhd-autism/hight
Permanent link: Autistic adults without intellectual disabilities face TDA rates 10 times higher : study of 3.5 million adults find TDAh rates 10 times higher in autistic adults without intellectual disabilities; MEDICINES FOR ADHD linked to better health results.
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