The Association between Attention-Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder and Autistic Traits with Psychotic-like Experiences in Sample of Youths Who Were Referred to a Psychiatric Outpatient Service

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits in adolescents who experience psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), often ignored in clinical practice but widely prevalent in the general population. A total of 57 adolescents and young adults (aged between 16 and 24 years old) were recruited consecutively in the outpatient services. A total of 37 were females (64.9%), 18 were males (31.6%), and two participants (3.5%) were non-binary or gender non-conforming, with a mean age at referral of 18.26 ± 2.06. To investigate these symptoms, three sets of standardized questionnaires were used, as follows: the Autism Spectrum Quotient–short form (AQ-10), the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-42), and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). We found significant associations between the ASRS and AQ-10 total scores and all CAPE scales. The model which explained the highest variance was CAPE Score’s Total Frequency score (p < 0.001). Our findings underline the importance of investigating the presence of subthreshold ASD and ADHD symptoms in clinical populations, particularly in the period of adolescence and young adulthood, to promptly identify the presence of PLEs and, thus, prevent the onset of a frank psychotic disorder, particularly in the presence of a comorbid psychopathological condition, leading to better diagnosis and treatment for individuals with two or more of these conditions.

Keywords

• adolescence
• autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• traits of a disorder
• subthreshold symptoms
• psychotic-like experiences (PLEs)