It has yet to be clearly demonstrated whether these data suggest a one or two way co-morbidity. The percentage of children with ADHD comorbid with Autism Spectrum Disorder is still not completely understood, but there is a significant overlap (Mayes, Calhoun, Mays & Molitoris, 2012). Thus, the majority (59%) of those with PDD – NOS or Autism met criteria for Comorbid ADHD. In 2004 we reported that 26% of children in our sample of what was then referred to as Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified, met the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD – Combined Type, while 33% met the criteria for ADHD – Predominantly Inattentive Type (Goldstein & Schwebach, 2004). Traits of ASD and ADHD are strongly related in the general population as well as in clinical groups. Previous research by our group and others has, for example, found a significant overlap between these two conditions (Goldstein & Schwebach, 2004 Goldstein and Naglieri, 2009 van der Meer, Lappenschaar, Hartman, Greven, et. In the last twelve years, a number of peer reviewed studies have demonstrated the elevated incidence of ADHD symptoms within populations of children receiving DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 diagnoses of Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified.

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