INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AUTISM SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER AND BROAD AUTISM PHENOTYPE AND ALEXITHYMIC CHARACTERISTICS IN THEIR PARENTS

Abstract

The study aims to examine autism-like symptoms in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as to evaluate the broad autism phenotype characteristics and alexithymia levels of their parents and to compare these results with the results of control groups and their parents. Several hypotheses were put forward: (1) children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder will exhibit higher levels of autism characteristics compared to children in the typically developing group, (2) parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder will have higher levels of the broad autism phenotype characteristics compared to typically developing group parents, (3) they will have higher levels of alexithymia, (4) positive correlations will be observed between children's autistic characteristics and parents' the broad autism phenotype characteristics and alexithymia levels. The research findings underline that autistic traits are increased in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, highlighting a notable intersection between these two neurodevelopmental conditions. Moreover, the study elucidates broad autism phenotype in parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, implying a potential shared genetic susceptibility or familial vulnerability between the disorders. The emergence of high alexithymic levels in parents of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-affected children raises interesting questions regarding emotional processing and regulation in familial contexts. Study findings were discussed and suggestions for future research were provided.