A study carried out by researchers from the Nutrition and Mental Health group of the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) of Tarragona in which the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was analyzed. ) in schoolchildren in the Tarragona region and how they influence social relationships has found that the risk of suffering abuse, isolation or social exclusion can triple in children affected by any of these disorders.
The Epidemiological Study of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (EPINED) included data from 7,000 students in two age groups: students in the fourth year of Early Childhood Education and in the fifth year of Primary Education from a representative sample of the entire province. In the first phase of the study, researchers Núria Voltas, Fina Canals, Paula Morales and Carmen Hernández, from the Department of Psychology, determined the prevalence – the number of cases diagnosed at a specific time and environment – of autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit and hyperactivity in children from the Tarragona area.
Teachers and families responded to tests that allowed them to identify those cases with signs of presenting one of the two disorders. From this evaluation, they selected a sample of 700 children, including a control group to evaluate the correct functionality of the methodology. After conducting interviews with the children and their families and studying all the cases individually, the researchers concluded that 1.5% of the children had ASD and 5% had ADHD.
“We also evaluated other children with difficulties who did not meet all the criteria for a diagnosis. If we include them, we can say that 3.5% of the children presented some ASD symptoms,” stated the researchers, who have published their findings in the journal Autism.
Bullying, isolation or social exclusion in children with ASD or ADHD
Another objective of the research was to determine if and to what extent children diagnosed with these disorders feel socially disadvantaged. The researchers found that 35% of elementary school children with ADHD reported experiencing some type of bullying, isolation or social exclusion. “This phenomenon is aggravated in children with combined ADHD, that is, with all the typical symptoms: attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity,” explained Núria Voltas.
The researchers also observed that 58% of schoolchildren with ASD – characterized by behavioral problems and difficulties in social interaction and communication – felt displaced and excluded.
“Children with ASD want to relate to others, but they don’t know how; In the case of ADHD, they are so impulsive and intense that the disorder influences their relationships with others,” explains Fina Canals. These characteristics mean that their behavior may be perceived as “strange” or “annoying” by their peers. For schoolchildren without any type of diagnosed disorder, the rate of perceived bullying, isolation or social exclusion is 18%.
“Children with ASD want to relate to others, but they don’t know how; “In the case of ADHD, they are so impulsive and intense that the disorder influences their relationships with others,”
The research also revealed that, in minors with both disorders, that is, with comorbid disorders, there was a greater sense of social isolation. These results do not refer to children with ASD and ADHD in the fourth year of Early Childhood Education, since they are not mature enough to respond to tests on their perception of bullying victimization.
“Bullying has long-lasting consequences and increases fear of social relationships; Having ASD or ADHD and feeling like a victim increases emotional problems,” says Fina Canals. When these people grow up and enter adolescence and adulthood, they have “very high rates of mental health disorders” and a “high risk of suicide.” For this reason, the authors of the research call for anti-bullying programs to include specific measures for at-risk groups.
Source: Rovira i Virgili University (URV)
