A comparison of tantrum behavior profiles in children with ASD, ADHD and comorbid ASD and ADHD

The present study was conducted to compare rates of tantrum behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (n = 255), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 40) and children with comorbid ASD and ADHD (n = 47). Parents/guardians of children aged 3-16 years were surveyed about their children's behaviors using the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Comorbidity for Children (ASD-C-C). Children with ADHD alone differed from children with ASD alone and children with comorbid ASD and ADHD on rates of tantrum behaviors. Examination of individual tantrum behavior items indicated that children with comorbid ASD and ADHD have a more similar symptom presentation to children with ASD than children with ADHD. This study adds to the literature on the presentation of common co-occurring behaviors of ASD when there is comorbid ADHD. The implications of these findings may aid in the assessment and treatment of tantrum behaviors in children with comorbid ASD and ADHD.