Increased clinical and neurocognitive impairment in children with autism spectrum disorders and comorbid bipolar disorder

Bipolar (BD) symptomatology is prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and may lead to increased impairment. The current study compared clinical and neurocognitive impairment in children (7–13 years) diagnosed with ASD (n = 55), BD (n = 34), ASD + BD (n = 23), and a non-clinical control group (n = 27). Relative to the ASD group, the ASD + BD group reported elevated rates of aggression and delinquency, behavioral disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidal ideation, and poorer performance on the Stroop Color-Word Test. Future research might address how best to improve diagnostic assessment and adapt treatment to meet the needs of this uniquely impaired population.