ADHD & Autism. The Overlapping Genetic Link and What Lies Underneath

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Brianne Parrish
6 years ago
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1 ADHD & Autism The Overlapping Genetic Link and What Lies Underneath

2 Learning Objectives: Present key medical research that powerfully demonstrates a genetic overlap between ADHD/ Autism and implications Provide a shift in perspective on adult ADHD challenges and create a picture of what empowering from a place of strength looks like. Introduce the "Attention Model" and demonstrate its effectiveness through the skill of "Attending". Apply the use of attending for our clients to develop and implement sensory strategies that creates focus, motivation, and follow-through

3 More than 50% of children with ADHD meet the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders.

4 More than 50% of children with ADHD meet the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders. It is estimated that 30 to 80% of children with autism have ADHD

5 ADHD: Inattention Hyperactivity Impulsivity

6 Autism: Social interaction Communication Repetitiveness

7 Subtle behavioral differences... Which one is it?

8 Hyperactive child experiencing anxiety due to sudden changes in his environment. VS. Hyperactive child needing to release energy

9 Autism and ADHD showing up in the same families and showing aggression and general disruptive behavior

10 Researchers started digging in and found clues!

11 "There is a lot more to discover about the genetics of both conditions." Philip Asherson, Prof. of Molecular Psychiatry, Kings College, London, England

12 More than half of the genes in one condition also influenced the other condition

13 Individuals with ADHD score higher on tests for autism-like symptoms than do their siblings or "healthy" controls.

14 Individuals with ADHD score higher on tests for autism-like symptoms than do their siblings or "healthy" controls. Male siblings of children with ADHD score higher on the tests than do children in the general population.

15 Researchers collected DNA and behavioral data...

16 Researchers collected DNA and behavioral data children with ADHD

17 Researchers collected DNA and behavioral data children with ADHD 349 children with autism

18 22 kids with ADHD had a copy number variation not found in "healthy" kids and five of those kids had copy number variations that also appeared in nine kids with autism.

19 22 kids with ADHD had a copy number variation not found in "healthy" kids and five of those kids had copy number variations that also appeared in nine kids with autism. A mutation in the gene ASTN2 found in the development of neurons reveals more...

20 "Clearly these are genes that affect the development of the brain. But why changes in these genes would be shaped into one disorder in one person and a different disorder in another person is going to be a question for a long time, I'm sure." Russell Schachar, Senior Scientist of Psychiatry at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

21 What do we conclude? The studies indicate literally hundreds of genes at play in autism and a different combination could be at the root of each child's case.

22 What do we conclude? The studies indicate literally hundreds of genes at play in autism and a different combination could be at the root of each child's case. Diagnostic labels limit our ability to understand and intervene on behalf of ADHD and autistic individuals

23 What do we conclude? The studies indicate literally hundreds of genes at play in autism and a different combination could be at the root of each child's case. Diagnostic labels limit our ability to understand and intervene on behalf of ADHD and autistic individuals Finding the genetic beacons and brain pathways they control will eventually help us target better treatments.

24 Beyond the labels: New perspective on the challenges facing adults with ADHD

25 Beyond the labels: New perspective on the challenges facing adults with ADHD Adult ADHD in a place of strength

26 Beyond the labels: New perspective on the challenges facing adults with ADHD Adult ADHD in a place of strength What's underneath the label?

27 Beyond the labels: New perspective on the challenges facing adults with ADHD Adult ADHD in a place of strength What's underneath the label? Interventions

28 What does the general public conclude in their minds when they hear these three descriptive words? Inattention Hyperactivity Impulsivity

29 ADHD: A challenge of attention

30 ADHD: A challenge of attention A challenge of interest

31 ADHD: A challenge of attention A challenge of interest A challenge of integrity

32 The "Attention Model"

33 "The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." Albert Einstein

34 Attending: Paying attention... Huh?...to what is being paid attention to.

35 "I just want to hit the ball. " 8-year-old boy

36 The skill of "attending" applied: Allow me to introduce you to Bob!

37 Inattentive and unaware Forgetful, Mind Drifting "Oh, I forgot!" Excessive attention to nonproductive activity with repetition

38 How do we raise Bob's awareness so he can focus? How do we increase interest in other areas of Bob's life where responsibility is required? How do we create motivation necessary to help Bob repetitively follow through on his daily living tasks?

39 Bob : The replacement behavior goal The replacement behavior objective

40 Bob : What lies underneath? The replacement behavior procedure

41 Strategic uses of Bob's unique sensory profile

42 Internalizing the replacement behavior: Answering the question "Who?"

43 Resources used: "Autism, ADHD share genetic similarities" /08/11/autism-adhd-share-genetic-similarities/ "ADHD, autism may sometimes share gene mutations" health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/ 2011/08/10/adhd-autism-may-sometimes-share-gene-mutations "ADHD and autism: Is it in the genes?" "Researchers probed genetic overlap between ADHD and autism" sfari.org/news-and-opinion/news/2010/researchers-probe-genetic-overlapbetween-adhd-autism "Evaluating Dopamine Reward Pathway in ADHD: Clinical Implications" Nora Valkow, MD,

44 Resources used (continued): "Autism and ADHD in children: is there a genetic overlap?" "Autism and ADHD shared genetic similarities" "ADD Coach Academy: Transforming the ADD perspective", Coaching school manual, "So, Who Programmed U?" Manual, Jeff Copper, MBA, Dig Coaching Practice, "Coaching the World's Brains to Empower Human Global Gains", David Giwerc, MCC, "Fidget to Focus Outwit your Boredom: Sensory Strategies For Living with ADD" Rotz, Ph.d & Wright, M.S., ACT,

Researchers probe genetic overlap between ADHD, autism

NEWS Researchers probe genetic overlap between ADHD, autism BY ANDREA ANDERSON 22 APRIL 2010 1 / 7 Puzzling link: More than half of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder meet the diagnostic