[Social skills in adults with late-onset diagnosis of ASD and ADHD].

Abstract

Introduction: Social skills (SS) in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are typically affected.

Objectives: To compare whether there are significant differences in the SS of adults diagnosed with ASD and ADHD.

Patients and methods: 77 adults (18 to 59 years-old), assessed at a private health center in the Valencian Community in 2024. The group diagnosed with ADHD included 38 participants, 22 were women (mean age 32 ± 12.3 years). The ASD group included 39 adults, 25 were women (mean age 33 ±10.6 years). All participants had a Total IQ >80 and had received prior psychological treatment for less than two years. SS were measured with a Social Skills Scale (EHS) developed. Using a nonparametric design (Mann-Whitney), we compared the medians of the two independent groups across the six SS dimensions and the SS global score. Differences by gender were also investigated.

Results: Significant differences were observed in all SS scores between the groups, except for EHS III and VI. The p-values were 0.00* for the EHS I; 0.04* for the EHS IV and EHSV; and 0.01* for the global score. No significant differences were found according to gender.

Discussion: The EHS scale may support the differential diagnosis between ASD and ADHD in adults. The average-to-superior intelligence profile of these adults is remarkable, including profiles of High Intellectual Abilities concomitant with ASD/ADHD. Future studies could expand the sample and check the relation of SS scores and anxious and depressive symptomatology or autistic traits and camouflaging scores.