Neurocognitive deficits in Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

The following section first addresses the clinical classification of pervasive developmental disorders, followed by an overview of current diagnostic procedures, the different etiological concepts, and theoretical explanatory approaches. In a second step, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the associated etiological assumptions are outlined, together with an attention model. This is followed by an introduction to the current state of research regarding comorbidity and the similarities described between the two disorders. From this, the research questions for the present investigations are derived.