Esteemed researchers from the UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, have recently brought a new perspective to light by analyzing the correlation between neighborhood (or rather environmental factors) conditions and ADHD symptoms in both autistic and non-autistic children.
Environment & Support Affects ASD Children.
The study shows that autism-affected youth who were raised in underprivileged communities tend to exhibit more pronounced signs of ADHD compared to Autistic children brought up in areas with greater access to resources and support. Essentially the research results conclude that an Autistic child’s environment & support can affect the severity of ADHD they experience.
Dr. Catrina Calub, the lead researcher, confirms that these outcomes weren’t observed in typically developing children or those with other developmental disabilities. Instead, it was only apparent in those with autism.
The more deprived the area an autistic child grows up in, the greater the chance of experiencing heightened symptoms of ADHD. It’s a research with serious implications as it could potentially inform policy changes to ensure more equitable access to resources and support for individuals with autism.
The Research procedure
The team of researchers led by Irva Hertz-Picciotto utilized data from two long-term studies: the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) study, which has been ongoing for decades and is headed by Hertz-Picciotto at the MIND Institute, and the ReCHARGE follow-up project.
These studies aim to understand how genetics, environment, and other factors influence development in children from early childhood (2-5 years) through adolescence (8-20 years). To do this, the researchers looked at a group of 246 children with autism, 85 others who were not Autistic but had developmental delays, and 193 were considered neurotypical.
Then, they utilized the Child Opportunity Index, a tool that uses census data to examine 30 different characteristics of a neighborhood. These include factors such as socioeconomics, access to green spaces, the percentage of single-parent households, and the concentration of early childhood education centers. The index is divided into three main categories: education, health and environment, and social and economic resources.
Childhood health outcomes
The higher the scores on this index, the more improved the childhood health outcomes. Out of these three categories, higher scores in education and social and economic resources were most closely linked to fewer symptoms of ADHD and good childhood health. According to Dr. Calub, further research is necessary to see if these findings can be applied on a larger scale.
Here at Sacramento ABA Therapy, we are dedicated to educating the masses and supporting ongoing research efforts. Through our programs and services, including ABA therapy, we strive to improve the lives of individuals with autism and their families.
