The Co-Occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit Disorder Symptoms - Research Paper Example

? Critique a Research Article of the Article: The co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in parents of children with ASD or ASD with ADHD Name of the Authors: Daphne J. van Steijn, Jennifer S. Richards, Anoek M. Oerlemans, Saskia W. de Ruiter, Marcel A.G. van Aken, Barbara Franke, Jan. K. Buitelaar, and Nanda N.J. Rommelse Introduction The article, “The co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in parents of children with ASD or ASD with ADHD”, opposes the view presented through the classical models of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which affirms the disorders to be radically apart in their exhibition and thus seldom occur simultaneously. However, recent studies presented that almost 50%-72% of genetic elements are responsible for repeated co-occurrences of such disorders to the same patient or to the particular family tree. Thus, the research problem that has been addressed in this article is whether (cross)–assortative mating or (cross)–parent of origin effects of ASD and ADHD in parents have any relationship with the co-occurrence of either ASD or ASD with ADHD among their children. Initially, the article was aimed at discovering whether ASD and ADHD share similar structural and functional brain abnormalities which would also prove the co-occurrences of such disorders among parents and children belonging to one family tree. In order to obtain this particular aim, the authors used a series of literature studies an interview process. Subsequently, the obtained conclusion stated that the two disorders share insignificantly similar structural bases and functional brain abnormalities (Steijn, Richards, Oerlemans, Ruiter, Aken, Franke, Buitelaar & Rommelse, 2012). Evaluation of the Research Methods Used Does the author provide a literature review? One of the main reasons or motivations to use literature review in a research process is the intention to verify or justify the concerned issue with reference to prior studies and already evaluated and rationalized outcomes (Cronin, Ryan & Coughlan, 2008). However, the aim of the article was to identify and comprehend a new dimension of the concerned research phenomenon, i.e. the possibilities and the probable causes of co-occurrences of ASD and ASD with ADHD among parents and children in the same family tree. Hence, a greater emphasis is provided towards primary sources through interview rather than on literature reviews in this article. Nevertheless, the authors make use of the secondary research in the introductory part to signify the literature gap and the scope of the research. Is the Research Current and Relevant to Today Existing Health Issues? A large number of treatments are undertaken currently with children suffering from autism. Recent studies have depicted that almost 1 out of every 88 children is diagnosed with an ASD, among which boys have been examined as 5 times more vulnerable to girls. However, scientists have been unable to provide any valid explanation for the increase in the diagnosis (Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, 2012). Moreover, it is also identified that symptoms of ADHD also create significant problems for more than half of all the children with autism or ASD syndrome. Unfortunately, both the disorders, ASD and ADHD are under recognized and under treated by doctors in majority of medical cases. Hence, there is a greater demand and need for researching on such crucial topic in order to gain significant insights about these disorders (Autism Speaks Inc, 2011). Thus, it can be stated that research on such critical topic in the current context is worth to be undertaken for ensuring enhanced public health. Describe the research type utilized? – Experimental, non-experimental, quasi experimental, etc. The authors have applied experimental research type for conducting the research study in order to establish the assumed cause and effect relationship between the occurrences of ASD and ASD with ADHD among parents of those children who are suffering from the same disorder(s). Hence, it can be affirmed that as the article aimed at addressing a gap identified in prior studies and therefore affirming a new dimension, experimental design has been quite appropriate (Pearson Education Inc, 2003). Evaluate the Sample (Size, Composition, or in the Way the Sample was Selected in Relation to the Purpose of the Study?) Was the Sample Appropriate for the Research or was it Bias? As observed in the article, 121 families were included in the autism-ADHD genetics project. The participating families comprised parents with at least one child aged between 2-20 years suffering from one of the mentioned disorders, i.e. ASD and/or ADHD conducting a probability based quota sampling technique. Notably, all parents and children participants were screened multiple times to diagnose the presence of either ASD or ADHD or both without any error. From a critical understanding, it can be stated that the sample selection was fundamental to the research study and was diligently made. However, it can be argued that the sample size for such critical topic was relatively small. Based on a quota sampling, the research study might also have a scope for biasness during the sample selection process. For instance, parents involved in the research were provided with a greater opportunity of self-rating concerning the problem behavior which resulted in underestimated amount of symptoms. In other words, it was identified that parents were concerned with their positive behavior rather than providing fair information, increasing biasness in the research conducted (Fox, Hunn & Mathers, 2009). How Practical Does this Work Seem to You? How Does the Author Suggest Research Results Could Be Applied and how do you Believe they could be Applied? The primary aim of the research was to identify weather (cross)-assortative mating or (cross)-parent of origin influence of ASD and ADHD in parents have any impact on their children who are also witnessed to be facing similar disorders. In addressing this issue, authors have made rigorous analysis of the current data obtained through interview process. Hence, the research seems to be practical as the results derived from this article and the explanations given in the past researches do not deviate significantly (Steijn, Richards, Oerlemans, Ruiter, Aken, Franke, Buitelaar & Rommelse, 2012). The authors/researchers can also be argued to be justifiable when explaining the future applications of the obtained findings stating that further researches are required to gain better in-sight of the issue. Could the Study have been improved in your Opinion? If so provide how you think it could have improved. It can be admitted that the research study was quite successful and practical in addressing the identified issue. However, certain improvements in the research study would have made the process more impressive and the generalization of findings more transparent. Contextually, a larger sample size including both parents and children would have resulted in drawing reliable research inferences. Moreover, the parents involved in the research were observed to be not significantly fair in delivering necessary information. Another constraint to the study was the challenge to interpret the behavior of the children accurately as the questionnaires based on the children’s behavior were also filled by their parents. Thus, it can be stated that use of a more sophisticated process of observation and interview would have increased the reliability of the research study. Is the Writing in the Article Clear and Straightforward? The authors have been able to represent and address the research problem critically throughout the research process. However, in order to understand the research problem and follow the process critically, the reader will require a primary understanding of the research subject or the article may seem to be a complex postulation of a medical issue. Thus, it can be stated that even though the writing in the article is observed as adequately clear and straightforward for its learned readers, it could have been clearer for the casual readers as well who are interested in studying such phenomenon. Can Further Research Be Conducted on This Subject? Explain The research study suggests that no impact of (cross)-assortative mating could be observed in relation to the co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD. Moreover, no (cross)-parent of origin effects were identified to impact the co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD among parents and children. Thus, it was ascertained that parental ASD pathology was not predictive for offspring’s ADHD pathology. However, it was identified that mother suffering from ADHD was analytical for offspring’s ASD pathology. Responsively, the authors provide only a preliminary evidence to support this hypothesis. Thus, the research study provides ample scope for further researched to be conducted on this subject. Conclusion The research study critically deals with human factors and their behavioral traits. The prime objective of the research was to identify the potential relationship of (cross)-assortative and (cross)-parent-of-origin effects on ASD and ADHD on parents of the children with ASD and/or ASD with ADHD. However, the research study does not make wide use of previous literature studies and lacks to depict the relevant findings which were previously evaluated and examined related with the research topic. Although the research study conducted on the selected topic accords importance in the current context of health issues, the research study cannot fully eliminate the biasness associated with informants which have further limited the reliability of inferences. Moreover, certain improvements such as increased number of informants, usage of relevant literature studies and active participation of grown up children with ASD and would have provided a much stronger evidences in supporting the final outcomes of the study. References Autism Speaks Inc. (2011). ADHD symptoms in children with autism are common, problematic and likely undertreated. Retrieved from http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/adhd-symptoms-children-autism-are-common-problematic-and-likely-undertreated Cronin, P., Ryan, F. & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: a step-by-step approach. British Journal of Nursing 17 (1), pp. 38-43. Fox, N., Hunn, A. & Mathers, N. (2009). Sampling and sample size calculation. The NIHR RDS EM / YH, pp. 1-41. Pearson Education Inc. (2003). The experimental research approach. Retrieved from http://www.ablongman.com/partners_in_psych/PDFs/Christensen/Christensen_ch03.pdf Steijn, D. J. V., Richards, J. S., Oerlemans, A. M., Ruiter, S. W. D., Aken, M. A. G. V., Franke, B., Buitelaar, J. K. & Rommelse, N. N. J. (2012). The co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in parents of children with ASD or ASD with ADHD. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. (2012). information for parents of school-age children. A brief parent guide on autism spectrum disorders (ASD), pp. 2-11. Read More