No trials reported serious adverse events .
Subgroup analysis by dose did not identify any significant differences in effect on our primary outcomes between low- , medium- or high-dose ranges .
We found that short-term use of methylpheni date might improve symptoms of hyperactivity and possibly inattention in children with ASD who are tolerant of the medication , although the low quality of evidence means that we can not be certain of the true magnitude of any effect .
There was no evidence that methylpheni date has a negative impact on the core symptoms of ASD , or that it improves social interaction , stereotypical behaviours , or overall ASD .
BACKGROUND Children with autistic spectrum disorder ( ASD ) frequently present with inattention , impulsivity and hyperactivity , which are the cardinal symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) .
The effectiveness of methylpheni date , a commonly used ADHD treatment , is therefore of interest in these children .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of methylpheni date for symptoms of ADHD ( inattention , impulsivity and hyperactivity ) and ASD ( impairments in social interaction and communication , and repetitive , restricted or stereotypical behaviours ) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years with ASD .
Effects of methylphenidate on quality of life in children with both developmental coordination disorder and ADHD.
Measurement of health-related quality of life ( HRQOL ) in attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) gives a more complete picture of day-to-day functioning and treatment effects than behavioural rating alone . The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the impact of the combined diagnoses of developmental coordination disorder ( DCD ) and ADHD on HRQOL , and the effectiveness of methylpheni date ( MPH ) on HRQOL . HRQOL was established using the Dutch-Child-AZL-TNO- Quality -of-Life ( DUX-25 ) and the TNO-AZL-Child- Quality -of-Life ( TACQOL ) question naires , completed by children and parents . HRQOL of these children was compared with that of 23 age- and sex-matched healthy controls . Twenty-three children ( 21 males , two females ; mean age 8 y 6 mo , [ SD 3 mo ] range 7 y-10 y 8 mo ) with ADHD/DCD entered a 4-week , open-label MPH study , after MPH-sensitivity was established , in a double-blind , placebo-controlled trial . In these children 's self- and proxy reports , impact of both DCD and ADHD was reflected in lower general well-being ( self and proxy report p=0.001 ) due to lower functioning in motor ( selfp=0.026 ; proxy 0.001 ) , autonomic ( self p<0.001 ; proxy p=0.047 ) , cognitive ( self p=0.001 ; proxy p=0.01 ) , and social ( self and proxy p<0.001 ) domains . HRQOL scores improved in 18 children receiving MPH ( p=0.001 ) versus controls . The ADHD /DCD group also demonstrated a significant improvement in ADHD symptoms ( p<0.001 ) and motor functioning ( p<0.001 ) . Additional motor therapy will still be needed in about half of the children with ADHD/DCD receiving MPH , within multimodal treatment including educational and psychosocial assistance
No trials reported serious adverse events .
Subgroup analysis by dose did not identify any significant differences in effect on our primary outcomes between low- , medium- or high-dose ranges .
We found that short-term use of methylpheni date might improve symptoms of hyperactivity and possibly inattention in children with ASD who are tolerant of the medication , although the low quality of evidence means that we can not be certain of the true magnitude of any effect .
There was no evidence that methylpheni date has a negative impact on the core symptoms of ASD , or that it improves social interaction , stereotypical behaviours , or overall ASD .
BACKGROUND Children with autistic spectrum disorder ( ASD ) frequently present with inattention , impulsivity and hyperactivity , which are the cardinal symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) .
The effectiveness of methylpheni date , a commonly used ADHD treatment , is therefore of interest in these children .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of methylpheni date for symptoms of ADHD ( inattention , impulsivity and hyperactivity ) and ASD ( impairments in social interaction and communication , and repetitive , restricted or stereotypical behaviours ) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years with ASD .