Exploring Language Profiles for Children with ADHD and Children with Asperger Syndrome

Objective: The aims of the present study was to investigate communication impairments in a Norwegian sample of children with ADHD and children with Asperger syndrome (AS) and to explore whether children with ADHD can be differentiated from children with AS in terms of their language profiles on the Norwegian adaptation of the Children's Communication Checklist Second Edition (CCC-2).

Method: The CCC-2 was completed by the parents, and altogether, 77 children aged between 6 and 15 years participated in the study.

Results: Communication impairments were as common in a group of children with ADHD as in a group of children with AS. Although a similar pattern appeared on most CCC-2 scales, children with ADHD and children with AS could be distinguished from each other in terms of their language profiles on the subscales assessing stereotyped language and nonverbal communication.

Conclusion: Language abilities should be taken into account when standard assessments of ADHD and AS are performed and before therapies are initiated.