Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to compare risk and predictors of poor safety awareness and accidental injuries in ASD, ADHD, and neurotypical samples. Neurodivergent groups (ADHD-I n = 309; ADHD-C n = 747; ASD-only n = 328; ASD + ADHD n = 1,108) were 2–17 years old. The neurotypical group (n = 186) was 6–12 years of age. Maternal ratings on the Pediatric Behavior Scale examined safety awareness, accidental injury, and psychological problems. Children with ASD + ADHD had significantly poorer safety awareness and accidental injury ratings than all other groups. Predictors of poor safety awareness in the total ASD and/or ADHD sample were: impulsivity, younger age, lower IQ, and hyperactivity. Predictors of accidental injuries were: incoordination, hyperactivity, and conduct problems. Clinicians working with children who have ASD and ADHD are encouraged to screen for poor safety awareness, discuss child safety measures, and provide evidence-based intervention to improve safety awareness and mitigate the risk of injury.
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This research was funded by National Institutes of Health grants R01 HL063772, M01 RR10732, and C06 RR016499. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
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Pardej, S.K., Mayes, S.D. Prevalence and Correlates of Poor Safety Awareness and Accidental Injury in ASD, ADHD, ASD + ADHD, and Neurotypical Youth Samples. J Autism Dev Disord (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06417-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06417-z