Clinical correlates of sluggish cognitive tempo in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Although sluggish cognitive tempo is related to, but distinct from, the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder that commonly co-occur with autism spectrum disorder, few studies have examined sluggish cognitive tempo in autism spectrum disorder.

We examined whether sluggish cognitive tempo and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were differentially associated with autism symptomatology, daily life executive functioning, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in 51 adolescents (ages 13–18 years) with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability. Regression analyses controlling for age and IQ showed that sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms, but not attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, were associated with increased autism symptomatology and internalizing symptoms.