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Abstract

One of the most difficult and complex symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is hyperactivity. This has a substantial negative impact on daily functioning, learning, and responsiveness to therapy interventions, as well as on intervention programs that aim to manage behavior in schools and clinical settings, thereby restricting children's engagement in these programs as management behaviors become more emphasized. Given marked heterogeneity in clinical presentations and a lack of consensus on the most effective behavioral strategies, there remains an imperative to systematically evaluate targeted, specific strategies for reducing hyperactivity in this population. The present study was intended to assess the effect of a structured behavioral intervention strategy on hyperactivity among children diagnosed with ASD and comorbid ADHD. A retrospective comparative design has been conducted on a purposive sample of 31 children aged 6–10 years who have participated only in a program involving behavioral interventions. A validated forty-item questionnaire based on DSM-5 criteria and the Conners Rating Scale was administered as a baseline assessment, together with follow-up assessments at different time intervals. There was an apparent statistically significant decrease in hyperactivity from its baseline level. The improvement became more pronounced with the duration of intervention; most pronounced within 6-12 months, earlier intervals (1-3 and 3-6 months) registering much smaller changes. Inference: Structured behavioral interventions work to reduce hyperactivity among children diagnosed with ASD and ADHD when applied consistently over long periods.

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