Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Children With Autism and ADHD

Exclusion Criteria

• •All children who meet the following criteria:
• •Primary language spoken at home is other than English
• •Any skin disease that affects the scalp
• •Past or present vascular disease, such as lupus, ankylosing spondylitis or scleroderma.
• •Known adverse reaction to latex
• •Presence or history of medical conditions known to affect cerebral anatomy, such as known cysts, arterivenous malformations or cortical tubers.
• •Head trauma with loss of consciousness lasting longer than 5 seconds in the last year or any evidence of functional impairment due to and persisting after head trauma
• •Motor movement disorder which may cause sudden excessive movement, such as Tourette s disorder
• •Birth before 32 weeks of gestation. Premature birth can have a profound effect on brain function and structure
• •A known neurological or neurogenetic condition affecting the central nervous system, such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, neurofibromatosis, velo-cardiofacial syndrome.
• •Color blindness
• •Typically Developing Group:
• •Cognitive impairment, defined as Nonverbal IQ below 80, or signs of ASD or ADHD
• •Confirmed diagnosis of any DSM-IV-TR Axis I disorder
• •Taking medications for neuropsychiatric disorders such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics or any medication used to treat ADHD (psychostimulants, atomoxetine (Strattera ), bupropion (Wellbutrin ), tricyclic antidepressants (like impramine), clonidine, guanfacine, or modafinil (Provigil ).
• •ASD Group:
• •Taking medications for neuropsychiatric disorders: such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, or anxiolytics. Some medications used to treatment for ADHD are also exclusionary for all children - including atomoxetine (Strattera ), bupropion (Wellbutrin ), tricyclic antidepressants (like impramine), clonidine, guanfacine, or modafinil (Provigil ). Children with ASD who take stimulants (like Ritalin, adderall, concerta and vyvanse) may be able to participate if they are willing and able to stop stimulant medications for 2 days on 1 occasion for the study
• •A known neurological or neurogenetic condition affecting the central nervous system, such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, neurofibromatosis, velo-cardiofacial syndrome.
• •ADHD Group:
• •Taking medications for neuropsychiatric disorders: such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, or anxiolytics. Some medications used to treatment for ADHD are also exclusionary for all children - including atomoxetine (Strattera ), bupropion (Wellbutrin ), tricyclic antidepressants (like impramine), clonidine, guanfacine, or modafinil (Provigil ). Children with ASD who take stimulants (like Ritalin, adderall, concerta and vyvanse) may be able to participate if they are willing and able to stop stimulant medications for 2 days on 1 occasion for the study
• •Other psychiatric diagnoses (including ASD, anxiety and depression), except for comorbid oppostional defiant disorder