Autistic and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Traits Are Associated with Suboptimal Performance among Japanese University Students

INTRODUCTION: Recent estimates suggest that there is a substantial number of Japanese students with developmental disabilities. This study aimed to examine potential associations between autistic, autistic subcomponents, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits with student performance (as measured by presenteeism) and class attendance among Japanese university students. METHODS: Participants comprised 721 students from different regions of Japan who completed a self-administered internet survey. Autistic and ADHD traits were measured using an abridged version of the autism spectrum quotient (AQ-Short) and adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS). Presenteeism, which is an indicator of student performance, was assessed using the modified World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire. Class attendance during the past year was self-reported by participants. RESULTS: Students with high levels of autistic traits and high levels of ADHD traits were significantly more likely to report poor student performance (odds ratio [OR] = 3.07, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.90–4.96; and OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.32–3.42, respectively). Regarding autistic trait subcomponents, students with high levels of preference for routine (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.38–4.13) and high levels of difficulties with social skills (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.03–3.18) were also significantly more likely to report poor student performance. There were borderline significant associations between traits of attention-switching difficulties and poor student performance (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.00–3.15). Regarding ADHD trait subcomponents, students with high levels of inattention (OR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.32–6.26) were also significantly more likely to report poor student performance. Students with both high levels of autistic traits and high levels of ADHD traits were more likely to report poor student performance than those with high levels of only one trait type. There were, however, no statistically significant associations between these traits and low class attendance risk. CONCLUSIONS: Sickness presenteeism was significantly associated with high levels of both autistic traits and ADHD traits among Japanese university students.