Let’s say you have reason to believe that your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or ADHD. But could it be more?
The National Institute of Health found between 50% and 70% of all individuals with autism also meet the clinical diagnosis criteria for ADHD. Some significant overlapping symptoms can still be present even if they don’t meet the criteria.
Since approximately 15% of the world’s population is now believed to be neurodiverse, this topic has become more prevalent than ever.
What’s the Difference Between ASD and ADHD?
The primary difference between autism and ADHD is that those with autism tend to prefer similarity and routine, while those with ADHD seek out novel experiences. Let’s look at the common symptoms to dig deeper.
Signs that a person might be autistic include:
- Difficulty expressing feelings
- Limited eye contact
- Repetitive behaviors
- Very specific interests
- Strong emotional reactions
- Gastrointestinal issues
- May have delayed language skills
ADHD symptoms, on the other hand, are more likely to appear as:
- Being easily distracted
- Acting without thinking
- Talking too much
- Having difficulty managing time
- Losing things often
- Being irritable
- Taking risks
- May have learning difficulties
How Can They Coexist in One Person?
People who have autism and ADHD, often referred to as AuDHD, often struggle with the seeming incompatibility of these neurotypes. One part wants to stick to routines and safety, while another part cries out for something different.
This often gives them the strengths and weaknesses of both conditions, although they may naturally take measures to rein them in. Living with AuDHD can be presented in the following ways:
- Choosing change on an impulse, then dealing with the anxiety that change brings.
- Having a poor short-term memory but a much better than average long-term memory.
- Burning out easily and taking longer than usual to recharge.
- Living in a chaotic, messy environment that makes it hard to function.
- Seeking out new experiences, but only with familiar people and a familiar process.
- Trying out new ways to accomplish something while simultaneously feeling anxiety about it.
- Feeling anxiety related to running late.
- Changing special interests frequently.
Of course, not everyone who experiences one or two of these symptoms has AuDHD. That’s because both autism and ADHD come on a spectrum.
For example, an autistic woman might have an excellent long-term memory but struggle with her short-term memory. But that doesn’t automatically mean she’s AuDHD. Likewise, someone with ADHD may deal with lots of anxiety over running late, but this alone doesn’t mean they’ve got ASD, too.
Getting an Assessment Is the Right Place to Start
Whether your child has autism, ADHD, or AuDHD, getting them assessed by a qualified medical professional is the right place to start. Be sure to make a list of every possible symptom, and don’t be afraid to point out the intersection between ASD and ADHD.
Also, be aware that there are medical treatments that can significantly reduce the signs of ADHD.
WPS provides an excellent resource for children with autism and their parents, such as the (CAPs) Clinical Assessment of Pragmatics or the (CARS™2) Childhood Autism Rating Scale™, Second Edition.
