ADHD vs Autism in Children: How to know the difference?
Does your kid face problems sitting quietly, concentrating, or communicating and interacting with other children?
You might wonder whether it is autism or ADHD. Searching for ADHD vs autism can help you understand the differences, but they can sometimes be very similar. Some children may have both as well.
How then will you be able to tell the two apart? Be aware that your child's behaviour, communication and development should be thought of in the context of the whole, and not one symptom.
ADHD vs Autism – What's the Difference?
Although ADHD and autism are distinct things, they still cause some issues in how children grow and function.
Inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity are the key signs of ADHD. The difference is that with autism a child's way of communicating is also affected.
You may notice that your child:
Gets distracted easily
Has trouble staying in one place for extended periods of time
Interrupts or acts without thinking
Loses instructions or things
Initiates activities and has difficulty completing them
Autism or autism spectrum disorder, ASD is defined by differences in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted or repetitive behaviours, interests or activities.
An autistic child might:
Lack ability to converse back and forth
Have trouble interpreting social signals
Prefer predictable routines
Repeat some words, phrases, or movements
Become extremely focused on specific interests
Express strong reactions to some sounds, textures, or other sensory experiences
These differences can help you understand the ADHD vs autism comparison but cannot be used for diagnosis.
Why Can ADHD and Autism Look Similar?
Such situations may confuse the parents a lot.
If a child has ADHD, they may focus on their thoughts and miss what is spoken around them which leads to the child's inability to understand a conversation. Another explanation is that the child who may appear indifferent toward conversations if they are autistic, actually have trouble socializing and communicating through words or gestures.
Also, both kids can:
Have trouble making friends
Challenges with emotional control.
Experience some situations as being too much to handle.
Have difficulty following instructions
Have difficulties in school
Therefore, one behaviour cannot be considered in isolation. Understanding "why" the behaviour is occurring is important.
What Are the Signs That May Point to Autism?
Communication, social interaction, and behaviour may be affected in diverse ways. Your child might do one of the following:
Does not consistently respond to their name
May struggle to express interests or feelings
Has trouble finding a rhythm with another person
Repeats words, phrases or movements
Becomes upset when familiar routines change
Has unusually strong interests
Reacts strongly to certain sounds, textures or other sensations
The red flag signs of autism checklist can help you to identify behaviours to watch for. But, even if your child shows a couple of these characteristics, it doesn't imply your child has autism.
Can Speech Delay Be a Sign of Autism?
Not necessarily.
If a child has delayed spoken language development, they may simply need support with language development. Delay in speech does not necessarily mean autism and can be caused by a number of factors.
But be mindful of what's going on at the same time. For example, does your child also have difficulty:
Using gestures to communicate?
Sharing attention with you?
Pointing to show you something interesting?
Taking turns during interaction?
Understanding or responding to social communication?
If you identify speech delay in children and social communication shortages, you need to consult with your paediatrician or a speech-language therapist.
Can a Kid have both autism and ADHD?
Yes. Children may face the two conditions at the same time. Such situations can lead to confusion because it is possible that the symptoms may be similar. For example, one child cannot focus due to ADHD and another child cannot socially interact and/or communicate due to autism.
If they both occur, you might experience a mix of:
Inattention and impulsivity
Social communication difficulties
Repetitive behaviours or strong interests
Sensory sensitivities
Inability to deal with change and feelings
Hence, it is crucial to have a comprehensive developmental assessment rather than one symptom to choose one condition.
What are the Signs of ADHD and Autism?
A test of blood or pictures cannot tell you if your child has ADHD or autism.
A professional typically examines the child's:
Developmental history
Pupils' conduct at home and school.
Communication skills
Social interaction
Concentration and focus
Repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests
Doctors evaluate patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity for ADHD. Their specific focus for autism is on social communication and on restricted or repetitive behaviours.
Other developmental or learning difficulties may also be considered. This is particularly important when there are signs of developmental delay in children.
When to Go to a Physician?
Do not wait until your kid is having major issues before you get assistance. If you are worried, go to a paediatrician or a developmental profesional. You may worry about:
Speech or communication
Social interaction
The concentration or activity of a person.
Learning
Behaviour
Sensory responses
Everyday activities
Early evaluation can provide the answer as to what your child needs and link it to the right support.
See the Big Picture
It's important to keep in mind that children are not always categorized as either ADHD or autism, when comparing the two disorders. Some children do the same thing for other reasons and some children have both reasons.
Don't focus on the specific symptoms of your child. Think instead of the overall development and discuss the concerns with a well-trained professional if the problems don't go away for a while. After doing a comprehensive evaluation you will get a clearer view of your child's abilities, difficulties and needs.
