ADHD And Autism

ADHD means Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and it can look a lot like Autism. When someone has on or the other, they can have difficultly focusing, they can also impulsive and have a hard time communicating.

Both ADHD and Autism are two different conditions. Autism is related to developmental disorders. Language skills, behavior, socializing and the ability to learn are affect. People with autism have a hard time connecting with people and making friends, where as ADHD can impact how you concentrate, stay still or thinking before you act.

Getting the right diagnosis at the right time will help you get the right treatment. It will help you with development and learning.

Kids with autism will fixate on things they like, a toy, a book or a TV show. They tend to struggle to focus on things they don’t like. Kids with ADHD will dislike/avoid things they have to concentrate on.

Autism will bring less social awareness and putting thoughts and feelings are hard to do. Eye contact is hard. ADHD is the opposite, there is a lot of talking. Interrupting and butting in when someone else is talking is common.

Being diagnosed with ADHD, there are patterns that a doctor will look out for, being distracted or forgetful, not following through, having trouble waiting for a turn, fidgeting or squirming. They will go do parents, teachers and other adults to get more information. A doctor will try and find other causes before settling on ADHD.

An autism diagnosis will have the parents answering a questionnaire regarding the child. It involves things like behaviours that may have started when the child was young. Tests and tools may be including, as well as more questions, surveys and checklists.

You may not be able to tell the two conditions about, but it’s important to get treatment and get the right help. No two ADHD cases are the same. It’s not a one size fits all. Behavior therapy will began with younger and if someone is older, medication and sometimes behavior therapy.

There are different therapies for autism depending on what the child’s needs are. There is behavior, speech, sensory integration, and occupational.

Someone can have both ADHD and autism. It’s common to be on the autism spectrum and have signs of ADHD, the same goes the other way. Somone with ADHD may have a history of autism. Children that have both conditions are more than likely to have a combined type of ADHD, which includes hyperactive and impulsive symptoms plus trouble paying attention.

ADHD and Autism are neurodevelopmental disorders (brain development has been affected in some way). That means both conditions/disorders affect the central nervous system, which is responsible for movement, language, memory, and social and focusing skills.  A number of scientific studies have shown that the two conditions often co-exist, but researchers have not yet figured out why they do. With ADHD or Autism, brain development has been affected in some way.  Most importantly, that includes the brain’s executive functioning, which is responsible for decision making, impulse control, time management, focus, and organization skills. For many children, social skills are also affected. Both ADHD and Autism are more common in boys.

There’s a lot to process when it comes to terms with a diagnose. It’s either a blessing or it’s a cause. Some people have a hard time accepting because they think it’s going to change the way people look at them or if it’s going to affect their daily living. They’re afraid if word gets out, they won’t be able to work or live on their own, but people can live successful lives, you just have to find what works. Be patient and be kind to yourself. Sometimes finding out about a diagnosis will bring you peace of mind. It will help you come to terms with what’s been going on instead of your head.