A Little Intro to ADHD and Autism

 
 

We are learning more and more about neurodiversity all the time, particularly because research is (finally!!) being done with more diverse groups of people. Additionally, people who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are sharing their experiences online (e.g., on TikTok, on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum). With that said, we still have a lot to learn–and do!–to ensure people receive the right diagnosis(es) and supports 😊.

Both ADHD and ASD are categorized as neurodevelopmental disorders, meaning symptoms typically begin or can be traced back to childhood (or the developmental period). Although there are numerous differences between these 2 diagnoses, there are some similarities which can make getting the right diagnosis challenging.

Why do we care about getting the diagnosis right? From my perspective as a clinical child psychologist, the correct diagnosis is important because diagnosis informs treatment! And this is especially true because ADHD and ASD have some overlapping but some VERY different treatment approaches.

There are some amazing resources that inspired my little venn diagram with more information (particularly from Dr. Megan Anna Neff’s Misdiagnosis Monday blog!), but here is a quick overview of where ADHD and ASD overlap (in bold text), and don’t!

Behaviorally, some of the overlapping symptoms can look pretty similar. So, part of the evaluation process is determining what might be going on under the surface. For example, let’s look at sensory differences:

Importantly, there is nothing inherently wrong or bad about these differences! In many cases, the ability to have heightened sensitivity to, and awareness of, sensory input can be a superpower. People with ADHD and/or ASD may notice something cool that others are likely to miss. Or, they may be able to perceive things in a unique and creative way.

Because the world–especially the school setting–is not necessarily built with neurodiversity in mind, it can be important to provide accommodations and support to people with either or both of these diagnoses, and many others, to ensure that everyone can thrive in their environment. In particular, executive functioning supports (e.g., visual schedules) are often beneficial for people with ADHD and/or ASD.

This is, of course, just scratching the surface of SUCH an important topic! If you have more questions, please reach out to Jess and/or check out the citations and resources listed below 🤓.

Resources

ADHD or Autism?

ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder - CHADD

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

Hours, C., Recasens, C., & Baleyte, J. M. (2022). ASD and ADHD Comorbidity: What Are We Talking About? Frontiers in psychiatry, 13, 837424. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.837424

Looking for help with your child’s ADHD or Autism? Get connected with Dr. Mandell below!

Jessica Mandell, PhD