Autism and ADHD are different types of growing-up issues. Autism can affect talking, how you act, and making friends. ADHD makes it hard to focus, sit still, and think before doing things.
What is autism?
Autism is a condition that can make it hard for someone to talk and connect with others. It doesn’t have a cure, but with help, people can get better at the things they struggle with.
About 1 in 59 kids in the US have autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Usually, autism shows up before a child turns 3 years old, and it’s more common in boys than girls – about five times more likely.
Learn About…..Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What is ADHD?
ADHD is something a lot of people have. It’s a kind of problem in how the brain grows and works. It’s more common in boys than girls.
Kids and grown-ups with ADHD find it hard to pay attention, they might move a lot without meaning to, and sometimes they do things without thinking.
Sometimes, as kids get older, the ADHD stuff gets a bit easier to handle. But even grown-ups might still have a bit of trouble. Talking to someone who can help, like a counselor, can make things better. They can teach ways to manage ADHD and help make things smoother at school or work.
Causes of ADHD
Why People Get ADHD Scientists are trying to understand why some people have ADHD. They want to help find better ways to handle it and lower the chances of having it. They’re not exactly sure why, but they think a lot about our genes, which are like our body’s instructions, play a big part.
Scientists also look at other things that might be connected to ADHD, like:
- When the brain gets hurt
- Things in the environment that could be risky, like lead
- If a mom had alcohol or smoked during pregnancy
- Being born too early or too small
Some people think that eating too much sugar or watching too much TV can cause ADHD, but that’s not what the research says. Also, things like how parents raise kids or how much money a family has don’t seem to be the main reasons why someone gets ADHD. Maybe they can make things harder for some people, but they’re not the big causes.
Sign and Symptoms
How Can You Tell If Someone Might Have ADHD? Sometimes, kids have trouble paying attention or acting the right way. That’s okay and it happens to everyone once in a while. But for kids with ADHD, these things don’t go away on their own. They can be really strong and make it hard to do well in school, at home, or with friends.
A kid with ADHD might:
- Daydream a lot, like they’re in their own world
- Forget things or lose stuff often
- Move around a lot, even when they’re supposed to stay still
- Talk a whole bunch
- Not be careful and make mistakes
- Do things without thinking, even if it’s risky
- Find it tough to wait their turn
- Have a tough time getting along with others
Different Types of ADHD
Doctors say there are three kinds of ADHD: one where it’s hard to focus, one where people are really active, and one that’s a mix of both. The doctor decides which one someone has by looking at how they act.
ADHD can show up in different ways, depending on what kinds of problems are strongest in a person:
- Mostly Inattentive Type: This means it’s tough for the person to organize things, finish tasks, pay attention to small details, or listen carefully. They might forget things easily or get sidetracked from their daily routines.
- Mostly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: The person can’t sit still and might talk a lot. They might have trouble staying in one place (like sitting for a meal or doing homework). Sometimes, younger kids might run, jump, or climb around a lot. They feel really restless and have a hard time stopping themselves from doing things without thinking. This can mean interrupting others, grabbing stuff from people, or talking at the wrong times. It’s also tough for them to wait their turn or follow directions. They might get hurt more often.
- Combined Type: This means the person has a mix of the problems from the first two types. And because how someone feels can change, their type of ADHD might change over time too.
Diagnosis
To see if a kid has ADHD, there are a few things that need to be done. There’s no one test that can say for sure if someone has it. Sometimes, other issues like feeling anxious or sad, having trouble sleeping, or learning problems can look a lot like ADHD.
One thing that happens is a checkup by a doctor, and they might do tests for hearing and vision too, just to make sure it’s not something else causing the issues. To decide if it’s really ADHD, there’s a list of questions about how the kid acts and feels. Parents, teachers, and sometimes even the kid might answer these questions. Also, the doctor will ask about the kid’s history, like what they’ve been like over time.
How Are ADHD and Autism Different?
ADHD and autism are both ways that the brain develops differently. But they show up in different ways.
ADHD makes it hard for people to sit still, think before they do things, and pay attention. They might do things without thinking or have a tough time waiting their turn.
Autism is about trouble with social stuff, like talking to people and understanding their feelings. People with autism might do the same thing over and over again, or they might not like certain sounds or touches.
Even though they can look similar sometimes, the reasons behind them are not the same. For example, someone with ADHD might act quickly because they can’t stop themselves, while someone with autism might have a hard time talking to others because of how their brain processes things.
People with ADHD might get really upset easily and do things without thinking. They might have trouble focusing on stuff they don’t like, move around a lot, or take risks.
People with autism might avoid eye contact and have a tough time talking. They might make repeated movements to feel better, get upset because of things they see or hear, and really like certain things a lot.
So, even though there are some similar things, ADHD and autism are different in how they show up and why they happen.
Can Someone Have Both ADHD and Autism?
Yes, it’s possible for someone to have both ADHD and autism. Doctors used to think that you could only have one or the other, but now they know that some people can have both at the same time.
Sometimes, the signs of ADHD and autism can look similar. Around 30 to 80 out of every 100 kids with autism also have ADHD, and about 20 to 50 out of every 100 kids with ADHD also have autism.
It’s important to find a doctor who can figure out if someone has both conditions. That way, they can get the right kind of help and treatments. This is especially important when someone is still young.
Instead of just hoping that school or growing up will make things better, it’s better to get help early. This can help kids with both ADHD and autism to do better and feel better. ADHD and autism are not exactly the same, but they can happen together in some people.
How Are Autism and ADHD Different?
You can tell the difference between autism and ADHD by noticing how your child acts. Here’s how they’re different:
Differences:
- Kids with autism really like sticking to the same routines and ways of doing things. They want things to stay the same.
- Kids with ADHD find routines boring and might not like doing the same thing over and over.
Sensory Stuff:
- Kids with autism can have strong reactions to things like sounds, smells, and touch.
- Kids with ADHD might also react a lot to sensory things, but in a different way.
Safety and Play:
- Kids with autism might struggle to understand safety and danger.
- Kids with ADHD might take physical risks and play more roughly.
So, while ADHD and autism might look similar, they’re different in important ways. It’s good to know these differences to help kids get the right support they need.
Attention:
- Kids with autism find it hard to pay attention to things they don’t like, like reading a book or doing a puzzle. They might really like one thing and keep doing it.
- Kids with ADHD don’t like things that need focus, so they try to avoid them.
Communication:
- Kids with autism might have trouble talking to others and understanding what people mean. They might not use words well and find it tough to look into people’s eyes.
- Kids with ADHD might talk a lot and not let others talk. They might not wait their turn and keep talking.
Interests:
- Kids with autism like order and doing things the same way. They might love one thing a lot, like a certain food or toy. They can get upset if things change.
- Kids with ADHD don’t like doing the same thing again and again. They get bored easily.
Similarities:
- Both ADHD and autism might have similar signs, which can make people mix them up.
- Some kids with autism might also have ADHD. But not all kids with ADHD have autism.
So, kids with autism and ADHD act in different ways. It’s important to notice these things to understand which one your child might have.
How Autism and ADHD are related sometimes, doctors used to mix up autism and ADHD because they can look a bit alike. But they’re not exactly the same. It’s possible for a kid to have both of them at once.
More often, kids with autism might also have ADHD, but kids with ADHD might not have autism.
This can make things a bit confusing when trying to figure out what’s going on with a kid. But doctors can start helping them early, even if they’re not sure if it’s autism or ADHD.
Kids with both conditions might have other problems too, like feeling sad or worried. But these issues can be fixed with help from doctors and therapists.
Conclusion
Wrapping Up If you notice your child showing these signs, it’s a good idea to get them checked by a doctor. Getting a proper diagnosis is important, especially if they might have autism. Early help can make a big difference.
Treating these conditions might involve therapy and sometimes medicines. But the treatments can be different for autism and ADHD. So, if you think your child might have these symptoms, don’t wait. Getting them checked is a good step.
