Autism and ADHD are sometimes confused with one another. Children diagnosed with ADHD consistently have issues with ‘fidgeting’ concentrating and maintaining eye contact with others. These symptoms are also seen in some people on the spectrum. Despite some similarities, ADHD isn’t considered a spectrum disorder. One major difference between the two is that people with ADHD don’t tend to lack socio-communicative skills.
ADHD Symptoms
- Being easily distracted
- Frequently jumping from one task to another or quickly growing bored with tasks
- Difficulty in focusing or concentrating and narrowing attention to one task.
- Taking nonstop or blurting things out
- Hyperactivity
- Trouble sitting still.
- Interrupting conversations or activities
- Lack of concern or inability to react to other people’s emotions or feelings.
Autism Symptoms
- Unresponsive to common stimuli
- Intense focus and concentration on a singular item
- Lack of concern or inability to react to other people’s emotions or feelings.
- Repetitive movements, such as rocking or twisting.
- Avoiding eye contact
- Withdrawn behaviors
- Impaired social interaction
- Delayed developmental milestones.
There may be a reason why symptoms of ADHD and ASD can be difficult to distinguish from one another. Both can occur at the same time.
According to the Centers for disease control and Prevention (CDC), 14 percent of children with both conditions had more debilitating symptoms than children who didn’t exhibit ASD traits. In other words, children with ADHD and ASD symptoms were more likely to have learning difficulties and impaired social skills than children who only had one of the conditions.
