Collab Topic - Occupational Therapy | Pinnacle Blooms Network

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism are both neurodevelopmental disorders, and they have several symptoms in common. For example, people with autism and ADHD may both be impulsive,1 and people with both disorders may develop speech later than is typical in children.
ADHD and autism, however, are distinct diagnoses. It's entirely possible to have both ADHD and autism. When that happens (which it does quite often),2 it's important to recognize and treat both disorders appropriately.

This article explores how autism and ADHD are similar to and different from one another in their symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Autism
Speech delays, unusual speech patterns, or lack of spoken language

Difficulty with social communication and social interaction

Repetitive behaviors such as rocking or pacing

Sensory challenges (under- or over-reactive to light, sound, taste, smell, touch)

ADHD
Inattention (difficulty focusing and concentrating)

Impulsivity (likely to blurt out remarks or take inappropriate actions without thinking about them)

Symptoms That ADHD and Autism Have in Common
The reality is that many people diagnosed with either ADHD or autism have overlapping or similar symptoms. In addition, people with both disorders can have difficulties that may not be listed as traditional symptoms but that can impact daily life.

Here are some of the symptoms and challenges that people with ADHD and autism often share:3

Impulsivity: Including speaking out of turn and jumping up when it's inappropriate
Lack of focus: In ADHD, typically being distracted by external events, and in autism, being distracted by your own thoughts and ideas
Problems with executive functioning: Difficulties in the ability to organize time, tasks, and projects
Challenges with social interaction and making friends
Learning differences and disabilities
Sensory challenges: Over- or under-responsiveness to light, sound, touch
Emotional immaturity: Difficulty in managing anger and frustration
Causes
Brain injury
Exposure to environmental risks (such as lead in paint) by a parent during pregnancy or in the person at a young age
Alcohol and tobacco use by a parent during pregnancy
Premature delivery
Low birth weight
Causes of Autism
All of the risk factors of ADHD except brain injury are also risk factors for autism. In addition, autism may be caused by specific genetic developmental disorders such as fragile X syndrome and by fetal exposure to specific drugs (valproic acid and thalidomide).6 Older parents are also more likely to have children with autism, but the reasons for this are not clear.
Diagnosis for both relies on observations, interviews, and assessments of development and behavior. Prior to making an autism or ADHD diagnosis, practitioners conduct tests and ask questions to rule out other possible contributions to attentional issues such as anxiety or a learning disability
Occupational therapy: Many people with autism have fine-motor difficulties and/or sensory challenges that make it hard to be around bright lights and loud noises.

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