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A. It’s not true that ADHD can’t be diagnosed until third grade. Preschoolers can get an ADHD diagnosis. It’s a matter of degree. I’m not sure what symptoms you’re seeing in your child, or how severe they are. But I’ve evaluated kids for ADHD as early as age 3. Usually, when I see preschoolers, it’s because they’re having ...
- Overview
- ADHD versus autism
- Symptoms of ADHD and autism
- When they occur together
- Understanding the combination
- Getting the proper support
- Outlook
ADHD and autism are different conditions that have many similar symptoms. In 2013, mental health professionals noted that an individual may have both ADHD and autism.
When a school-aged child can’t focus on tasks or in school, parents may think their child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Difficulty concentrating on homework? Fidgeting and difficulty sitting still? An inability to make or maintain eye contact?
All of these are symptoms of ADHD.
These symptoms do match what most people understand about the common neurodevelopmental disorder. Even many doctors might gravitate toward that diagnosis. Yet, ADHD might not be the only answer.
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder often found in children. Approximately 9.4% of U.S. children between the ages of 2 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.
There are three types of ADHD:
•predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
•predominantly inattentive
•combination
The combined type of ADHD, where you experience both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, is the most common.
In the earliest stages, it’s not unusual for ADHD and ASD to be mistaken for the other. Children with either condition may experience trouble communicating and focusing. Although they have some similarities, they’re still two distinct conditions.
Here’s a comparison of the two conditions and their symptoms:
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. For example, some people with ADHD may experience symptoms, such as intense focus and concentration on one item, that fall outside the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
Not every child can be clearly diagnosed. A doctor may decide only one of the disorders is responsible for your child’s symptoms. In other cases, children may have both conditions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 14% of children with ADHD also have ASD. In one study from 2013, 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.
For many years, doctors were hesitant to diagnose a child with both ADHD and ASD. For that reason, very few medical studies have looked at the impact of the combination of conditions on children and adults.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) stated for years that the two conditions couldn’t be diagnosed in the same person. In 2013, the APA changed its stance. With the release of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the APA states that the two conditions can co-occur.
In a 2014 review of studies looking at the co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD, researchers found that between 30 to 50% of people with ASD also have symptoms of ADHD. Researchers don’t fully understand the cause for either condition or why they occur together so frequently.
Both conditions may be linked to genetics. One study identified a rare gene that may be linked to both conditions. This finding could explain why these conditions often occur in the same person.
The first step in helping your child get the proper support is getting a correct diagnosis. You may need to seek out a child behavior disorder specialist.
A lot of pediatricians and general practitioners don’t have the specialized training to understand the combination of symptoms. Pediatricians and general practitioners may also miss another underlying condition that complicates support plans.
Managing the symptoms of ADHD can help your child manage the symptoms of ASD, too. The behavioral techniques your child will learn may help lessen the symptoms of ASD. That’s why getting the proper diagnosis and adequate support is so vital.
Behavioral therapy can be helpful for ADHD, and is recommended as the first line of support for children under the age of 6. For children over the age of 6, behavioral therapy is recommended with medication.
Some medications commonly used to treat ADHD include:
•methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Methylin, Focalin, Daytrana)
ADHD and ASD are lifelong conditions that can be managed with support that isright for the individual. Be patient and open to trying various options. You may also need to move to new support methods as your child gets older and symptoms evolve.
Scientists are continuing to research the connection between these two conditions. Research may reveal more information about the causes and more support options may become available.
People also ask
Does a child with ASD get a diagnosis of ADHD?
When should a child be diagnosed with ADHD?
What percentage of children with ADHD are diagnosed with ASD?
May 13, 2022 · Another reason for the confusion is that treatments for ADHD sometimes change the way autism presents in an individual. Frequently, a child diagnosed with ASD does not receive an additional diagnosis of ADHD. But, children on the autism spectrum can benefit from interventions that help children with ADHD, even if they don’t have it.
- Harvard Medical School
Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, includes what used to be called Autistic Disorder, Asperger syndrome, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified, all of which affect a person’s social and emotional skills and nonverbal communication. ASD has many similarities to ADHD, but there are also differences between the two. Can a person be diagnosed…
Feb 8, 2020 · Both disorders make kids appear less engaged. Inattentive behavior in ADHD may cause affected children to miss social cues, for example, which can resemble mild ASD. Kids with ADHD have a higher ...
Jun 25, 2019 · Treatment. Standard treatments for ADHD in children include medications, behavior therapy, counseling and education services. These treatments can relieve many of the symptoms of ADHD, but they don't cure it. It may take some time to determine what works best for your child.
Understanding the overlap between ADHD and ASD. Let’s look further at the co-diagnosis of ADHD and ASD. On the basis of simple symptom categorization, there is a fair amount of overlap between these two behavioral conditions. Here are some statistics: There is a 5-10% incidence of ADHD overall in children, and a 2-5% incidence of ASD.
