Attentions Deficit/Hyper Activity Disorder, ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood.
Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD is characterized by having challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and non verbal communication.
ADHD Symptoms:
• Hyperactivity
• Trouble sitting still
• Talking nonstop or blurting things out
• Difficulty focusing or narrowing attention to one task
• Easily distracted
• Jumping from one task to another or quickly growing with bored with tasks
• Interrupting communication or activities
• Lack of concern or inability to react to other’s people emotions or feelings
Autism Symptoms:
• Unresponsive to common stimuli
• Intense focus and concentration on some things
• Avoiding eye contact
• Repetitive movement such as rocking or twisting
• Lack of concern or inability to reacts to other’s people emotions or feelings
• Inappropriate social interaction
• Abnormal body posturing or facial expressions
Although both ADHD and Autism share common symptoms, the two are distinct conditions. But a child may have both ADHD and autism diagnosis so it is very important to consult to your Doctor about the testing you will need to confirm diagnosis and have the right treatment
The doctor will look for the pattern of behaviors overtime such as being distracted or forgetful, not following through, having trouble for waiting for turn, and fidgeting or squirming to diagnose ADHD. Also, the doctor will ask for feedbacks from parents, teachers and other adults that took care the child. Other test includes questionnaires, surveys, and checklist and by observing and interviewing.
Available treatments include therapy and medications. Types of therapies include behavior therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and sensory integration to help the child to communicate and get along better.
Medicine cannot treat autism but helps to ease related symptoms such as difficulty focusing or being hyperactive.