By now, most parents have a general idea of what attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder are, but the differences – and the definitions – can be a little blurry.
Dr. John LaCount, a pediatrician with St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Florence office, provides a breakdown to help.
ADHD
First, you should know that what you used to know as ADD (attention-deficit disorder) is now generally referred to as ADHD. According to the Mayo Clinic, ADHD is now the preferred term because it describes both of the primary features of the condition: inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior.
“Families think there’s a difference, but it’s the same part of the brain that affects focus and attention,” LaCount said.
Symptoms include an inattention to details, carelessness, constant motion, difficulty paying attention, not listening when spoken to directly, an inability to follow through on directions, talking too much, and problems with interrupting and taking turns.
In some kids, signs of ADHD are apparent at ages 2 or 3.
Autism spectrum disorder
According to the Mayo Clinic, autism spectrum disorder is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It’s now defined as a single disorder that includes disorders that were previously considered separate, such as autism and Asperger’s syndrome.
The most common sign of autism spectrum disorder is problems with social interactions, LaCount said.
“That’s usually the biggest distinguishing factor,” he said.
Autism spectrum disorder isn’t as easy to diagnose as ADHD because it requires a number of evaluations and examinations for a doctor to determine if the behaviors a child is displaying are, in fact, symptomatic of autism spectrum disorder.
“What’s interesting is that kids with ADHD often have difficulties with awareness that kids with autism spectrum disorder also have,” LaCount said. “It becomes a little clearer as kids get older, typically around first or second grade, that there’s something else going on, as well.”
In general, symptoms include language difficulties or motor difficulties, problems with awkwardness and clumsiness, poor eye contact, repetitive language or behaviors, an inability to interact well with other kids, and an inability to deal with change.
In both ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, early diagnosis and treatment have a huge impact on outcome.
“That’s one of the things that makes a big difference, particularly in kids with autism spectrum disorder,” LaCount said. “If they can learn how to communicate effectively, even if they’re having social interaction problems, they’ll often do significantly better in the long run.”
