One thing that is being read and seen a lot recently in social media is the co-occurrence of Autism and ADHD. Though both are classified as neurodiverse, they are separate diagnoses. But how do they affect your child and what can you do to support them?
Please note: these are general guidelines about diagnoses and not an exhaustive list. For more information about diagnosis, please see a medical professional.
We've reviewed what the autism diagnosis previously in our blog, but here is a snapshot of what we've mentioned in the past. Autism is a diagnosis that relies on 2 parts:
The individual has social communication barriers, such as not speaking, using scripted language, or not being able to understand social cues.
The presence of restrictive and repetitive behaviours, such as lining up toys, talking about an interest in detail or hand flapping.
Now, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has its own diagnosis. This condition has 3 different presentations:
Inattentive - where the child has difficulty paying attention among other symptoms
Hyperactivity or Impulsivity - where the child is impulsive in thoughts and actions among other symptoms
Combined type - where multiple symptoms from both 1 and 2 are present.
ADHD Combined type is the most common, and parents should also know that children cannot be diagnosed until 6 or older as the frontal lobe of the brain (where executive functioning lives) has yet to be developed in younger children.
Now let's look at where they overlap and where they differ!
The co-occurrence of these conditions is estimated to be anywhere from one-third (Rong, et al, 2021) to 50% for autistics that also "have signs of ADHD. In fact, ADHD is the most common coexisting condition in [autistic children]." (CHADD, n.d.) When comparing the two diagnoses, you may be able to easily see that children with both will have competing priorities. For example, your child's ADHD may give them a desire for newness, whereas their autism may also need strict routines and same-ness. Or your child may miss details in one situation, but be hyper-fixated on details in another.
Knowing that these two diagnoses are prevalent together can help you and your interventionists design a treatment that is suitable to both. This allows everyone in your child's life to be more flexible with how they approach your child and for accommodations to be made in preschool or school settings with your child's learning activities. Children with autism and ADHD learn best when their interests are utilised, so be sure to watch for fluctuations so that you can inform your team!
CHADD. (n.d.). ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://chadd.org/about-adhd/adhd-and-autism-spectrum-disorder/
Rong, Y, Yang, C, Jin, Y, and Wang, Y. (2021, May). Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1750946721000349?via%3Dihub
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