Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferencesSimilaritiesComorbidityCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Differences
Similarities
Comorbidity
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
The difference between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism is generally seen in conversations and interactions with others. People with ADHD may interrupt and blurt out remarks, while people with autism tend to have difficulty making eye contact and showing empathy.
Despite their differences, these two neurodevelopmental disorders also have several symptoms in common. For example, people withautismandADHDmay both be impulsive and easily distracted.Children with both disorders may develop speech later than is typical for their age.
An adult or a child can have both ADHD and autism. When that happens, it’s important to recognize and treat both disorders appropriately.
Difference Between ADHD and Autism
In Children
Autism is usually detected earlier in life than ADHD. Autism can be recognized before a child reaches 3 years of age, while ADHD is diagnosed at an older age.
Children with ADHD may be easily distracted, have a difficult time paying attention in an academic setting, lose their belongings, and have problems focusing. These children tend to be boisterous and talkative.
In contrast, children with autism have a hard time interacting and communicating with others and may developrepetitive behaviorand poorly coordinated motor function. These children tend to avoid social contact.
AutismSpeech delays, unusual speech patterns, or lack of spoken languageDifficulty with social communication and social interactionRepetitive behaviors such as rocking or pacingSensory challenges (under- or over-reactive to light, sound, taste, smell, touch)ADHDInattention (difficulty focusing and concentrating)Impulsivity (likely to blurt out remarks or take inappropriate actions without thinking about them)Hyperactivity (having excess energy or moving and talking too much)
AutismSpeech delays, unusual speech patterns, or lack of spoken languageDifficulty with social communication and social interactionRepetitive behaviors such as rocking or pacingSensory challenges (under- or over-reactive to light, sound, taste, smell, touch)
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)
ADHDInattention (difficulty focusing and concentrating)Impulsivity (likely to blurt out remarks or take inappropriate actions without thinking about them)Hyperactivity (having excess energy or moving and talking too much)
Inattention (difficulty focusing and concentrating)
Impulsivity (likely to blurt out remarks or take inappropriate actions without thinking about them)
Hyperactivity (having excess energy or moving and talking too much)
In Adults
Autism affects adults as well. Adults with autism may feel awkward in social situations and prefer to be alone. They can have rather blunt responses in conversation and may take things literally. They like to stick to the same daily routine and can have difficulty making friends, making eye contact, and expressingempathy.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
What ADHD and Autism Have in Common
While the symptoms of ADHD and autism may not look the same on paper, they can look very similar in person.
Traits like distractibility and impulsivity, for example, are part of the ADHD diagnosis. While they’re not part of the autism diagnosis, they appear in most people with autism.
While ADHD and autism share some symptoms in common, the symptom overlap usually works in only one direction. It’s pretty common for people with autism to have ADHD symptoms, but it’s relatively rare for people with ADHD to havesymptoms of autism.
Here are some of the symptoms and challenges that people with ADHD and autism often share:
It’s important to note that these symptoms, while they look similar, may result from different causes. For example, social challenges in autism may result from a lack of imitative speech or body language skills. By contrast, social challenges in ADHD may result from impulsivity, taking control, or an inability to conform to group expectations.
Can You Have ADHD and Autism?
Both autism and ADHD are described as neurodevelopmental disorders in the fifth edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5).
The descriptions of the two disorders don’t overlap at any point, so it would be reasonable to conclude that they are entirely different from one another. In fact, until 2013, it was not possible to diagnose both autism and ADHD in the same person because the DSM criteria didn’t allow for simultaneous diagnosis.
In 2013, however, dual diagnoses became an accepted practice—and the number of people with dual diagnoses grew. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that about 14% of children with ADHD also have autism diagnoses (though some estimates are much higher).More than half of children with autism may have symptoms of ADHD.
Causes of ADHD vs. Autism
Researchers are still in the process of figuring out what causes autism and ADHD. There is no doubt that both ADHD and autism are heritable, meaning that they run in families. That means there is a genetic component to both disorders. There are also some environmental issues that can lead to autism, ADHD, or both.
Researchers are exploring how differences in brain structure and chemistry may cause autism, ADHD, and other developmental disorders.
Causes of ADHD
Besides genetics,risk factors for ADHDinclude:
Causes of Autism
The use of certain antiseizure drugs during pregnancy may contribute to the development of autism.Valproicacid is a knownteratogen(a substance that causes birth defects) and can result in abnormal brain development. Exposure during the first trimester puts the child at the greatest risk of developing autism.
There are many misconceptions about other causes of autism. Vaccines, for example, are one of thethings that don’t cause autism.
Diagnosis of ADHD vs. Autism
There are no medical tests for either ADHD or autism. Diagnosis for both relies on observations, interviews, and assessments of development and behavior.
Prior to making an autism orADHD diagnosis, practitioners conduct tests and ask questions to rule out other possible contributions to attention issues such as anxiety or a learning disability.
At the evaluation, specialists use a variety of different tests to determine the person’s intelligence quotient (IQ), speech and language skills, and behaviors.
Specialists may ask parents a number of questions about the child’s development. They may have parents fill out questionnaires about their child’s behaviors, growth, medical history, and more. They may also may wish to speak with teachers and other caregivers to help with the diagnosis.
Can Autism Be Misdiagnosed as ADHD?Because ADHD and autism have many overlapping symptoms, it is possible for a child with autism to be misdiagnosed with ADHD. It is also possible for a child with ADHD to be misdiagnosed with autism.
Can Autism Be Misdiagnosed as ADHD?
Because ADHD and autism have many overlapping symptoms, it is possible for a child with autism to be misdiagnosed with ADHD. It is also possible for a child with ADHD to be misdiagnosed with autism.
Both autism and ADHD, particularly when mild, may be diagnosed in adults. Usually, the diagnosis comes from a psychologist or psychiatrist, though it may also come from a general practitioner.
Treatment for ADHD vs. Autism
While the diagnosis and causes of autism and ADHD may be similar, treatments are usually quite different. In part, that’s because there are pharmaceutical treatments for ADHD while there are none that directly treat autism.
It’s also important to note that autism, unlike ADHD, is a spectrum disorder. That means that there are people with both mild and severe autism—andsevere autismcan be extremely disabling.
Treatments for Autism
There is a wide range oftreatments for autism, depending on the individual’s particular needs. The most common, however, include:
Treatments for ADHD
Most people with ADHD are treated, at least partially, withpharmaceuticalsto help decrease impulsivity and increase focus. These medications may be stimulants or non-stimulants, and the choice of treatment may depend on the age of the patient. In addition, treatments may include:
Treatment for children with ADHD may take a team of parents, teachers, and family members to help provide structure and enforce acceptable social skills.Adult ADHD therapycan involve meeting with a professional counselor or therapist to help meet goals.
Summary
ADHD and autism are not the same disorder, but they may be hard to tell apart. In addition, it’s very common for one individual to have both diagnoses. Treatment for the two disorders is similar but not identical, so it’s important to get the correct diagnosis.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Krakowski AD, Cost KT, Anagnostou E, Lai MC, et. al.Inattention and hyperactive/impulsive component scores do not differentiate between autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in a clinical sample.Mol Autism. 2020;11(1):28. doi:10.1186/s13229-020-00338-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics about ADHD.Hours C, Recasens C, Baleyte JM.ASD and ADHD comorbidity: what are we talking about?Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:837424. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.837424National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: what you need to know.Autism Speaks.Signs of autism in adults.Leitner Y.The co-occurrence of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children - what do we know?Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:268. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00268Rommelse N, Buitelaar JK, Hartman CA.Structural brain imaging correlates of ASD and ADHD across the lifespan: a hypothesis-generating review on developmental ASD–ADHD subtypes.J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2017;124(2):259-271. doi:10.1007/s00702-016-1651-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is ADHD?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is autism spectrum disorder?Taleb A, Lin W, Xu X, et al.Emerging mechanisms of valproic acid-induced neurotoxic events in autism and its implications for pharmacological treatment.Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;137:111322. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111322Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Autism and vaccines.National Institute of Mental Health.Autism spectrum disorder.CHADD.Treatment of ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Krakowski AD, Cost KT, Anagnostou E, Lai MC, et. al.Inattention and hyperactive/impulsive component scores do not differentiate between autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in a clinical sample.Mol Autism. 2020;11(1):28. doi:10.1186/s13229-020-00338-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics about ADHD.Hours C, Recasens C, Baleyte JM.ASD and ADHD comorbidity: what are we talking about?Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:837424. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.837424National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: what you need to know.Autism Speaks.Signs of autism in adults.Leitner Y.The co-occurrence of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children - what do we know?Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:268. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00268Rommelse N, Buitelaar JK, Hartman CA.Structural brain imaging correlates of ASD and ADHD across the lifespan: a hypothesis-generating review on developmental ASD–ADHD subtypes.J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2017;124(2):259-271. doi:10.1007/s00702-016-1651-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is ADHD?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is autism spectrum disorder?Taleb A, Lin W, Xu X, et al.Emerging mechanisms of valproic acid-induced neurotoxic events in autism and its implications for pharmacological treatment.Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;137:111322. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111322Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Autism and vaccines.National Institute of Mental Health.Autism spectrum disorder.CHADD.Treatment of ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Krakowski AD, Cost KT, Anagnostou E, Lai MC, et. al.Inattention and hyperactive/impulsive component scores do not differentiate between autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in a clinical sample.Mol Autism. 2020;11(1):28. doi:10.1186/s13229-020-00338-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics about ADHD.Hours C, Recasens C, Baleyte JM.ASD and ADHD comorbidity: what are we talking about?Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:837424. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.837424National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: what you need to know.Autism Speaks.Signs of autism in adults.Leitner Y.The co-occurrence of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children - what do we know?Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:268. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00268Rommelse N, Buitelaar JK, Hartman CA.Structural brain imaging correlates of ASD and ADHD across the lifespan: a hypothesis-generating review on developmental ASD–ADHD subtypes.J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2017;124(2):259-271. doi:10.1007/s00702-016-1651-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is ADHD?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is autism spectrum disorder?Taleb A, Lin W, Xu X, et al.Emerging mechanisms of valproic acid-induced neurotoxic events in autism and its implications for pharmacological treatment.Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;137:111322. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111322Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Autism and vaccines.National Institute of Mental Health.Autism spectrum disorder.CHADD.Treatment of ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Krakowski AD, Cost KT, Anagnostou E, Lai MC, et. al.Inattention and hyperactive/impulsive component scores do not differentiate between autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in a clinical sample.Mol Autism. 2020;11(1):28. doi:10.1186/s13229-020-00338-1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics about ADHD.
Hours C, Recasens C, Baleyte JM.ASD and ADHD comorbidity: what are we talking about?Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:837424. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.837424
National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: what you need to know.
Autism Speaks.Signs of autism in adults.
Leitner Y.The co-occurrence of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children - what do we know?Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:268. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00268
Rommelse N, Buitelaar JK, Hartman CA.Structural brain imaging correlates of ASD and ADHD across the lifespan: a hypothesis-generating review on developmental ASD–ADHD subtypes.J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2017;124(2):259-271. doi:10.1007/s00702-016-1651-1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is ADHD?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is autism spectrum disorder?
Taleb A, Lin W, Xu X, et al.Emerging mechanisms of valproic acid-induced neurotoxic events in autism and its implications for pharmacological treatment.Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;137:111322. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111322
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Autism and vaccines.
National Institute of Mental Health.Autism spectrum disorder.
CHADD.Treatment of ADHD.
National Institute of Mental Health.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
