

In contrast, autistic children often demonstrate an insistence on sameness, wanting to adhere to routines or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior.įor instance, they may read the same book over and over or want the same foods for dinner every evening. Without variety, they may also lose interest in activities. not initiate or respond to social interactionsĬhildren with ADHD can become bored quickly with a structure that they find uninteresting, including that of the classroom.play differently - they may not understand turn-taking or imaginative play.have difficulty expressing their emotions and thoughts.not notice how their words affect other people.Some children with ADHD also have these difficulties, but they typically present in different ways. CommunicationĬommunication difficulties are characteristic of autism.

A child with ADHD may not be able to pay attention to any subject.Īn autistic child may have high levels of focus on their favorite topics, but may not be able to engage in subjects that interest them less. It may be easiest to spot these signs while the child is doing their homework. They may be able to recall facts and details easily, and some may excel in math, science, music, or art. They may seem to obsess over things that they enjoy and have difficulty focusing on things that they have no interest in. The following descriptions may help with differentiating between the symptoms of the two conditions: Attention spanĬhildren with ADHD often have difficulty paying attention to the same thing for too long, and they may get distracted easily.Īutistic children may have a limited scope of interest. Telling the difference between autism and ADHD can sometimes be difficult, especially in younger children.
