ADHD and autism are different conditions that have many similar symptoms. In 2013, mental health professionals noted that an individual may have both ADHD and autism.

When a school-aged child can’t focus on tasks or in school, parents may think their child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Difficulty concentrating on homework? Fidgeting and difficulty sitting still? An inability to make or maintain eye contact?

All of these are symptoms of ADHD.

These symptoms do match what most people understand about the common neurodevelopmental disorder. Even many doctors might gravitate toward that diagnosis. Yet, ADHD might not be the only answer.

Before an ADHD diagnosis is made, it’s worth understanding how ADHD and autism can be confused and understand when they overlap.

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder often found in children. Approximately 9.4% of U.S. children between the ages of 2 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.

There are three types of ADHD:

  • predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
  • predominantly inattentive
  • combination

The combined type of ADHD, where you experience both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, is the most common.

The average age of diagnosis is 7 years old, and boys are much more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, although this may be because it presents differently.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), another childhood condition, also affects an increasing number of children.

ASD is a group of complex disorders. These disorders affect behavior, development, and communication. About 1 in 68 U.S. children has been diagnosed with ASD. Boys are four-and-a-half times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

In the earliest stages, it’s not unusual for ADHD and ASD to be mistaken for the other. Children with either condition may experience trouble communicating and focusing. Although they have some similarities, they’re still two distinct conditions.

Here’s a comparison of the two conditions and their symptoms:

ADHD symptomsAutism symptoms
being easily distracted
frequently jumping from one task to another or quickly growing bored with tasks
unresponsive to common stimuli
difficulty focusing, or concentrating and narrowing attention to one task
intense focus and concentration on a singular item
talking nonstop or blurting things out
hyperactivity
trouble sitting still
interrupting conversations or activities
lack of concern or inability to react to other people’s emotions or feelings
repetitive movement, such as rocking or twisting
avoiding eye contact
withdrawn behaviors
impaired social interaction
delayed developmental milestones

There may be a reason why symptoms of ADHD and ASD can be difficult to distinguish from one another. Both can occur at the same time. For example, some people with ADHD may experience symptoms, such as intense focus and concentration on one item, that fall outside the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

Not every child can be clearly diagnosed. A doctor may decide only one of the disorders is responsible for your child’s symptoms. In other cases, children may have both conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 14% of children with ADHD also have ASD. In one study from 2013, children with both conditions had more debilitating symptoms than children who didn’t exhibit ASD traits.

In other words, children with ADHD and ASD symptoms were more likely to have learning difficulties and impaired social skills than children who only had one of the conditions.

For many years, doctors were hesitant to diagnose a child with both ADHD and ASD. For that reason, very few medical studies have looked at the impact of the combination of conditions on children and adults.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) stated for years that the two conditions couldn’t be diagnosed in the same person. In 2013, the APA changed its stance. With the release of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the APA states that the two conditions can co-occur.

In a 2014 review of studies looking at the co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD, researchers found that between 30 to 50% of people with ASD also have symptoms of ADHD. Researchers don’t fully understand the cause for either condition or why they occur together so frequently.

Both conditions may be linked to genetics. One study identified a rare gene that may be linked to both conditions. This finding could explain why these conditions often occur in the same person.

More research is still needed to better understand the connection between ADHD and ASD.

The first step in helping your child get the proper support is getting a correct diagnosis. You may need to seek out a child behavior disorder specialist.

A lot of pediatricians and general practitioners don’t have the specialized training to understand the combination of symptoms. Pediatricians and general practitioners may also miss another underlying condition that complicates support plans.

Managing the symptoms of ADHD can help your child manage the symptoms of ASD, too. The behavioral techniques your child will learn may help lessen the symptoms of ASD. That’s why getting the proper diagnosis and adequate support is so vital.

Behavioral therapy can be helpful for ADHD, and is recommended as the first line of support for children under the age of 6. For children over the age of 6, behavioral therapy is recommended with medication.

Some medications commonly used to treat ADHD include:

  • methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Methylin, Focalin, Daytrana)
  • mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall)
  • dextroamphetamine (Zenzedi, Dexedrine)
  • lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
  • guanfacine (Tenex, Intuniv)
  • clonidine (Catapres, Catapres TTS, Kapvay)

Behavioral therapy is also often used as a tool for helping with ASD, too. Medication may also be prescribed to treat symptoms. In people who have been diagnosed with both ASD and ADHD, medication prescribed for symptoms of ADHD may also help some symptoms of ASD.

Your child’s doctor may need to try several methods of support before finding one that manages symptoms, or there may be multiple support methods used simultaneously.

Online therapy options

Read our review of the best online therapy options to find the right fit for you.

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ADHD and ASD are lifelong conditions that can be managed with support that isright for the individual. Be patient and open to trying various options. You may also need to move to new support methods as your child gets older and symptoms evolve.

Scientists are continuing to research the connection between these two conditions. Research may reveal more information about the causes and more support options may become available.

Talk to your doctor about new support methods or clinical trials. If your child has been diagnosed with only ADHD or ASD and you think they may have both conditions, talk to your doctor. Discuss all your child’s symptoms and whether your doctor thinks the diagnosis should be adjusted. A correct diagnosis is essential to receiving effective support.