Dual family guide
The first explanation most doctors arrive at is also ADHD. When a child can’t sit still for homework or a meal, gets up during class, fidgets, or talks too much and too insistently, parents, caregivers, educators, tutors, and coaches think, “This kid must have ADHD!” Scientists believe they share a common genetic link, which could explain why their comorbidity is common.ĭifferentiating autism from ADHD confuses many families. They are different conditions that share some similar behaviors - difficulty managing emotions, social awkwardness, the ability to focus only on things that interest them, and impulsivity. AutismĪttention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD or ADD) and autism are neurodevelopmental disorders that impact similar brain functions. Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environmentĪccording to the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC), “Individuals who have marked deficits in social communication, but whose symptoms do not otherwise meet criteria for autism spectrum disorder, should be evaluated for social (pragmatic) communication disorder.Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus.Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior.Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech.
In addition to the above, a patient must display two of the following behaviors to qualify for an ASD diagnosis, assuming the behaviors are not better explained by another diagnosis:
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According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is now appropriate for patients who, prior to 2013, may have been diagnosed with autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, or pervasive develop- mental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) - all conditions characterized by social and communication impairments.
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Autism is a complex neurobiological developmental disability that results in persistent deficits in social communication or interactions, plus restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior sensory issues may also be present.