Differences between ADHD and Autism
Contents
Differences between ADHD and Autism
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are distinct neurodevelopmental conditions with different diagnostic criteria, but they share some characteristics, which can make differentiation challenging.[1][2] Both affect brain development and can impact executive functioning skills like impulse control, focus, and organization.[3] Since 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has allowed for a dual diagnosis, recognizing that an individual can have both conditions.[4]
Comparison Table
| Category | ADHD | Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Characteristics | A pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning.[1] | Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.[2] |
| Social Interaction | Social difficulties often stem from inattention (missing social cues) or impulsivity (interrupting others).[5] | A foundational difficulty in understanding and responding to social cues, interpreting nonverbal communication, and engaging in reciprocal social interaction. |
| Communication | May talk excessively, interrupt others, or have difficulty waiting their turn to speak. | Challenges can include delayed or absent speech, repetitive language, and difficulty with the back-and-forth of conversation and nonverbal communication like eye contact and gestures.[3] |
| Interests | May have intense interests (hyperfixations) that are often passionate but can be short-lived. | Characterized by highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in their intensity and can be lifelong. |
| Behaviors | Characterized by restlessness, fidgeting, and an inability to stay seated. | Involves repetitive motor movements (stimming), such as hand-flapping, and a strong adherence to routines.[5] |
| Response to Routine | May become bored with structure and seek novelty. | Often thrives on predictability and can experience significant distress when routines are changed. |
Social and Communication Differences
The underlying reasons for social challenges differ between the two conditions. In ADHD, an individual might struggle socially because of impulsivity, such as interrupting conversations, or inattention, which can cause them to miss social cues.[5] For autistic individuals, the challenge is more fundamental, involving difficulty in intuitively understanding social norms, interpreting nonverbal language, and engaging in reciprocal conversation.
Communication patterns also vary. A person with ADHD might talk excessively or struggle to take turns in a conversation. An autistic person's communication differences may include atypical speech patterns, difficulty understanding sarcasm or irony, and challenges using and interpreting gestures and body language.[3]
Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors
A core feature of autism is the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests.[2] This can manifest as repetitive physical movements, known as stimming, or an intense, narrow, and often long-lasting interest in specific topics. While individuals with ADHD can also show intense focus, often called hyperfocus or hyperfixation, these interests tend to be more transient. Similarly, the restlessness and fidgeting common in ADHD are typically a release of excess energy, whereas the repetitive movements in autism often serve a self-regulatory or soothing function.
Sensory Processing
Both autistic individuals and those with ADHD can experience atypical sensory processing. However, these differences can manifest in distinct ways. In autism, individuals often experience hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input, meaning they may be either much more or much less sensitive to sounds, lights, textures, or smells than neurotypical people.[2] For people with ADHD, sensory issues are often linked to attention regulation; they may seek sensory input to stay alert or become easily distracted by competing sensory information in their environment.
Co-occurrence
It is common for ADHD and autism to co-occur.[3] Studies estimate that 30–80% of autistic individuals also meet the criteria for ADHD, and 20–50% of individuals with ADHD show signs of autism. When the conditions co-occur, they can exacerbate challenges in communication, adaptive functioning, and emotional regulation.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "autismparentingmagazine.com". Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "behavioral-innovations.com". Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "chadd.org". Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "nih.gov". Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "chadd.org". Retrieved October 10, 2025.
