This week's #AutismQandA question comes from Preston A. of Kanawha County. WVDE autism spectrum disorders coordinator, Jennifer Anderson, has the answer.
"Preston, what a great question! While there are many things that are different about someone’s brain when they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism (ASD), there are many things that are the same, too. Someone with ADHD typically jumps from one task to the next and needs new and exciting routines, whereas someone with ASD likes to concentrate on one thing at a time with the same routine and structure. Someone with ADHD has quickly changing interests and can be impulsive (make quick decisions). Someone with ASD has intense knowledge/focus in certain areas and carefully plans things before a decision is made. Socially, someone with ADHD may be very talkative and have lots of friends while someone with ASD may have a hard time making friends because they prefer to be alone or misunderstand body language and social cues.
People with ADHD or ASD have similarities that could include struggles with sensory issues, lots of body movement such as fidgeting or stimming, having a hard time focusing or staying on task, or not showing appropriate emotions at times. These similarities are why they may go to the same doctors or therapists."
~ Jennifer Anderson, M.A., ASDCS, NBCT
Coordinator (Autism Spectrum Disorders/Behavior)
WVDE Office of Special Education
Learn more about autism https://bit.ly/39hra2B.
Submit your child or student's question https://bit.ly/3MP3wsB.
Original source can be found here
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