It's common for people to become confused about certain terminologies when it comes to the mental health industry. After all, it seems as if there's a limitless number of acronyms and synonyms to describe various disorders of the brain. And then, there are the terms that can be considered an "umbrella" term for various other conditions.

Neurodivergence is definitely one of these umbrella terms. Neurodivergence is a term to describe brains that function differently than what is considered normal.

Being neurodivergent, or any of the conditions that encompass it, is not new to the world. Virtually everyone in Canada has likely heard of at least one, if not more, of these terms. You have likely heard of some of the most common neurodivergent conditions, such as:

• Dyslexia

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

• Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Down Syndrome

• Learning disabilities

Even though these disorders are housed under the term neurodivergent, they do differ from one another. Today's post is going to take a look at the differences between ADHD and ASD. Perhaps we should also talk about their similarities to better understand the differences!

ADHD & ASD: The Traits They Share and How They Are Different

Hyperfocus

People with ADHD or ASD tend to have a laser focus on certain activities or hobbies. The difference is the longevity of these interests.

For instance, someone with ADHD will become hyperfocused on one activity and spend their energy and time devoted to that. Inevitably, they always end up moving on to a new interest. Someone who is autistic will also have a laser focus on certain activities or hobbies. However, their interest in those activities will always be around and become part of their normal routine.

Repetitive behaviors

Repetitive behaviors in both of these disorders are meant to stimulate as well as calm someone down. A person with ADHD might repeat certain movements, such as tapping or twirling their hair, to help try to focus or calm themselves.

Those who are autistic will also have behaviors that they repeat. In their case, these behaviors are part of a strict routine. When their routine gets interrupted, or they can't perform a certain behavior, it can dramatically decrease the quality of their day for this interruption.

Socialization

People with ADHD and ASD both struggle with aspects of socialization. In both cases, they struggle to connect with other people and have difficulty maintaining eye contact.

However, one main difference is that those with ADHD will struggle more with focusing on the conversation itself. Someone with ASD, on the other hand, will have a hard time reading social cues and learning how to respond properly in a conversation. Additionally, someone who has autism will struggle to feel comfortable around new people or may refuse to speak altogether in their presence.

Can You Have Autism and ADHD At The Same Time?

It is possible that someone could have both. While they share quite a few similarities, they are completely separate conditions. As an adult, you may have always wondered if you were on the spectrum or had ADHD that just went undiagnosed. Or you might be observing your child and wondering if they have one of these mental health disorders. 

In either case, both of these conditions can be managed. Remember, a diagnosis of any kind does not define or label you.

If you are interested to learn more about ADHD therapy or autism spectrum disorder, don't hesitate to reach out to us to learn more.