| Though it is not known why autism, attention deficit | | | | upon parents, teachers, and other caregivers to |
| disorder, as well as other autism spectrum conditions | | | | observe behaviors that deviate from ADD, and to |
| have become increasingly common, their instances | | | | identify a narrower perspective with regards to the |
| have continued to rise substantially over the past few | | | | child's behavioral issues. |
| decades. The controversy surrounding this issue is | | | | Should misdiagnosis be suspected, it is wise for |
| currently escalating as quickly as the rate of instances. | | | | parents to familiarize themselves with the various |
| Another challenge is the diagnosis - and misdiagnosis - | | | | behaviors common to both autism and ADD and then |
| of these conditions, leading to common autism attention | | | | to recognize the differences. |
| deficit confusion. | | | | Behaviors frequently seen in autistic children include: |
| The term "autism" covers a broad range of conditions | | | | - Difficulty socializing with other children the same or |
| and symptoms ranging dramatically in their severity, | | | | different ages. |
| causing it to frequently be referred to as autism | | | | - Difficulty socializing with adults |
| spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD includes autism itself, | | | | - Lack of fear of danger |
| Asperger's syndrome, as well as other pervasive | | | | - Tantrums - showing large degrees of distress for no |
| developmental disorders. It does not, however, include | | | | clear reason |
| attention deficit disorder (ADD) nor attention deficit | | | | - Inappropriate laughing |
| hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). | | | | - Dislike of cuddling |
| Nevertheless, the autism attention deficit confusion | | | | - Little to no eye contact made |
| remains due to the similarity frequently witnessed in the | | | | - Notable physical over- or under-activity |
| symptoms of each condition. As there is no single | | | | - Uneven fine and/or gross motor skills |
| specified group of symptoms that occurs in every | | | | - Impulsive working habits with frequent sloppiness and |
| instance of either autism or attention deficit disorder it | | | | careless mistakes |
| can make them hard to diagnose, especially for the lay | | | | On the other hand, behaviors frequently seen in |
| person. | | | | children with ADD or ADHD include: |
| The key to making sure that the right diagnosis is | | | | - Inability to speak or play quietly; disruptive in speech |
| achieved, and that autism and attention deficit | | | | or behaviors |
| confusion is avoided, is to understand the signs and | | | | - Struggles to wait his or her turn in a game, line, or |
| symptoms of both disorders. Self-education is a | | | | other similar activity |
| parent's best tool for understanding what he or she is | | | | - Takes part in activities with a high risk of danger |
| and is not facing in their child. | | | | - A lack of normal consideration for caution or |
| Both conditions will present in the same way at the | | | | consequences |
| beginning, both socially and biologically. Both conditions | | | | - Extreme temper tantrums |
| include a lacking in the executive functions (planning, | | | | - Disruptive, interrupting, speaking and behaving |
| decision-making and response control) within the brain's | | | | inappropriately |
| frontal lobes, and have a number of shared symptoms. | | | | - Difficulty being held or soothed when very young |
| Even autism and attention deficit disorder research | | | | - Always active and moving, even while asleep |
| have similarities in the behaviors and behavioral | | | | - Doesn't appear to be listening when directly spoken |
| processes that are studied and believed to be linked to | | | | to |
| impairments in brain functioning. Furthermore, both | | | | - Uneven fine and/or gross motor skills |
| conditions include a form of deficiency in both fine and | | | | - Doesn't pay attention to finder details and makes |
| gross motor skills. | | | | careless mistakes in tasks |
| However, despite these commonalities in symptoms, | | | | With these lists of symptoms, it is clear to see why |
| autism and ADD confusion is just that - a confusion | | | | misdiagnosis and autism attention deficit confusion is so |
| between two entirely different disorders. That being | | | | common. Vigilance and education are the keys to |
| said, when ADD and ADHD are diagnosed, doctors will | | | | overcoming these errors. |
| not routinely screen for autism. The onus is placed | | | | |