Often Considered the Same, Recognize the Differences of ADHD and Autism

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a disorder that occurs in children's brains, causing children to have difficulty focusing and have impulsive and hyperactive behavior. People with ADHD are also often considered as sufferers of autism, considering that the two disorders are generally seen to be equally related to child development problems . However, ADHD and autism are different. So, what is the difference between ADHD and autism?

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is usually genetically inherited. This causes children with ADHD to have different behaviors from other normal children, such as hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, unable to behave calmly, easily distracted, impulsive, and difficult to follow instructions. Disorders of ADHD in children can affect brain function and development in children, besides that ADHD can also affect children's lives in academic, social, and emotional terms.

Difference between ADHD and Autism

Although ADHD and autism are both developmental problems in children, they are two different conditions. Then what are the differences, here are the differences between ADHD and autism

  1. The difference in the level of focus and concentration

People with ADHD tend to avoid things that require high focus and concentration, such as reading books. Meanwhile, people with autism tend to try to focus , or can focus on what they like

  1. Differences in terms of communication and interaction with others

In terms of communication, children with ADHD tend to be more dominant in discussions and talk non-stop. In contrast to autism, autism has difficulties in interacting, communicating, speaking/language, such as expressing desires, expressing feelings, constructing sentences and telling stories in a sequence.

  1. Differences in preferences for activity routines

ADHD children tend to avoid the same routine every day or for a long time. While autism likes everything that is more organized and doesn't change suddenly, and is very rigid in certain things, such as not liking when the routine is disturbed.

  1. Differences in terms of time of establishment of the diagnosis

Symptoms of ADHD in children can usually only be seen when the child is 3 years old and above, while symptoms in children with autism can already be detected since the child is under 2 years old.

Ways to parent an ADHD child

Here are some tips for caring for children with ADHD:

  1. Provide a structured schedule and routine. Structured routines and activities are expected to help children with ADHD learn to focus, organize activities in sequence, be able to complete tasks and be able to regulate their behavior.
  2. Find out what talents they have. Doing activities that they enjoy can make children with ADHD calmer and this way can also improve their abilities
  3. Give appreciation. Through appreciation can increase children's motivation to do good behavior.
  4. Give specific rules according to their abilities. Rules can help children with ADHD to be able to control themselves in their behavior, but don't make the rules too binding
  5. Give children space to explore. Avoid being too overprotective because this can trigger the inability to live independently in children so that they are unable to overcome problems .
  6. Provide nutritious food. Balanced nutrition can help improve focus and concentration in children.
  7. Administering drugs if hyperactivity, impulsivity and difficulty focusing have interfered / caused problems in children's activities at home and at school.

Every child with ADHD has different needs, so the treatment needed is also different. Therefore a consultation with a doctor is needed to find out the right treatment.

Article written by dr. Setyo Handryastuti, Sp. A (K) (Pediatric Specialist at EMC Tangerang Hospital).