The key differences
| Area | More typical of ADHD | More typical of autism |
|---|---|---|
| Core difference | Attention, activity level and impulse control | Social communication, plus restricted or repetitive behaviours and interests |
| With other children | Wants to join in but may interrupt, act on impulse or miss turns | May find it hard to read social cues, start conversations or share interests |
| Routines and change | Often seeks novelty; routines are hard to stick to | Often prefers sameness; unexpected change can be distressing |
| Interests | Moves between interests quickly | Intense, focused interests |
| Senses | Sensory differences can occur | Over- or under-sensitivity to sound, touch, light or taste is common and part of the diagnosis |
| When it is noticed | Often when school demands increase | Often in the early years, though some children are recognised later |
Where do ADHD and autism look alike?
- Both can make it hard to follow classroom routines.
- Both can affect friendships, for different reasons.
- Both can involve difficulty with attention: in ADHD it wanders, in autism it may stay locked on one interest.
- Both can come with strong emotions and meltdowns.
Can a child have both?
Yes. ADHD and autism often occur together, and since 2013 the DSM-5 allows both to be diagnosed in the same child. This is one reason an assessment looks at the whole child rather than ticking off one condition.
What should I do if I am unsure?
Write down specific examples, including when your child was very young, ask the teacher what they see, and talk to your pediatrician. They may refer you to a developmental pediatrician or child psychiatrist. See who to see.
Common questions
- Which is worse, ADHD or autism?
- Neither is worse. They are different, and each varies widely from child to child. What matters is the support your child needs, which a clinician can help you work out.
- Is poor executive function a sign of ADHD or autism?
- It can occur in both, and in children with neither. Executive function difficulties alone do not point to one condition. See our guide to executive function in children.
- Can an online test tell ADHD and autism apart?
- No. Telling them apart needs a developmental history, observation and information from home and school, assessed by a clinician.
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Not a diagnosis. This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician. Written by the Mores Health team from the sources below; it has not yet been reviewed by a clinician.