What are ADHD and Autism?
In social life, many people still have the idea or stigma that individuals with Autism can be equated with individuals with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). These two things are different.
Individuals with ADHD are closely associated with conditions that affect how a person's brain grows and develops. At the same time, Autism is a developmental disorder that can affect a person's language, behavior, social interaction, and learning skills.
Several risk factors at birth that are thought to be associated with ADHD are premature birth, light birth weight, and birth injuries or trauma. Brain injury after birth has also been found to be associated with ADHD. Then some experts found that some regions of the brain of children with ADHD are smaller and have less activity, as much as 5-10%, compared to common areas. It also found a link between ADHD and chemical substances contained in brain cells.
Until now, ADHD has 3 categories, namely:
- Inattention (difficulty in focusing attention-intention) is where individuals with ADHD unconsciously lose their ability to concentrate on one thing, such as losing focus when doing something or being unable to concentrate when spoken to.
- Hyperactive (hyperactivity) is a condition in which individuals with ADHD tend to be restless and always want to move constantly. Individuals with ADHD have difficulty feeling calm in carrying out an activity and cannot do something monotonous.
- Impulsive is where the individual with ADHD loses control over his actions. So they tend to do things without thinking first. The individual is highly spontaneous in acting or making decisions.
The Difference Between ADHD and Autism
In terms of attention
Individuals with ADHD tend to avoid things that require high focus, such as reading books. Perhaps even from the start, they had shown no interest in such matters. In comparison, individuals with Autism tend to try to focus on the things they like. They can learn something they want, like playing with a particular toy.
In terms of interaction and communication with others
Both individuals with ADHD and Autism have difficulty communicating. But their problem is the opposite. Individuals with ADHD tend to talk incessantly. They can interrupt others while talking or interrupt to take over the conversation. They like to be dominant during discussions. Individuals with Autism have difficulty putting words into thoughts or feelings. This can make it difficult for them to speak. They also find it difficult to make eye contact and point out objects to give meaning to their speech.
Also Read: Clues For Parents To Autism
In terms of routine
Individuals with ADHD tend not to like to repeat the same routine on the same day or for a long time. Although actually, it can help them. They are easily distracted, get bored quickly, and easily move from one activity to another. Meanwhile, individuals with Autism tend to like neat or orderly things, such as order. They also don't like it when their routine changes suddenly. Other examples include tidying up cars or eating the same food repeatedly at his favorite restaurant.
It is difficult for parents or doctors to differentiate between ADHD and Autism. Sometimes, some children with Autism also have ADHD; However, not all children diagnosed with ADHD are also diagnosed with Autism. However, a diagnosis of ADHD or Autism must still be made, so the child gets the proper treatment. In some cases of ADHD and Autism, a combination of the appropriate drug and behavioral therapy is needed. However, in many other cases, it is enough that the right therapeutic approach is the best intervention to treat children with ADHD and Autism.
