Question

differntial clinical manifestation seen in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and austim spectrum disorder.

Answer 1

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and austim spectrum disorder are both neurodevelopmental conditions, both have hidden abilities and dissabilities that are not obvious from the outside and they are both misunderstood. Though both the condition share some common symptoms but have totally different causes. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is neurological difference in predominently one area namely attention regulation. Autism on the other hand is suite of neurological differences accross many areas like sensory processing, working memory, emotional regulation including attention regulation.

However, from a diagnosis perspective Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder centers on attention with criteria assessing inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. In contrast the diagnosis criteria, austim spectrum disorder focuses on the social aspect. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterized by under regulation or distraction and difficulty focusing while austim spectrum disorder is often characterized by overregulation, fixating or getting stuck. However, autism can be either because any deviation from the neurotypical norm adds to the evidence of an Autism diagnosis. In simple terms, under regulation looks like inattention and impulsiveness while over regulation looks more like stubborness, inflexibility and not giving up for no reason. One major difference in the clinical manifestation of the two is that austim spectrum disorder has an uneven profile of abilities or gaps in the skillset which is not necessarily found in Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.