17/11/2025
Autism & ADHD - Key Differences
* Autism: a developmental condition characterised by difficulties with social communication such as social reciprocity (turn-taking, back and forth conversations, initiating conversations or engaging with social cues such as small talk, or eye-contact).
Autism is different to ADHD, because it's often accompanied by restricted/repetitive behaviours; namely difficulties with change, reliance on sameness or sensory sensitivity.
* ADHD: a developmental condition characterised by persistent difficulties with inattention. This can include difficulties holding, initiating or sustaining attention. Sometimes inattention can coincide with hyperactivity; difficulties sitting still, fast-paced tangential speech, or bouncing between tasks without finishing these.
* Whilst both conditions can co-occur, the key differences are rooted in areas of difficulty. ADHD is a condition of attention.
ADHD can often interfere or impact a person's social interactions: perhaps finding yourself frequently interrupting someone, or unintentionally zoning out while they're speaking. Whereas Autism can sometimes appear as difficulties or challenges with reading or understanding social cues, norms or expectations.
