ADHD and autism are often confused with one another, and although both are neurodevelopmental conditions, there are notable differences in how the two conditions present in day to day life.
In this article, we aim to better define the two conditions in the hope of providing guidance, reassurance and suitable advice for families or individuals that are going through a diagnosis.
What is ADHD and what is autism?
First, it’s important to define the two terms and understand exactly what both conditions cover.
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that can be characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviour. The condition can present differently in boys and girls, children and adults, and there are three key types; inattentive, hyper-active/compulsive, and combined.
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterised by individual perceptions of the world that present in certain behaviours that can affect social communication and interaction, and sensory processing. ASD presents itself in a spectrum, which means it can present differently from one person to another. The severity and impact of autism varies from person to person, which means it can sometimes be hard to manage, identify, and diagnose.
Why are ADHD assessments and autism assessments necessary?
In order to be officially diagnosed with ADHD or autism, a professional assessment is needed. Assessments are often life-changing, as they can open doors to understanding these conditions. Assessments can help define the exact nature of the condition and help to gain an official diagnosis, which is the next stage of the process.
Diagnosing ADHD and autism is a vital step that can help an individual and their surrounding circle by developing coping mechanisms and strategies to assist the individual through school, work, and life in general. It can also offer tailored solutions that help manage any accessibility issues that may be preventing that person from enjoying and managing their day to day life.
Assessments bring clarity, validation and an explanation for life’s challenges, and can also enable a person to access various support services, occupational therapy, psychological support, or specialised learning programmes. It can also provide accessibility to a network of people who are living with the same condition, which can promote acceptance, understanding, empathy and increased self-worth.
When to be seen for an ADHD assessment or autism assessment
Often, signs and symptoms appear in childhood, and are easier to diagnose once your child is in social settings such as school or nursery. Parents and teachers generally notice signs or typical symptoms, however in some cases, it can take far longer to diagnose. It is not uncommon for people to get an official diagnosis in adulthood, especially if the individual has developed coping mechanisms, or ‘masks’ the symptoms well.
Common signs of ADHD include, but are not limited, to:
– An inability to stay focused or easily distracted
– Excessive fidgeting or restlessness
– Impulsive behaviour, such as interrupting conversations
– Difficulty following through with tasks
Common signs of Autism, or ASD, include:
– Having difficulty with social interaction or understanding social cues
– Presenting repetitive behaviours or set routines
– Showing an intense focus on specific interests
– Presenting sensory sensitivities, such as being overly sensitive to lights, sounds, or textures
The referral processes for ADHD and autism
In the UK, standard practice is to request a referral from your GP. This begins the assessment process, so if you are a parent considering seeking a diagnosis for your child, visit your GP first. In the appointment, you will need to discuss your concerns and provide any examples of the behaviour that you think warrants an official assessment.
Depending on the outcome of the discussion, you may receive a referral for an official assessment. If you are seeking a diagnosis individually, then speak to a GP or psychiatrist to talk about your concerns. You can also access assessments via a self-pay route where you would self-fund the cost of the assessment and potentially any subsequent treatment. Find out more about our specialist ADHD services or get in touch to speak to a friendly member of our team.
Gathering personal, educational, and medical history
For children, teachers or other school staff might similarly recommend an assessment after observing difficulties in a classroom setting. If your child presents symptoms during the school day, then teachers can help with a referral, providing additional evidence of how your child’s behaviour presents in lessons. This can often strengthen your case and demonstrate that you aren’t singular in your observations.
For adults, the referral might come after self realisation, a suggestion from a friend or family member, or because of difficulties at work, which either repeat, or present frequently enough to disrupt your work life and relationships.
It is also worth noting down any instances where you feel that you, or your child, exhibited distinctive behaviour in other social settings, such as family gatherings, holidays, and day to day life. These can all help build your case and assist in the referral process. It can help to share how often this behaviour occurs, and how it affects the individual or the situation in question.
NHS waiting lists vs self-pay assessments
The NHS provides free assessments for ADHD and autism, which can be requested as part of your referral. However, depending on the severity of your individual case, it may be prudent to seek a self-pay assessment. This means you will need to pay for the assessment.
NHS waiting times for free assessments can exceed 12+ months, which can be detrimental to your plans and cause distress and worry. A self-pay assessment shortens the waiting time significantly, with costs varying depending on the treatment. You can read more about our self-pay ADHD and autism assessments here.
Prior to the assessment
Before the formal assessment, you or your child may be asked to complete a series of questionnaires. These are designed to give the clinician a clear idea of your behaviours, symptoms and how the condition may present itself to those who know you best. It is very important to be as truthful as possible, as a false diagnosis can be as detrimental as a missed diagnosis.
If you are an adult, then a close friend or family member will need to answer a series of questions. The person seeking the referral will also fill out a questionnaire, asking them about their childhood and current challenges, to help understand how it presents itself in your adult life. It can also help clarify whether the symptoms have persisted or got worse over time, which is an essential step to diagnosing ADHD or autism.
For children, parents and teachers will often be asked to fill out separate forms, ensuring that the assessment reflects behaviour across different settings. Again, it is important you are as truthful as possible. It is also important to remember these forms are confidential, and won’t be shared without your consent.
The ADHD diagnosis process: What to expect
Who performs an ADHD diagnosis?
An ADHD diagnosis will be performed by various specialists working in this field. Usually, an assessment would be carried out by a qualified psychiatrist. For children, a paediatrician may also take part in the process.
What to expect in an ADHD assessment
For an ADHD assessment, the clinician will be looking for patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. For adults specifically, this may involve any past behaviour that has caused problems with work, relationships and completing daily tasks. They may ask about specific situations, such as how you handle deadlines, difficult tasks, or regular distractions.
For young children, they will also observe them playing, or interacting with different settings or situations. Sometimes, tools are used to assist in diagnosis assessments. In ADHD, the Conners rating scales are a popular tool to help assess both children and adults.
ADHD outcome and results
Once the ADHD assessment is complete, the clinician will compile their findings and discuss the diagnosis with you. They will explain whether the symptoms meet the criteria for ADHD, and if a diagnosis is given, you will receive a follow up report of their findings to share with your GP, school or friends and family, should you wish to.
You will also receive details on the specific areas of difficulty for you or your child, as well as a tailored management plan, recommendations and resources for ongoing support and help post-diagnosis.
Routes to take after an ADHD diagnosis
Professional support
Often your clinician or GP will discuss a few options for how to manage your diagnosis. This may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, counselling, or could involve a focus on developing coping mechanisms such as worksheets, regular exercise, or an adjustment to your everyday routine.
Medication
For ADHD, you may be offered medication to help manage symptoms, which are called stimulants. Stimulants such as methylphenidate or non-stimulants like Atomoxetine are often offered depending on the individual case.
Educational support
If your child receives an ADHD diagnosis, then your school will work to support your child and provide SEN support or an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). Often, ADHD can be managed through organisational help and structured support.
The autism diagnosis process: What to expect
Who performs an autism assessment?
Depending on the individual’s behavioural patterns, an autism assessment may be performed by a number of different professionals, such as clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.
What to expect from an autism assessment
For an autism assessment, it may be a more in-depth assessment, due to the varying ways that autism can present itself. The assessment will involve a number of questions or observational tasks. The assessment will focus on social communication in particular, identifying repetitive behaviours, and observing any sensory sensitivities. Clinicians might ask about how your child, or you, interpret social cues, deal with changes in routine, or react to sensory stimuli like noise or touch.
Some clinicians may use diagnostic tools to aid their assessment. For example, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is a structure tool used to assess behaviours that relate to autism. Cognitive assessments and IQ tests may also help understand symptoms and certain behaviours.
Autism diagnosis outcome and results
Your assessor will share the findings and results with you after a period of time, and depending on the result, certain steps will be taken. This will include talking to your GP, and if it is a child, speaking to the school to update them on the assessment and the results. This is so the right steps can be taken to ensure your child receives the right kind of support.
Routes to take after an autism diagnosis
Professional support and treatment
For autism, treatment paths can include speech and language therapy programmes, occupational therapy, social and skills training and sensory integration therapy. Various support solutions can be offered to help you or your child receive a tailored treatment plan that is bespoke to you, as the spectral nature of autism means that each type, and treatment solution, is unique.
Educational support
For children with autism, a diagnosis can lead to special educational needs (SEN) support. This might include extra help in the classroom, access to specialist teaching, or an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), which legally outlines the support the child must receive. Due to the spectrum of behavioural characteristics that autism can include, there will be various routes and solutions, so it’s important to be prepared for various changes to your child’s routine, should your child present a more severe form of autism.
The ADHD and autism assessment process can feel overwhelming, but understanding what to expect can make it more manageable. Whether for yourself or your child, receiving a diagnosis is a crucial step in accessing the right support. For more information about how Modality can help you or your child with a diagnosis, click here.
