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Disorders that can look like ADHD in Children

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Disorders that can look like ADHD in Children

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Many other disorders may have similar signs as ADHD or comorbid with ADHD. A lot of those disorder may be diagnosed in children alongside ADHD. These are some examples:

Anxiety Disorders: Children with ADHD are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. In fact 1/5 children with ADHD will (WebMD, 2021).

Depression: Depression is also a disorder that is more likely in children with ADHD. Not only could it be cause by the additional stress of the disorder but also by side effects of medication (WebMD, 2021).

Oppositional Defiant Disorder: This disorder is describes children who experience constant lost of temper, refusing to follow rules and arguing with adults. Like ADHD, those signs may be normal for a children under 4 years old so it is only at that age that they can get a diagnosis (WebMD, 2021).

Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms of bipolar disorder and ADHD are very similar, which makes it hard to differentiate the two. Children who have a bipolar disorder experience extreme moods swings that alternate between periods of chronic crankiness and depression (WebMD, 2021).

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (2003). In W. T. O'Donohue, & E. Levensky (Eds.), Handbook of forensic psychology: resource for mental health and legal professionals. Elsevier Science & Technology. Credo Reference: https://credo-crc.proxy.collecto.ca/content/entry/estforensic/attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder/0

Blog archives. Dr. Aharon Fried PhD Collected Writings. (2018, June 28). Retrieved April 3, 2023, from http://www.aharonhershfried.com/blog/archives/06-2018

Claire McCarthy, M. D. (2015, October 27). Is it ADHD-or autism? Harvard Health. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-it-adhd-or-autism-201510278462

Frey, R. J., & Bullard, E. C. (2016). Asperger syndrome. In Gale (Ed.), Gale encyclopedia of children's health: Infancy through adolescence (3rd ed.). Gale. Credo Reference: https://credo-crc.proxy.collecto.ca/content/entry/galegchita/asperger_syndrome/0

Jones, E. J. (2017). Autism. In B. Hopkins, & R. G. Barr (Eds.), The Cambridge encyclopedia of child development (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. Credo Reference: https://credo-crc.proxy.collecto.ca/content/entry/cupchilddev/autism/0

Morin, A. (2023, March 27). Difference between ADHD and autism. Understood. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-adhd-and-autism

WebMD. (n.d.). 6 medical conditions similar to ADHD. WebMD. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/medical-conditions-like-adhd

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There are many signs that children can show that could indicate both to an ADHD or autism diagnosis. Sometimes, telling the difference between is difficult and it is important to get a diagnosis from a profesional rather than generalise. Examples of those signs would be:
-Impulsivity
-Being very active
-Trouble focusing
-Trouble with social interactions

In fact, a study showed that, in 1500 children between age 2-17 years old that are diagnosed with autism first had an ADHD diagnosis and only got an autism diagnosis in average 3 years later (McCarthy 2015)

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What is autism?
It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is charactarized by social difficulties, restrictive interest, repetitive behaviour and sensory overload (Jones, 2017).

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Autism is a spectrum. Meaning that a child that is on the spectrum can be highly functional to necessiting a lot of help to function in the society. Just like ADHD, autism can look extremely different for every kid!

However, children who are on the spectrum, no matter how far on it they are, all show general common signs:

These could be problems in social communication and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour.

Other signs that may indicate to an autism spectrum disorder, but that may not be present for all kids could be:

Intellectual impairement (or, in the opposite, advancement), language delay and motor problems (Rapoza, 2017).

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ADHD is the acrononym for Attention deficit/Hyperactivity disorder. ADHD catagorises children who are persistantly hyperactive, impulsive, energetic and easily bored. (O'Donohue and Levensky, 2003)

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Examples of sign demonstrating ADHD in a child

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Signs of ADHD look very different for each individuals. They are usually divided in 3 different categories: Inattention, Hyperactivity and Impulsivity. When children show strong and consistent signs of those symptoms, parents should look into getting a diagnosis. (O'Donohue and Levensky, 2003)

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More and more children are diagnosed with ADHD. Is because we have more advanced tools? Or is it because we overdiagnosed? Do we diagnose children who are only being children with ADHD? The video above describes this contraversy.

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New report flags concerns about an over-diagnosis of ADHD | The Drum

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Autism is often a taboo subject because people who are on the spectrum are often considered "delayed" on others. However, being on the spectrum does not mean that this person is any less intelligent than others. In fact, this person's mind is built in such an impressive way that their intelligence might be even better!

For example, people who are on the spectrum are most often obssessed by certain subjects. This could give them the motivation to go in that work field in the future and succeed! In this case, their autism spectrum disorder helps them focus and maintain their goals. An example of this would be the famous soccer player Lionel Messi, who is on the spectrum! Looking on an academic level, scientists like Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and even Albert Einstein also had a form of ASD! In fact, they had the type of autism called "The Aspergers syndrome" (Aharon, 2018)

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Here is a video of numerous people diagnosed with ADHD describing their experience of life!

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Autism and ADHD may show many similar signs, but there are still some major differences between the two conditions.

First of all, ADHD is a disorder that makes it hard for children to pay attention and sit still as it also makes them impulsive (Amanda). Autism however, focuses more on social skills, communication and thinking as well as repetitive behaviour (Amanda 2023).

Then, both conditions impact greatly a child emotional state but in different ways. For a kid with ADHD, their self-esteem may be negatively impacted due to their impulsive behaviour. For someone with autism, they will have difficulty making friends because of struggle with social cues and communication (Amanda 2023).

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Asperger's syndrome is a type of autism that is often talked about seperately than other type of autism. It is a very particular syndrome as children who categorise in this spectrum are actually advanced on an intelligence and verbal level. In contrary of other type of less functionning spectrum in which they could have a delay of speech. In fact they have an above level of speech and intelligence compared in regards to IQ, not just within the community of children on the spectrum (Frey, 2016). However, they still are considered on the spectrum because they share some of the same signs of autism as other who are on the spectrum such as:
-Problem with social interaction and empathy
-Difficulties with non-verbal situations (Facial Expressions.)
-Lack of "common sense"
-Fascination about certain aspects and exclusion of others
-Clumsy and awkard movements
-Odd or eccentric behaviors (Frey, 2016).

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Sheldon is originally a character from the TV show "The Big Bang Theory". He portrays a character that is extremely gifted in intelligence, but lacks of social skills such. He also is overly sensitive. Although his character can seem like an exagerration of the syndrome, it still is a good representation of what the Asperger's syndrome is. In 2017, the TV show "Young Sheldon" came out, showcasing the life of this character as a child.

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Young Sheldon: First Day of High School (Season 1 Episode 1 Clip) | TBS