ADHD and Autism: Can you tell the difference?

Autism and ADHD have many similar traits and features that have been confusing people for decades. Dr. Service helps you understand the differences, similarities, and how to tell the difference between the two.

[delilahhart]

I'm in my 40s. When I was in college back in the 90s, I had a roommate who was a psych minor. I remember her telling me that I was autistic, and I felt insulted! Back then, people didn't know as much about autism with low support needs as they do now, since it wasn't until 1994 that Asperger's syndrome was added to the DSM-IV. When I thought of autism, I immediately thought of Raymond Babbitt. When I was in my late 20s or early 30s, I was diagnosed with ADHD. It explained a lot, but not everything regarding my social and academic challenges. Over the years, Asperger's syndrome became better-known, and the more I heard about it, the more I suspected I had it. When I was 44, I was tested, and I received a second diagnosis of ADHD, plus a diagnosis of ASD 1, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and severe depression. I'm glad that I was tested, because the autism diagnosis completed the puzzle regarding my issues.

[natashaborland]

3:28 On the topic of eye contact - As someone with ADHD I find that not maintaining eye contact while someone is talking helps me pay attention. Even if I’m not actively stimming, kind of zoning out visually helps me to really grasp all the words and absorb them.

[peaceandhonesty]

I was diagnosed Autistic first at 50. Then ADHD at 52.
My life has been a life of shame and judgement.
I cannot tell you how many times I've been asked why do I ask such stupid questions and how comes I know so much and yet act dumb when I'm told something. It's been really awful.
ADHD meds have helped so much.

[SimoneEppler]

Ah, what a blessing - a neurodivergent clinician with a nuanced view. ❤ I wish I had that here in Switzerland. Greetings, a late diagnosed ADHDer with autistic traits (still researching it).

[dingusmcscrungophd]

As an autistic myself, I really don't like the "Different-ability not dis-ability" thing. Because I have a real disability that makes life hard for me and I would prefer to not have it. No, it doesn't give me any super powers, it does the opposite.

[deborahseaman]

I am 67 and it's only been a year or two since I learned that I am autistic, have ADHD, ADD,and CPTSD
Finding you, my dear doctor was a Godsend! Thank you!

[amefibrasil]

I sometimes think they overlap so much that it seems they are different presentations of the same issue, specially among highly functional individuals. And I’ve noticed I’m not alone.

[rainbowbloom]

The part where you said "ADHD is generally widely accepted" is funny to me bc in my country autism is recognized as a disability, whereas ADHD isnt. Apparently ADHD people are kids who are more of a "nuisance" than other kids and they eventually grow out of it

[markd]

I was bullied out of my clinical profession because of my reaction to being bullied. The bullies didn't like that I was ready to defend myself, but my quick temper made me
seem like I was the problem, when I was actually the quiet one, who just wanted to get my work done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I spent 10 years, at university ended up wit 2 postgrad qualifications (while working) and can honestly say there are few people who could match my encyclopedia like
knowledge and the depth of my clinical understanding.

But I was also slowish (always stayed back unpaid to complete my tasks) at my job, ADD and OCD made me very thorough, often finding things my colleagues missed, but I took longer to read things and document things.
If it could be done all verbally, I'd do it in a flash as medicine, pharmacy, physiology and pharmacology were my HYPER-interests.

But my inability to take bullying with good humour and my inability to be comfortable with cutting corners in an industry that is chronicle underfunded and understaffed meant that I was seen as a problem, not an example to learn from as the industry where I am, simply wants "Yes men" who will cut corners to make the stats and KPI's look good, and be easy to get along with, rather than pursue a gold standard for patient health outcomes..

This broke me and I am having an extremely difficult time trying to pull myself out of this so very dark and lonely pit I am in.

[ANNEMARGARET]

I received my ADHD diagnosis at the age of 56. (I’m 58 now ) It was interesting what he was saying about eye contact. I’ve never felt uncomfortable looking someone in the eye, however, until maybe 10 years ago, I always looked at someone’s mouth when they were talking… the reason being, I thought that’s where you were supposed to look… I mean, that’s where the sound comes out of, right?🤷🏻‍♀️ well, once I realize you’re supposed to look people in the eye, I make sure I do that now… I still find myself sometimes looking at their mouths, because I realize I have an easier time comprehending what they are saying if I’m looking at their mouths. (And it’s not a hearing issue because I have had my hearing checked.)
I really enjoyed this video… very interesting/ informative!

[Vapourwear]

When 90% of your life is coping strategies for ADHD that you didn't know you had for damn near 40 years:

The biggest struggle for me is people acting like my failures to cope are a moral failing on my part, and then applying tactics (typically strongly shame based) in an attempt to "motivate" me that result in me being LESS inclined to do the thing they want, thus "confirming" my "moral failing" and justifying further such tactics. Its a vicious cycle that has more than once resulted in my deciding to either actively kick that person out of my life, or ignore them out.

[nnylasoR]

I had to remove my glasses for a minute, and silly me thought I’d just carry on and read these comments without them.
*I TRIED.* I squinted, I moved my phone further and back again … nothing looked “right, ” and nothing I did made anything any clearer.
*And then I put my glasses back on.*
I SWEAR - I nearly cried thinking about how much realizing I’m Autistic is like viewing my life, my interactions, and the world through prescription lenses … total clarity, and totally without that shame that the “the blur” I lived with was somehow MY fault. ✊😭
**42yo F with ADHD, self-identifying as AspieDHD / AuDHD with a PDA profile and awaiting an ASD assessment on July 28 ✊❤️

[annemarliac]

I work in the sector of disability and inclusion and I must say, I love how you mentioned the social model of disability in a very approachable way. Currently waiting for my ADHD assessment. Thank you 🙏

[cjwardill]

I think theres still a lot misconceptions with ADHD only being about easily distracted and hyper all the time. I feel ASD gets way more awareness then ADHD. however there is still alot of ignorance with both.

[redrumcoke]

I'm loving the framework you're using regarding ASD, ADHD, and neurotypical minds and how there is more a difference in the operating system, vs a disorder.

Although, as someone with ADHD, I can say that, due to a severe lack of working memory, to hold multiple objectives in mind, where each is related to completion, and what tasks remain for each, is very difficult.

[feelingcrafty]

My oldest child has ADHD, and I definitely notice traits of ASD. The struggle in communication and establishing relationships with peers has been a constant throughout their life. It's been a tough road.

[waterkitten]

I love the operating system metaphor, I think about it this way too. And it makes me feel better about myself as a person who operates differently than the average or norm. Though the sad truth I've realized through my lifetime, is that this world has very few spaces built for my operating system. So it seems to be left up to me to try and alter my own code to fit in with other computers. Just a thought I felt like sharing

[myhoose]

I'm 51 and have just been placed on the NHS waiting list for an Autism diagnosis, having lived this way for so long and accepting the idea that i'm just weird only to find out there is a reason i always feel weird was quite a shock so thankyou for making these videos and basically teaching me about myself because the more i'm learning about autism (yes it has become a special interest of mine now) is making me realise i am very possibly autistic and always have been and i'm 100% certain my diagnosis will confirm it.

[Thomas-pqys]

I'm 73, really had a hard time as a kid in the 60's, before ADHD was recognized... I scored well in intelligence tests, and was expected to excel in school. I didn't, was labeled an "underachiever." Parents, teachers, admin, constantly shamed me, called me lazy.

Needless to say, I've self-esteem issues. Couple that with being empathic, and I was the subject of many narcissists... including those in my family, all of who are dead now. I feel no grief.

I only found out about this narcissistic abuse shortly before my siblig passed...

I could go on and on about the abuse and where I'm at... needless to say, I'm quite troubled...

I suspect I'm on the autistic scale... have checked a lot of boxes... will see.

[danibeasley]

I relate with the empathy so hard. I feel im very empathic, my kids make fun of how much I cry for movies/TV, but im not very sympathetic. I can't understand being sad over trivial things (IMO) but I dont judge. Loss, and happiness I can relate too, but im not very emotional in my own life. Its hard to explain.