Approximately 50-70% of persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) also have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) according to the scientific literature meta-analyses. In addition, up to 84% of people with autism have some form of anxiety and as much as 17% specifically may have OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder. As a mental health specialist who works with children, teens, and adults with autism, anxiety, and ADHD I have also noticed significant overall. During my involvement with a group of parents seeking support for their children with autism, one thing that I found fascinating is that EVERY parent in the room had a child who also was diagnosed with ADHD and an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. This was a “common trio” in addition to other concerns that were unique to each family such as specific developmental delays and behavioral or learning challenges. Children with autism and ADHD often have additional mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, developmental delay or intellectual impairment, speech, or language disorders, and/or learning disabilities. These overlaps can complicate the diagnostic process depending on the scope of practice of the specialist seen. For example, comprehensive testing may be recommended after an initial diagnostic evaluation for mental health and behavioral difficulties to specifically confirm a diagnosis such as Autism and ADHD. Since these are neurodevelopmental, it is important to have data from multiple settings and specific diagnostic tools including ones that focus on attention, memory, learning, and social communication to help inform diagnosis and recommendations. Researchers have found that autism and ADHD both have significant symptom overlaps. One of the findings is that there were increased difficulties with behavioral self-regulation for children with both autism and ADHD than for children with a primary diagnosis of autism or ADHD alone. While studies have found that children with ASD and ADHD have different behavioral and neuro-cognitive profiles, there are some similarities. For example, children with ADHD commonly struggle with behavioral self-regulation, impulsivity, and hyperactivity as primary diagnostic features. For children with autism, behaviors are related to social communication and “quirky” or “odd” behavior but also display self-regulation difficulties. Also, both groups struggle with executive functioning such as planning and attention, which have some variation in how these present. Since there is an overlap of some of the symptoms of autism, anxiety, and ADHD, it can be challenging to know where to start and what to address. Many times, this includes a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who can help meet the unique needs and impairment levels at various stages of development from childhood to adulthood. Here are 5 strategies that can be a starting point for diagnosis and treatment interventions:
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/autism-anxiety-and-adhd-overlap-5-strategies-to-address-a-trio-of-concerns/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/autism-anxiety-and-adhd-overlap-5-strategies-to-address-a-trio-of-concerns
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AuthorHello its me Lisa Johnson i am 32 years old from Mission, TX. I am professional family therapist and i also deals in adult therapy and children’s therapy. Archives
April 2023
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