Wondering what the difference between autism and ADHD is? A whole lot! Dr Leo Hamilton from Kids Clinic @ Novena gives us the lowdown…
So, after homeschooling your child during the circuit breaker, not only have you developed a newfound respect for teachers, but you might also have noticed your kid struggling with certain learning challenges. While it could be caused by a difficulty in adapting to the new normal or routine, you might be worried that it could be something else. Here’s where behavioral expert, Dr Leo Hamilton of Kids Clinic @ Novena, comes in. Today, he shares the differences between autism and ADHD and how to spot the signs…
The differences between autism and ADHD
When can autism and ADHD be diagnosed?
Autism: Autism is a broad category, ranging from mild to severe issues. It can be diagnosed sometimes as early as age 1-2 years, but more often it is not noted until close to age 3, when speech and social milestones are falling further behind.
ADHD: ADHD is more limited, affecting attention and focus, most commonly showing up as problems in school. ADHD is rarely diagnosed until after age 6, mostly later in school as work gets more complex and grades suffer. It only appears as a child gets older and starts to miss milestones.
What are the signs parents need to look out for in Autism or ADHD?
Autism: In mild autism (what used to be called Asperger’s Syndrome), a child faces difficulties in expressing his/her feelings and thoughts. Sometimes he/she struggles to have eye contact and they rarely respond to social interactions.
ADHD: With ADHD, a child talks continuously and in social settings, does not notice how their words affect other people. They often interrupt others too.
Above all, recognising the problem is paramount. This is why regular visits to the paediatrician are important — every check discusses whether your child is hitting the right milestones and how well he or she is doing in school. For more on autism and ADHD, read here.
Meet Dr Leo Hamilton
Ask anyone in the Singapore expat community for a paediatrician and chances are, most would recommend Dr Leo in a heartbeat. Dr Leo has been in Singapore since 2011, caring for both expat and Singaporean children, from newborn to the teenage years. Beyond his background in Hematology/Oncology, he has an interest in asthma, behavioural issues (primarily ADHD), teen health, and modern management of routine childhood illnesses such as ear infections, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. To learn more about Dr Leo, click here.
This post is in partnership with SMG.