Developmental Disorders: ADHD vs ASD

Have you noticed that your child is acting unexpectedly? Maybe they don’t have a lot of interest in playing or have difficulty grasping social rules that seem obvious to their peers. You may have even noticed some erratic movements, and an inability to stay still. Some of these behaviors on their own may be nothing to worry about, but if they begin to affect your child’s lifestyle, you may need to question whether they have a developmental disorder. The symptoms listed above are common to two of the most common childhood developmental disorders — Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). But how can you tell which, if any, affect your child? What experiences tie the two together? Is medication a good option for ADHD? What about Stem Cell Therapy for Autism? Let’s compare the two and find out.

 

What is ASD?

ASD is a spectrum of cognitive disorders related to brain development that affect how a person perceives and understands the world around them. People with ASD may exhibit abnormal social interaction, communication, and behavior. The condition begins in early childhood, as young as six months, during which you may notice developmental red flags such as lack of eye contact, no babbling or ‘baby talk’, not responding to their name, lack of smiles or warm expressions, lack of communicative gestures, lack of interest or enjoyment in social interaction, etc.

 

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a chronic condition that develops in childhood and continues to affect people into their adulthood. It manifests as patterns of hyperactivity and inattention and was long thought to be more prevalent in boys than girls. However recent research shows that ADHD presents differently across the two genders — boys tend to show more patterns of hyperactivity, which can be easier to spot, while girls tend to show more symptoms of inattention. Since the symptoms of ADHD are more extreme cases of normal childhood behavior, it’s often difficult to spot. For people who are not aware of the condition, a child with ADHD may be pinpointed as a trouble-maker or a ‘problem’ child. 

 

Let’s look at them side by side:

 

	ASD	ADHD
Causes	No single underlying cause — though there is some link to inflammation in the brain Possible genetic component Possible, but unconfirmed, environmental causes   Note: There is no link between vaccines and Autism Spectrum Disorder	Largely unknown, though there seems to be both a genetic and environmental link Having a blood relative with the condition Maternal smoking or drinking during pregnancy Environmental factors in childhood — exposure to lead for example Premature birth
Symptoms	Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression Fails to respond to or appears not to hear their name when called Communication issues — can’t start or maintain a conversation, speaks with an abnormal rhythm, repeats words or phrases verbatim, doesn’t seem to understand simple questions or directions, difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues, doesn’t point at objects or share interests, etc. Patterns of behavior such as repetitive movements like rocking, spinning, or hand flapping, harmful activities such as biting or headbutting, specific routines or rituals, fascination in details of objects but not the overall purpose, fixation on an object or activity with an abnormal focus Specific food preferences based on sensory feel Sensitivity to light and sound Problems with coordination or has odd movement patterns, such as clumsiness or walking on toes, and has odd, stiff, or exaggerated body language	Fails to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes in school work Has trouble staying focused in class or at play Appears not to be listening even when spoken to directly Has trouble organizing tasks and activities Dislikes or avoids tasks that require mental focus (ie homework) Is easily distracted Loses things required for activities, such as toys or school supplies Forgets to do activities like chores Fidgets — taps hands, squirms in seat, etc Finds it difficult to stay seated in the classroom or similar situations Is constantly in motion Runs around and climbs in situations that aren’t appropriate Finds it difficult to play or do activities quietly Talks too much Blurts out answers, sometimes even interrupting the questioner Has difficulty waiting their turn Intrudes or interrupts others’ games or conversations
Treatments	Behavioral and communication therapy Education therapy Family Therapy Speech and Language Therapy Occupational Therapy Stem Cell Therapy Medication to control some physical or psychological symptoms	Behavioral therapy  Social skills training  Family therapy Stem Cell Therapy

 

When you put them side by side you can see some similarities in symptoms, particularly in terms of developmental timeline and behavior in social situations. There’s also some similarity in the way the two conditions are treated. There’s even a level of comorbidity between the two. However, it is just as easy to see the clear differences. For example, many patterns of hyperactivity are unique to children with ADHD, and environmental sensitivity is found more commonly in children with ASD. 

 

Stem Cell Therapy for Autism

One major difference in the treatment of ASD versus ADHD is the use of Stem Cell Therapy for Autism. While it is a viable treatment for both, right now it is used more often for ASD. Stem Cells are cells that have no assigned role — they can mature into blood cells, muscle cells, and even brain cells, whatever the body needs at the time. These cells can be safely extracted from a person’s bone marrow, processed, and then injected into the area that needs healing. They detoxify the surrounding area and can replace damaged cells to reduce inflammation. When applied to neurons, this means that it can promise significant improvement in people who suffer from inflammation in the brain — which is thought to be one of the major causes of Autism. The viability of this treatment has many patients adding Stem Cell Therapy for Autism to their treatment plans.

 

Though the two conditions have many differences if you know where to look, the clearest similarities between the two can be found when you look at how these children experience the world, and in turn how the world sees them. Some common experiences like hyperfocus and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria force them to interact with the world in a certain way. However, these symptoms also affect how children interact in social situations, and can lead to them being judged harshly by people who aren’t aware of their diagnosis. These children process the world around them in a unique way, though it may be hard for other people to see this. The challenge lies in communicating their experiences with the world and learning to navigate the rules of society. But the future is bright. Whether it’s behavioral therapy for ADHD or Stem Cell Therapy for Autism, with the right treatment plan these children can manage their symptoms and live life to the fullest!