Understanding Autism and ADHD in Children
Parents and teachers sometimes notice that a child experiences the world in ways that stand out — the way they think, learn, or connect with others may feel distinct from those around them. Sometimes, this points toward Autism, ADHD, or a combination of both. Because these neurological variations share many overlapping traits, it can be hard to tell them apart. Understanding what they have in common — and what makes each unique — can help us better support the children in our care.
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Shared Traits: Why Autism and ADHD Can Look Alike
Autism and ADHD are both neurological variations that shape how the brain processes information, attention, and social experiences. Many Autistic children and children with ADHD may:

• Find it hard to engage with tasks that don't feel meaningful or interesting, yet hyperfocus deeply on topics and activities they're passionate about
• Find transitions or changes in routine challenging
• Experience emotions intensely and need support with regulation
• Feel most settled with predictable routines, or benefit from reminders to stay on task
• Find social situations tiring or hard to navigate

Because of these similarities, it's not uncommon for parents and teachers to wonder whether a child might be Autistic, have ADHD, or both. Research shows that a significant number of Autistic children also meet the criteria for ADHD — and this combination is increasingly well recognised.

What Makes Each Unique: Distinct Strengths and Ways of Being
While both variations can shape attention and behaviour, they reflect different ways of experiencing and processing the world.

Autism is a neurological variation that shapes how a person communicates, processes sensory input, and moves through social spaces. Autistic children often thrive with routines, bring a sharp and focused attention to detail, and communicate in ways that are uniquely their own — whether verbal, nonverbal, or a blend of both.

ADHD is a neurological variation that shapes how a person regulates attention, energy, and impulse responses. Rather than a deficit, ADHD reflects a different relationship with focus — one that can bring intense curiosity, creativity, and the capacity to hyperfocus on areas of genuine interest. Some children with ADHD have a high-energy, dynamic relationship with the world — moving through ideas quickly, seeking stimulation, and bringing spontaneous enthusiasm to what they do. Others may appear calm on the outside while their attention drifts inward, finding it genuinely hard to anchor focus to tasks that don't feel engaging. Many children experience a blend of both. Across all presentations, planning, organisation, and time awareness can be areas where support makes a real difference — not because of a lack of effort or motivation, but because the ADHD brain is wired to approach these things in its own way.

Recognising these distinctions matters because the support that works beautifully for one child may not suit another. A structured visual schedule, for example, might help an Autistic child feel safe and grounded, while a child with ADHD may do better with more flexibility and variety built into their day.

When to Seek a Professional Assessment
If you're wondering whether a child's experiences align with Autism, ADHD, or both, a comprehensive assessment can offer clarity and a path forward. Psychologists and other health professionals can help identify each child's strengths, needs, and unique ways of engaging with the world — and use this to guide tailored, meaningful support.

With understanding, patience, and an environment that embraces who they are, every child can learn, grow, and flourish. Learn more about Hopscotch and Harmony Psychology assessments HERE

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Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of many neurodevelopmental conditions. A neurodevelopmental condition affects the development and functioning of the brain and nervous system. Examples of neurodevelopmental conditions include Autism, ADHD, specific learning disabilities (like dyslexia and dyscalculia) and may also include intellectual disabilities.

Autism is typically identified through a combination of behavioural observations and diagnostic assessments, observations of the individual to be able to see how it is that they interact with an assessor, their understanding of emotions, their relationships and their part in them, as well as whether they may be experiencing repetitive or sensory seeking behaviours or feelings. 

An Autism assessment is usually comprised of a couple of different parts:

Developmental Screening: Healthcare providers may conduct developmental screening tests to identify any delays in developmental milestones such as language, social interaction, and motor skills.

Diagnostic Assessments: If a child is suspected of being autistic, usually their paediatrician will refer the child to allied health professionals for  a diagnostic assessment. This assessments may include standardised tests (like the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule or ADOS, or a cognitive assessment - also known as an IQ test), as well as questionnaires, and observations of the child, usually in a clinic environment.

The allied health practitioners will then compare the information they have gathered and observed about the child and compare this information with the diagnostic criteria. In Australia the diagnostic criteria most commonly used is from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition - Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).

Family History and Medical Evaluation: The paediatrician and/or allied health assessors may also evaluate the child's family history and conduct a medical evaluation to better understand the child.

Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation: In some cases, a multidisciplinary evaluation may be necessary, involving a team of specialists from different fields such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behaviour analysis.

Hopscotch and Harmony undertakes assessments from something called a neurodiversity affirmative perspective. The neurodiversity diversity affirmation perspective views Autism as a natural variation in the human brain, rather than as a disorder or a disease. This perspective celebrates the diversity of human thinking styles and recognises that individuals with autism have unique strengths and abilities that should be valued and supported, rather than viewed as deficits that we should be aiming to cure.

Autistic individuals may have different communication styles, sensory sensitivities, and ways of processing information, and providing accommodations and support to help them thrive.

If you suspect your child may be Autistic, it’s best to first speak to your GP and then a paediatrician. Once you have a referral for an assessment, please reach out to use to make an inquiry about an assessment so that we can help you and your child better understand one another.