Are adhd and autism related?

Yes: I have found that the underlying causes of adhd symptoms and autism symptoms are often the same. There is just a difference in how the symptoms manifest. In autism, they are more severe. I think the 2 disorders are on a continuum.

No: Autism is an illness that involves difficulties in relating socially to other people. It has been shown to affect different areas of the brain. Adhd is an illness that involves problems with paying and maintaining attention as well as staying calm and having fidgetiness in general. People with autism often (but not always) have symptoms of adhd, but most people with adhd have good social skills.

Not at all: Autism spectrum children (pdd) are devastatingly effected by their neurotrauma. Adhd kids have a deficiency in executive brain function, but treated are exceedingly successful and well adjusted people. Pdd kids do not have the cortical capacity to process many types of linguistic or social inputs. Adhd kids can be socially awkward, but PDD kids are social outliers. The two are incomparable.

Maybe: Recent genetic studies have shown that people with both adhd and autism may have an abnormality on the same chromosome. The causes of both conditions are poorly understood and more research is needed before we know for sure.

40-70% of folks with: Autistic Spectrum Disorder also have ADHD. Signs of adhd = inattention, hyperactivity & impulsivity. Signs of ASD= impairments in social communication & reciprocal social interaction + stereotypies or narrow, restricted areas of interest, so they are different but can co-exist. Seek evaluation from a developmental/behavioral pediatrician, child psychiatrist, neuropsychologist & school district.

They may be: The way to understand is to realize that while most children with ADHD will never be diagnosed with Autism or ASD but most ASD patients would have ADHD symptoms.

Unknown: but unlikely since not all autistic people have ADHD and in fact some may have extraordinary ability to focus on subjects they are good at and most ADHD patients don't have autism. The cause for either is unknown.