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ADHD or Autism? Key Common Symptoms and How to Tell The Difference
As neurodivergent experiences continue to emerge, labels become even harder to define
Today is World Autism Awareness Day, a day I would have normally not related to. However, as more neurodivergent people have become open and honest about their experiences, the blurred lines of labels and definitions have also become more confusing, both in how I identify and in how I interact with those around me.
My opinion, as an unmedicated ADHDer in the process of diagnosis, is that labels can help us find solutions that work best for our needs, and find communities who relate to our experiences. A common trait of neurodivergent people is the feeling of isolation, of something being slightly off about us, but not knowing what or why, and thinking we are alone in feeling this way.
I’ve always known autism is a spectrum, as is ADHD and any other neurodevelopmental condition. No two neurodivergent people are the same, just as no two neurotypical people are the same. But many traits and experiences can overlap. So, for those who are just discovering or coming to terms with their brain function, how can we tell which is which?
