A child who struggles to sit still, cope with change, follow conversations or manage big emotions may leave parents wondering what lies beneath the behaviour. ADHD and autism are different neurodevelopmental conditions, but some of their outward signs can look surprisingly similar. Understanding the pattern behind the behaviour is more helpful than trying to identify a child from a checklist. On this page Two neurodevelopmental profiles Where ADHD and autism look similar Clues that may distinguish them Can a child have both? What an assessment involves Support for children Two different neurodevelopmental profiles What is ADHD? ADHD primarily affects the regulation of attention, activity and impulses. A child may have an inattentive presentation, a hyperactive-impulsive presentation or a combination of both. Symptoms begin during childhood, occur in more than one setting and interfere with everyday functioning before they support an ADHD diagnosis. What is a...