What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Many children go through restless phases — that's completely OK. People with ADHD show these traits in multiple settings, to the extent that they consistently affect development, education and family life.
ADHD is caused by structural and functional differences in the brain. Up to 90% of cases are estimated to be genetic, and around one in three people with ADHD have at least one parent with symptoms. Subtypes are predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive (sometimes called ADD), or combined — the most frequent diagnosis.
Hyperactivity & impulsiveness
- Unable to sit still, especially in quiet surroundings
- Constant fidgeting
- Excessive movement
- Excessive talking or noise
Inattentiveness
- Short attention span
- Easily distracted
- Careless mistakes
- Forgetful or losing things
- Difficulty with tedious tasks
- Difficulty following instructions
If you suspect ADHD in yourself or a loved one, contact us, or speak to your GP, health visitor, school nurse or SENCO. Peer support can be just as valuable as professional support — you will quickly learn that everybody was in the same position once.
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, behaviour and cognitive processing. It often becomes apparent by age two or three. Recognising early signs in toddlers matters for early support:
- Limited interest in social interaction
- Delayed speech or few gestures by 16 months
- Repetitive movements or play
- Difficulty with pretend play
- Intense focus on specific interests
- Strong reactions to sensory input
- Not pointing to share interest
- Distress at changes in routine
- Delayed motor skills
- Strong attachment to objects
All children develop at their own pace. If you notice several signs, we can help with a screening consultation. We assess using face-to-face consultation and standardised tools including ADI-R, ADOS-2 and ABAS-3.
Living with autism brings challenges, but autistic people often have unique strengths — exceptional attention to detail, strong memory and deep focus on specific subjects.
Where ADHD and ASD overlap
Attention & focus
ADHD brings distractibility; autistic people may focus intensely on interests but struggle outside them.
Impulsivity
Hasty actions in ADHD; in autism, abrupt behaviour may stem from social rules or rigid thinking.
Social interaction
Interrupting or distractibility in ADHD; interpreting cues and unwritten rules in autism.
Emotions & routines
Intense, fast-changing emotions in ADHD; strong reactions to disrupted routines in autism.
Sensory processing
Common in autism and increasingly recognised in ADHD — noise or fabrics can be intolerable.
Telling them apart
ADHD is primarily about attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity; autism is defined by differences in social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviours. Because each can resemble the other, careful specialist assessment matters.