Disorders on the spectrum can be mild or severe and include dyslexia, Asperger’s, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -ADHD, sensory integration disorder, Tourette’s, obsessive compulsive disorder -OCD and autism. 

Children diagnosed with ASD have typically harder time processing information through the senses. While some children may be undersensitive to touch, sound or taste, others can be hypersensitive to it. For example, one child with ASD may seek more sensation, such as constant movement, pressure or loud noises, while another child with ASD may be overstimulated by the scratchy feel of jumper, cover the ears when exposed to a loud sound, and have an aversion to certain foods. Some children show a combination of these contrasting characteristics. 

A 2014 review of studies looking at comorbidity found that between 30 to 50 percent of individuals with ASD manifest ADHD symptoms (particularly at pre-school), and similarly estimates suggest two-thirds of individuals with ADHD show features of ASD. Children with this comorbidity often have more severe levels of dysfunction. 

Here are few common symptoms between ADHD and ASD: difficulties with attention, difficulties communicating with peers, impulsivity, cause significant behavioural, emotional and adaptive problems in school, at home and elsewhere. 

ADHD is defined by impaired functioning in the areas of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, whereas ASD is characterized by core social dysfunction and restrictive- repetitive behaviours. 

These ASD traits include behaviours such as: unresponsiveness to common stimuli, intense focus and concentration on a single item, repetitive movement, avoiding eye contact, withdrawn behaviours.

Children and adults diagnosed with ASD have delays or abnormal functioning in the following ares: 

Social interaction/ impaired social ability: unusual nonverbal behaviour such as lack of eye contact, facial expression, gestures. Failure to develop peer relationship, difficulties sharing with others. Lack of social or emotional response. Difficulty in recognising and understanding another person’s feelings or perspective.

Language and social communication:

Delayed or lack of development of spoken language,. Difficulty in sustaining or initiating conversation. Repetitive use of language, words and phrases. Lack of varied or spontaneous play. Flat or high-pitched speech. Narrow bands of passionate interests or obsessions. Difficulty in comprehension. Preference for activities that require little verbal interaction. 

Behaviours, sensory or motor functions:

Restricted, repetitive, ritualised and stereotyped patterns of behaviour and activity. Awkwardness or delayed development of fine and gross motor skills. Hyper- or hypo- sensitivity to pain, light, sound, crowds, and other external stimuli. Inflexible behaviour and difficulty in coping with change.

Physical development delays:

Rolling over, sitting up , crawling, or walking much later. Child has trouble getting up. Child doesn’t seem to grow the way he should. Child seems very stiff and tight in the way he moves. Child is weak and limp like a ragdoll. Child seems to get tired quickly. Child isn’t keeping up with children of the same age when they play together.