ADHD – ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a disorder defined by inattention, disorganization, and/or hyperactivity that affects functioning and development. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active. Although ADHD can’t be cured, it can be successfully managed and some symptoms may improve as the child ages.

Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorders): Autism is a developmental disability. Children with autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder or ASD, have social, communication and language problems. They also have restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, such as flipping objects, echolalia (the automatic repetition of vocalizations made by another person), or excessive smelling or touching of objects. Autism may be mild or severe. All children with autism don’t have the exact same problems. Children with autism may have the following social and communication skills and common behaviors:

  • Social Skills: Your child may have problems using social skills to connect with other people. He/she may seem to be in his/her own world. It may be hard for your child to:
    • share a common focus with another person about the same object or event, known as joint attention
    • play with others and share toys
    • understand feelings
    • make and keep friends
  • Communication Skills: Your child may have trouble with communication skills like understanding, talking with others, reading or writing. Sometimes, your child might lose words or other skills that they have used before. Your child may have problems:
    • understanding and using gestures, like pointing, waving, or showing objects to others
    • following directions
    • understanding and using words
    • having conversations
    • learning to read or write. Or your child may read early, but without understanding the meaning-called hyperlexia.
    • repeat words just heard or words heard days or weeks earlier-called      echolalia
    • talk with little expression or use a sing-song voice
    • use tantrums to tell you what he/she does or does not want
  • Common Behaviors: A child with autism may:
    • have trouble changing from one activity to the next
    • flap hands, rock, spin or stare
    • get upset by certain sounds
    • like only a few foods
    • have limited and unusual interests-for example, talk about only one topic or keep staring at one toy.