22 Aug Autism and ADHD Differences Explained
Brooklyn Letters
1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn
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We would highly recommend Ally! Our son always asks about her, so very thankful to Brooklyn Letters for introducing us.
~ Emily, mom of Brooklyn 2 year old -
Nicole has been an amazing therapist!! She played a tremendous role in our daughter’s speech progress and overall development. She has come such a long way and we are so happy with the therapy she received!
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I cannot express how grateful and rewarding my experience with Brooklyn Letters has been. Her tutor Ms. Daria is so knowledgeable, amazing, kind and awesome. My daughter has made so much progress in Literacy and Math and it's all … More thanks to Ms. Daria. I know my daughter is sad that she can no longer work with Ms. Daria, as she looked forward to their sessions every week. Thank you again!
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Excellent services, caring therapists.
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Christina was absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to win my son over and it worked. He looked forward to her visits and his speech improved so much under her care. She was super flexible and it’s clear she truly cares. We adore … More Christina and we’re going to miss her. Almost sad he improved so much! She’s simply amazing and we can’t say enough how great she is. I would recommend her services to anyone and everyone, without hesitation. Thank you so much for connecting us with her!
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We could not be happier with the services Valerie provided! She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable and provided significant guidance to support our daughter's speech development outside of our scheduled sessions. She established … More a great working relationship with her, and she will definitely be missed! Your business model is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure working with Valerie. I've referred your organization and Valerie to the Executive Director of our daughter's school and friends/colleagues who are in need of speech therapy services.
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We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
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The company is great with outstanding customer service. They keep my horses protected. I have recommended them to other horses trainers as well that are going to get service early next year. Very professional an honest too. Respectfully … More submitted Christopher
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Ron and Ken did a fantastic job with our security system today. Installed everything very quick. Both of them were very polite and asked us throughout if the installation met our needs. Simply fantastic!
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I called Cornerstone Protection to get a Security system at a relatives out of state property, within a week it was installed! The installers worked with the client to help understand her new system and she was happy! Our relative said … More they were courteous, professional and patient! I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection for all of your security needs!
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Had blink cameras; Car was broken into multiple times so I called CornerStone & they were able to install multiple cameras very quickly & for a reasonable price. I am so happy with the app & getting alerts that are not superfluous, … More like they were with Blink. Highly recommend CornerStone & the tech Ronnie.
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Ron and Ken are great guys to work with.
Both were very knowledgeable and got our system back up and running.
Thanks to both for a job well done... -
Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
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Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
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One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
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I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
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Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
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I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
Kanu Patel -
We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
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Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
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My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
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I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
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Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
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Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
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Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!
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As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them. -
We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience.
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We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem.
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Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter.
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Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!!
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
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We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul.
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We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AUTISM AND ADHD:
A Guide by Park West Psychology
If you’re a person with any access to the Internet (or even someone without it), you’ve likely heard a lot about autism and ADHD lately. These conditions can share similar symptoms, making it difficult for professionals to tell them apart. Although there is no substitute for a thorough evaluation with an experienced psychologist, knowing some subtle differences between these two conditions can help you know where to get the right support for yourself or a loved one. Knowing the differences is key to getting the right diagnosis and treatment. This guide will help you understand how autism and ADHD differ, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations.
What Are Autism and ADHD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both conditions that typically appear in childhood and can affect a person’s ability to function in various areas of life, including social situations, school, and work.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Autism involves challenges with social communication and interaction, repetitive behaviors, or highly focused interests. People with autism may struggle to understand social cues, make eye contact, or engage in typical social activities. They might also prefer routine and struggle with changes, often focusing intensely on specific topics.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD is characterized by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD may have trouble focusing, be easily distracted, act without thinking, and appear overly active in situations where it seems inappropriate. Unlike autism, ADHD doesn’t usually involve significant issues with social communication, though it can affect social interactions due to inattentiveness or impulsive behaviors.
Shared Symptoms
Even though autism and ADHD have distinct features, they can share some similar symptoms, making it tricky to differentiate between the two. Some common overlapping symptoms include:
1. Trouble Paying Attention: Both individuals with autism and ADHD may have difficulty focusing, especially on uninteresting tasks
2. Hyperactivity: While hyperactivity is a hallmark of ADHD, some individuals with autism may also display high levels of physical activity.
3. Impulsivity: Impulsive behaviors, such as interrupting others or making quick decisions without considering the consequences, can occur in both conditions.
4. Sensory Sensitivities: Although more common in autism, individuals with ADHD may also experience heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, or textures.
Because of these shared symptoms, it’s important to look at other factors to accurately identify whether someone has autism, ADHD, or both.
Key Differences Between Autism and ADHD
To distinguish between autism and ADHD, consider the core characteristics that define each condition.
1. Social Communication: One of the most significant differences is social communication. People with autism often have noticeable difficulties understanding and participating in social interactions. They may have trouble interpreting nonverbal cues like body language or tone of voice and may find it challenging to develop age-appropriate relationships. In contrast, individuals with ADHD may struggle socially due to inattention or impulsivity, but they typically understand and engage in social interactions more easily than those with autism.
2. Repetitive Behaviors and Specific Interests: Autism is marked by repetitive behaviors and focused interests, such as repetitive movements, a strong preference for routines, or an intense focus on certain subjects. These behaviors are less common in ADHD, where the primary issues are attention and hyperactivity.
3. Executive Functioning: Both autism and ADHD involve challenges with executive functioning (skills like organizing, planning, and completing tasks), but the nature of these difficulties differs. ADHD is often associated with problems in organizing and completing tasks due to inattentiveness and impulsivity. In autism, difficulties with executive functioning may be tied to rigid thinking and discomfort with changes in routine.
4. Developmental Differences: Autism often includes developmental differences in communication, motor skills, and play that are noticeable from an early age. ADHD symptoms might not be as apparent until a child starts school, where the need for focus and self-control becomes more critical.
Why Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluations Are Important
At Park West Psychology in New York City, we stress the importance of comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations in differentiating between autism and ADHD. These evaluations involve detailed assessments of a person’s cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning, helping to identify their unique strengths and challenges.
What’s Involved in a Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluation
1. Clinical Interviews: We conduct thorough interviews with the individual and their family members to gather important information about their developmental history, current symptoms, and past diagnoses or treatments.
2. Behavioral Observations: Observing the individual in different settings, such as at home or school, provides valuable insights into how their symptoms affect their daily life.
3. Standardized Testing: We use standardized tests to assess cognitive abilities, such as attention, memory, language, and social understanding. These tests help us pinpoint specific areas of difficulty and determine whether they’re more related to autism or ADHD.
4. Collaboration with Other Professionals: We often collaborate with other healthcare providers, like speech therapists or occupational therapists, to get a complete picture of the individual’s needs.
5. Feedback and Recommendations: After the evaluation, we discuss the results and provide tailored recommendations for interventions, accommodations, and support services.
Personalized Interventions and Support
Once we have a clear diagnosis, we can create a personalized treatment plan to address the individual’s needs. At Park West Psychology, we offer evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which are effective for managing symptoms of both autism and ADHD.
For individuals with autism, our interventions may focus on improving social communication skills, reducing anxiety, and enhancing daily living skills. For those with ADHD, treatment might include strategies for improving attention, reducing impulsivity, and better-organizing tasks. In some cases, medication can also be part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Final Thoughts
Distinguishing between autism and ADHD is essential for ensuring that individuals receive the right support and treatment. At Park West Psychology, under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Clark, PhD, we are committed to providing high-quality autism and ADHD evaluations in New York City. Our comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations help us understand each individual’s unique needs, leading to more effective and personalized treatment plans.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms that might be related to autism or ADHD, we encourage you to contact Park West Psychology for a consultation. With our expertise and compassionate care, we’re here to support you on your journey to better understanding and managing these conditions.
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Craig Selinger
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