1. ADHD, ADD and Autism
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2. ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a group of behavioural symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age.
Most cases are diagnosed when children are 6 to 12 years old.
The symptoms of ADHD usually improve with age, but many adults who are diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems.
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but the condition has been shown to run in families. Research has also identified a number of possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD compared to those who don't have the condition.
For more information, visit disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx

3. Inattentiveness symptoms
The main signs of inattentiveness are:
having a short attention span and being easily distracted
making careless mistakes: for example, in schoolwork
appearing forgetful or losing things
being unable to stick at tasks that are tedious or time- consuming
appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
constantly changing activity or task
having difficulty organising tasks

4. Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:
being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
constantly fidgeting
being unable to concentrate on tasks
excessive physical movement
excessive talking
being unable to wait their turn
acting without thinking
interrupting conversations
little or no sense of danger

5. ADHD
These symptoms can cause significant problems in a child's life, such as underachievement at school, poor social interaction with other children and adults, and problems with discipline.
Watch video: ADHD Thought Triggers

6. Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder (or ADD) means a person shows enough symptoms of inattention but isn't hyperactive or impulsive.
ADD occurs when a person has symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity but not inattention. This is what is typically referred to when someone uses the term ADD rather than ADHD.
ADD is now used less frequently in terms of diagnosis.

7. Autism

8. What we understand by the term ‘autism’
Autism affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how people make sense of the world around them.
No one knows exactly what causes autism, but the core idea is that the brain of someone with autism functions differently, receiving and processing information in a different way. (Forrester-Jones, 2014)
Autism is a spectrum condition which means there are lots of different ways can affect an individual.

9. What we understand by the term autism
The level of support individuals may require can vary from constant to occasional.
Autism is a lifelong, developmental condition that affects the brain and its functions.
Autism not only affects the person but the people around them like their family, friends and carers.

10. Characteristics of autism
People with autism generally experience three main areas of difficulty:
social communication
social interaction
social imagination

11. 1. Social communication
Social communication is where people with autism have difficulties understanding:
facial expressions
tone of voice
common gestures
eye contact
body language
giving and receiving verbal and non-verbal communication

12. 2. Social interaction
Social interaction is where people with autism struggle with:
understanding their own and other people’s feelings and emotions
forming relationships and making friends
People can appear aloof, indifferent and withdrawn.

13. 3. Social imagination Social imagination is where people
with autism have difficulties
comprehending:
abstract concepts and ideas
people’s actions, emotions, behaviours and consequences
solutions to life outside of their routines

14. What it feels like to have autism
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15. National Autistic Society
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16. Using public transport
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17. Activity How did it feel to be person 1?
How did it feel have so much commotion going on?
Did it make you want to scream or get away?
Were you able to concentrate on the paragraph being read?
What might have helped?
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