Q: Do My Child’s Poor Social Skills Suggest Autism?
The social skills challenges associated with autism are oftentimes unique and differentiated from those seen with ADHD, nonverbal learning disorder, and other conditions. Here, learn about the social challenges most common among children with autism spectrum disorder, and why clinicians often mistake them for something else.
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR RYAN WEXELBLATT?
Ask your question about ADHD in boys here!
Q: “You talk a lot about social skills in kids with ADHD. How do I know if the social skill issues we have are ADHD related or something more… like autism spectrum disorder? And, do ADHD medications help with social skills?”
A: “When somebody has difficulty with social skills, they have what I call social learning challenges. What that means is they don’t learn social information intuitively from a young age. People with different diagnostic profiles have social learning challenges; that could be people with ADHD, people with Asperger’s and autism, people with nonverbal learning disability, people with attachment issues, etc. In my experience, people with autism have more severe challenges in the following areas…”
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW FOR THE FULL ANSWER
Autism and Social Skills: Next Steps
1. Watch This Free Webinar: A Parents’ Guide to Social Skills Strategies for Children with ADHD or Autism (or Both)
2. Take This Test: Is My Child Autistic?
3. Read This: Is My Child with ADHD on the Autism Spectrum?
Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW is the facilitator of the ADHD Dude Facebook Group and YouTube channel.
