Want to understand overlapping SEN profiles?
We discuss ADHD, autism, and anxiety in children. Learn about overlapping traits, co-occurrence, and how to best support your child’s individual needs.
For many parents, understanding a child’s diagnosis of ADHD, autism, or anxiety can be difficult. When these conditions happen together, they often create a mix of behaviours and challenges that are hard to untangle. This can make families feel confused about how to find help. While labels can be useful, they do not always capture who a child truly is. Every child has their own strengths, needs, and struggles. It is important to look past just the diagnosis to give the best support.
Imagine a boy named Jamie who cannot always focus in class. Some days, he cannot sit still. Other days, he gets quiet and shuts down. His parents have heard different diagnoses like ADHD, autism, and anxiety, but none seem to fully explain why he acts the way he does. This leaves them unsure of how to help him most.
ADHD, autism, and anxiety can have similar signs. For example, meltdowns might be due to sensory overload from autism or because of high stress from anxiety. Fidgeting is often linked to ADHD, but can also help a child manage their senses. Withdrawing from others might be caused by anxiety or be a way for an autistic child to get a break from the noise.
These overlapping signs can make the diagnosis confusing. Instead of focusing only on the label, it is better to look at how these traits affect each child in their daily life. This can help parents and teachers respond in ways that work best for the child.
| Condition | Common Traits | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| ADHD | Trouble sitting still, acting without thinking, losing focus. | A child might interrupt often, have trouble sitting through lessons, or lose track quickly. |
| Autism | Repeating actions, sensitive to noise, social struggles. | A child might play alone, focus on one topic, or feel overwhelmed in busy settings. |
| Anxiety | Worries a lot, avoids situations, physical complaints. | A child might be afraid of groups, avoid activities, or feel sick before school. |
Children with ADHD, autism, and anxiety can show similar behaviours. For example, hyperactivity with ADHD may look like sensory seeking in autism or restlessness from anxiety. Avoiding social situations can come from anxiety or autism as a way to manage stress. That is why it is important to look at how a child acts in different settings and over time.
More research shows that ADHD, autism, and anxiety can exist together in the same child. Until 2013, professionals did not diagnose both ADHD and autism in one person. This has now changed, and it is common for children to have more than one diagnosis.
Studies show that about 15–25% of children with ADHD also meet criteria for autism, while 50–70% of people with autism also have ADHD. Another study tracked patterns of ADHD and autism from childhood to adulthood and found clear links. Roughly 30–50% of autistic children also receive a formal ADHD diagnosis. About 21–28% of children with ADHD demonstrate sufficient ASC traits to possibly meet diagnostic criteria for autism.
In 2017, the United Kingdom ADHD Partnership (UKAP) agreed that ADHD and autism should be checked and treated together. Children with both often have more complex needs. Professionals understand that they may need different kinds of support.
Anxiety is common in children who have ADHD or autism.
Research finds that about 40% of autistic children and teens have at least one anxiety disorder. Half of all autistic people may have anxiety that affects their daily lives. The most common types are specific phobias (29.8%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (17.4%), and social anxiety (16.6%).
A 2022 study showed that about half the people with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. Children with ADHD are more than twice as likely to have anxiety as those without ADHD. If a child with ADHD has two or more types of anxiety, they tend to have bigger challenges with behaviour, daily tasks, and their quality of life.
UK healthcare professionals now know how complicated overlapping conditions can be. NHS England says these conditions often overlap and may be linked by genetics. Even so, they are usually handled in separate ways. The Royal College of General Practitioners says it is important to check for related mental health needs as well.
In some parts of the UK, new ways have been created to diagnose more than one condition at a time.
Children with more than one neurodevelopmental condition often have extra challenges.
Children with both ADHD and autism may have worse symptoms in all areas. Research shows 70% of children with autism have at least one other diagnosis, and 41% have two or more. Children with both ADHD and autism may need more support because their challenges can be greater.
This can make it harder to get a diagnosis or treatment. The best way to help is to notice and respond to all the needs a child has, not just one.
More than a million children in England have special educational needs. Research says up to 40% of students are seen as having SEN at least once during school. About 3–4% of children in England have some kind of neurodevelopmental disorder, like ADHD or learning difficulties.
Knowing about overlapping conditions makes getting the right assessment very important. NICE says that anyone tested for autism should also be checked for mental and physical health issues. Now, professionals can diagnose both ADHD and autism in the same child.
Children can have needs in several areas at once, like speaking, learning, social skills, or physical needs. Good support means:
Sometimes, a child’s anxiety comes from having special educational needs that are not noticed or supported. Children may try to hide their behaviours to fit in – a process called “masking.” This can be exhausting and lead to ongoing anxiety or even burnout.
Some children “shut down,” stopping talking or responding when stressed. Others refuse to go to school because the stress from their needs feels unbearable. These are signs of high stress, not bad behaviour.
That’s why it is so important to spot and support special needs early to help children cope and thrive.
Girls and introverted children often work hard to hide their challenges. They may copy others, stay quiet, and try to fit in to avoid standing out. This makes it hard for adults to see their true struggles, leading to later or missed diagnoses.
Boys are more often diagnosed early because their behaviours stand out more. Girls may pretend to be fine, but feel stressed or anxious inside. Many early studies on autism and ADHD only looked at boys, so the signs in girls are often missed. This gap means girls and quiet children don’t always get the support they need as soon as they should.
To help, we must be aware of masking and adjust how we look for and support these children.
Working with your child’s school or their SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) can help get better support. Here are some tips:
Being prepared and working together makes it more likely that your child will get the right support.
Getting a good diagnosis can be hard, but some professionals can help you understand your child’s needs:
Educational psychologists look at how your child learns and behaves in school. They test memory, thinking, and learning skills. Share your worries and examples of learning or behaviour problems.
SLTs help children who find it hard to speak or understand others. Their help can also benefit children with autism. Bring examples of when your child has struggled to communicate.
Getting professional support can help both parents and children live happier, less stressful lives. Parents can learn how to manage their stress, talk better as a family, and handle difficult moments. Children can feel more confident, learn new ways to communicate, and reach their goals with the right help. Early and ongoing support helps families build strong habits and a positive home life.
If your child has special educational needs and needs help with behaviour, Bright Heart can support you. We work to understand your child’s needs and connect you with a tutor who can guide their learning and growth. Reach out to explore how we can help your child thrive. Our Educational Consultants work with families to build learning plans suited for every student.
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