ADHD or Autism? How to Tell the Difference in Real Life

ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder are frequently conflated. Both can involve social misunderstandings, executive functioning challenges, and intense emotions. But at their cores, they reflect different patterns of brain wiring and often need different kinds of support and accommodations. In this video, Steph Stolzenbach, LCSW, walks through real-life scenarios—like last-minute plan changes, a noisy restaurant, or a partner forgetting an important task—to show how ADHD and autism can look similar on the surface but stem from different needs. You’ll learn how each can affect attention, sensory processing, social communication, emotional regulation, and routines—and what forms of care can help (e.g., ADHD medication and skills coaching; autism-affirming supports like sensory accommodations, OT, and social communication work).