What Screening Tools Distinguish Autism from ADHD?

PostedNovember 12, 2025

UpdatedNovember 12, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Beatrice Holloway, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

There are a range of autism ADHD screening tools designed to help clinicians tell the difference between the two conditions. While both are neurodevelopmental disorders with overlapping traits, the right assessment methods can highlight distinct patterns in attention, communication, social behaviour, and emotional regulation. These tools are used during a broader clinical evaluation process that often includes interviews, questionnaires, and observations.

Key diagnostic tools include the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), which focus on autism-specific traits like sensory sensitivities, social communication differences, and restricted interests. For ADHD, tools like the Conners Comprehensive Behaviour Rating Scales and the ADHD Rating Scale help identify impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity. Combining these assessments helps avoid misdiagnosis and ensures a more accurate understanding of each individual’s needs.

What the Tools Help Identify

Here are some traits these tools are designed to detect, highlighting the differences between autism and ADHD:

Social Communication Patterns

Autism assessments focus on non-verbal cues, eye contact, and understanding social rules: areas not typically evaluated in ADHD screening.

Attention Styles

ADHD tools target generalised inattention and distractibility, while autism assessments may reveal hyperfocus and difficulty shifting between tasks.

Response to Routine and Change

Autism tools often explore rigid routines and resistance to change, which are less central in ADHD evaluations.

Accurate use of autism ADHD screening tools ensures the right diagnosis and tailored support for individuals navigating complex symptoms.

Visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape,read our complete guide to misdiagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Beatrice Holloway, MSc

Author

Beatrice Holloway is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She specialises in CBT, psychological testing, and applied behaviour therapy, working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, and learning disabilities, as well as adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, and substance use disorders. Holloway creates personalised treatment plans to support emotional regulation, social skills, and academic progress in children, and delivers evidence-based therapy to improve mental health and well-being across all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.