ADHD vs Autism: How to Tell the Difference
From Magnificent Minds: Demystifying Autism with Dr. Suzanne Goh, MD, BCBA by Suzanne Goh
February 9, 2026 · 26 min · Season 1 · Episode 8
About this episode
This episode explores the differences between ADHD and autism, helping parents understand their child's behavior and brain function.
In this episode, I'm taking you inside one of the most confusing questions parents face: Is it ADHD, autism, or something in between? I walk you through the brain science that explains why they look so similar (both involve the same brain networks and neurochemistry, which is why 50% of autistic children also have ADHD), and more importantly, how to recognize what you're actually seeing in your child. We break down attention differences, social interaction, and behavior patterns, and I share the framework that makes it make sense: ADHD is primarily about regulation and control, while autism is about connection and interpretation. This episode is for you if: you're trying to make sense of conflicting information, you've been told "it's ADHD" but something doesn't fit, you suspect your child might have both, or you need someone to explain what's happening in your child's brain without medical jargon. Throughout, I want you to remember: diagnosis is a doorway to understanding how your child's brain works so you can support them better.
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Suzanne Goh
Topics covered
- ADHD
- autism
- child development
- parenting
- diagnosis
- brain science
Keywords
- ADHD
- autism
- diagnosis
- brain science
- child behavior
- parenting
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ADHD, autism, neurochemistry, brain science
More episodes of Magnificent Minds: Demystifying Autism with Dr. Suzanne Goh, MD, BCBA
- A Caregivers Guide to Sensory Processing and Autism: Understanding How your Child Sees the World with Christine Adintori · June 8, 2026 · 33 min
- Autism and Language: What Every Parent Needs to Know with Laura Bierck, SLP-BCBA · May 25, 2026 · 33 min
- Mental Health in Autism: Supporting the Whole Family · May 11, 2026 · 26 min
- Medical Testing for Children with Autism · April 27, 2026 · 26 min
- Autism Is Not One Thing: Subtypes and How to Determine Your Child's Subtype · April 13, 2026 · 20 min
- Preparing Your Autistic Child for Adulthood with Dr. Haley Masterson and Meaghan O'Dea Johnson · March 30, 2026 · 27 min
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