Today we’re talking about something that can be really confusing for parents: what it looks like when a child has both ADHD and autism.

A lot of families notice that something is going on, but it’s not just one thing. Maybe their child is constantly in motion, struggles with focus, has big emotional reactions, or seems overwhelmed by things other kids handle more easily. Maybe social situations are hard, routines are hard, school is hard — but not in a way that’s easy to explain.

And for many parents, that leads to a lot of second-guessing: Is this ADHD? Is it autism? Is it anxiety? Is this just a phase? Am I overthinking it?

So today, I’m joined by CHC expert, Melanie Hsu, PhD to help us better understand what happens when ADHD and autism overlap, how that can show up in everyday life, and what parents need to know if they’re trying to make sense of their child’s behavior and needs.