In recent years, the conversation around neurodevelopmental conditions in India has shifted significantly. Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals are becoming more aware of the nuances of child development. However, with awareness comes an influx of information that can be overwhelming. If you are a parent observing behavioral changes in your child, you might be asking questions like, "What is the difference between autism and adhd?" or "Is there a test on the autism spectrum available?"

At SpeechGears India, we understand that navigating this journey can feel isolating. Our mission is to bridge the gap between diagnosis and daily living by providing professional speech therapy tools, sensory resources, and evidence-based information. This comprehensive guide serves as a roadmap. We will explore the root causes, the diagnostic process, the overlap between conditions, and practical solutions like sensory toys for autism to help your child thrive.

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder     (ASD) is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges in social interaction, speech, and nonverbal communication, as well as restricted/repetitive behaviors. The effects of ASD and the severity of symptoms are different in each person.

Recognizing the Signs on Autism

Early intervention is critical, and it starts with observation. While every child develops at their own pace, there are specific signs of autism that often appear in the first two to three years of life.

1. Social Communication Challenges:

• Lack of Eye Contact: The child may not look at you when being spoken to or may look right through you.
• Delayed Speech: A significant delay in talking or a regression where a child stops using words they previously knew.
• Difficulty with Social Cues: Trouble understanding facial expressions, tone of voice, or sarcasm.

2. Repetitive Behaviors (Stimming):

• Hand flapping, rocking back and forth, or spinning in circles.
• Repeating words or phrases (Echolalia) without intent to communicate.
• Intense attachment to objects that are not toys (e.g., keys, light switches).
  

3. Sensory Processing Issues:

• Over-sensitivity (hypersensitivity) to loud noises, bright lights, or certain fabric textures.
• Under-sensitivity (hyposensitivity), leading to a need for intense physical pressure or crashing into things.

How to Check for Autism at Home?

Parents often ask how to check for autism before visiting a doctor. While you cannot formally diagnose your child at home, you can use screening tools to organize your observations.

• M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers): This is a series of questions about your child’s behavior. It helps identify if your child is at risk.
• Video Logging: Record instances where your child avoids eye contact or engages in repetitive behaviors. This is incredibly helpful for doctors during evaluations.
  

The Diagnostic Journey

If you suspect your child is on the spectrum, the next step is professional evaluation.

Is There a Medical Test on Autism Spectrum?

Unlike diabetes or anemia, there is no blood test or brain scan that can diagnose autism. A test on the autism spectrum is actually a behavioral evaluation conducted by specialists such as developmental pediatricians, child psychologists, or neurologists. The evaluation typically includes:

1. Developmental Screening: A short test to tell if children are learning basic skills when they should, or if they might have delays.
2. Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation: This may look at the child’s behavior and development and interview the parents. It may also include hearing and vision screening, genetic testing, neurological testing, and other medical testing.
3. ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule): This is considered the "gold standard" for assessing autism. It involves structured play and activities to observe social behavior and communication.

Finding Help: "Autism Near Me"

Once a diagnosis is made, or even suspected, the immediate reaction is to search for "autism near me" on Google. In India, resources are growing but can be scattered.

• Government Hospitals: Many district hospitals now have Early Intervention Centers (EIC).
• Private Therapy Centers: Look for centers that offer multidisciplinary approaches—Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy (OT), and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
• SpeechGears India: Regardless of where you live, SpeechGears brings the clinic to your home. If you cannot find a center nearby, our range of therapeutic tools ensures you can continue therapy at home under remote guidance.

Autism vs. ADHD – Understanding the Differences and Overlaps

One of the most common dilemmas for parents and even clinicians is distinguishing between Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Both are neurodevelopmental disorders, and they share many symptoms, but the root drivers of the behaviors are different.

The Difference Between Autism and ADHD

To understand the difference between autism and adhd, we must look at the primary struggles of the child:

• Attention vs. Social Connection:
  • ADHD: The child may struggle to pay attention because they are easily distracted by everything around them. However, they usually understand social cues and want to interact with peers, though they might be too impulsive to do so effectively.
  • Autism: The child may struggle to pay attention because they are hyper-focused on one specific interest. Their social disconnect stems from a difficulty in reading social situations, not just distractibility.
• Routine vs. Novelty:
  • Autism: Children often crave strict routines and get very upset if things change.
  • ADHD: Children often dislike routine and get bored easily, constantly seeking new stimulation.
• Communication:
  • Autism: Often involves delayed speech or literal interpretation of language.
    ADHD: Speech is usually developed typically, but the child may talk excessively, interrupt often, or have trouble staying on topic.

Autism with ADHD Symptoms (AuDHD)

Can a child have both? Yes. In fact, research suggests that 30-50% of people with autism also manifest ADHD. This is known as autism with adhd symptoms.

A child with both conditions might face a "double whammy": they might have the social communication deficits of autism combined with the poor impulse control of ADHD. This can make school environments particularly challenging.

Autism with Hyperactivity

It is important to note that you can have autism with hyperactivity without having ADHD.

In autism, hyperactivity is often a result of sensory dysregulation. A child might run, jump, or crash into sofas not because they are "hyperactive" in the ADHD sense, but because their body is craving "proprioceptive input" (information about where their body is in space). They are moving to organize their brain.

Distinguishing this is vital because the treatment differs. ADHD hyperactivity is often treated with medication or behavioral strategies. Autism with hyperactivity caused by sensory needs is best treated with sensory toys and Occupational Therapy.

Why Does This Happen?

Parents often carry guilt, wondering if they did something to cause these conditions. It is crucial to address why autism occurs. The exact cause of autism is still being researched, but the medical consensus is that it is biological and genetic, not psychological.

• Genetics: Most cases of autism have a genetic basis. If a sibling has autism, the chances are higher for the next child.
• Brain Structure: Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with ASD vs. neurotypical children.
• Environmental Factors: Certain factors during pregnancy, such as advanced parental age (both mother and father), maternal illness, or difficulties during birth that lead to oxygen deprivation, may slightly increase risk.
• Myth Buster: Autism is not caused by bad parenting, vaccines, or eating the wrong food. Understanding why autism occur helps shift the focus from blame to support.

How to Get Rid of Autism?

We must address this with honesty and empathy: You cannot "get rid" of autism. It is not a disease like a virus or bacteria; it is a way the brain is wired.

However, while there is no "cure," the symptoms that cause distress can be managed, and skills can be learned. The goal is not to remove autism but to empower the individual.

• Speech Therapy: Helps the child express their needs, reducing frustration.
• Occupational Therapy: Helps the child master daily tasks like buttoning a shirt or holding a pencil.
• Social Skills Training: Teaches the child how to interact with peers.

Instead of asking how to get rid of autism, the better question is: How can I support my child to live an independent and happy life?

Sensory Toys for Autism

For children with autism, the world can feel chaotic. Sounds are too loud, lights are too bright, and clothes feel scratchy. This is where SpeechGears India specializes. We provide sensory toys for autism that act as tools for regulation. Here is how different sensory tools help manage symptoms:

1. For Oral Sensory Seeking (Chewing/Biting)
Many children with autism chew on shirts, pencils, or fingers. This is a self-soothing mechanism.

• Solution: Chewy Tubes and Grabbers. These are safe, medical-grade silicone tools designed to be chewed on. They provide the jaw pressure the child craves, saving their teeth and clothes.

2. For Autism with Hyperactivity (Movement)
If a child cannot sit still, they likely need proprioceptive input.

• Solution: Weighted Vests or Lap Pads. The gentle weight provides "deep pressure therapy," which releases serotonin and calms the nervous system. It’s like a firm hug that helps the child focus.
• Therapy Balls: Sitting on a therapy ball instead of a chair allows for micro-movements that help the child stay alert without disrupting the class.

3. For Tactile and Fine Motor Issues

• Solution: Therapy Putty. Squeezing and manipulating putty helps build hand strength (essential for writing) while providing a calming tactile experience.

4. For Auditory Sensitivity

• Solution: Noise-Canceling Earmuffs. These reduce the volume of the chaotic world, allowing the child to participate in social events without a sensory meltdown.

At SpeechGears, we carefully curate these items to ensure they are durable, non-toxic, and effective for Indian families.

Conclusion

Navigating a diagnosis of Autism or ADHD is a marathon, not a sprint. Whether you are trying to spot the signs of autism, confused about the autism vs adhd, or looking for the best sensory toys for autism, knowledge is your strongest asset.

Your child views the world differently, and that difference can be beautiful. With the right support system, therapy, and tools from SpeechGears India, your child can overcome challenges and achieve their own version of success.

For high-quality speech therapy tools, autism resources, and sensory development toys, visit the SpeechGears India website today. We are here to support your journey.