(HS Shkadron 065658 2025) ADHD and Autism: Developmental Trajectories & Diagnostic Nuances

Course overview

ADHD and Autism don't follow a single path---and your role in identifying and supporting neurodivergent clients starts long before a formal diagnosis is made. This session explores how neurodevelopmental differences emerge across age, gender, and environment, giving you the insight and tools to distinguish between behaviors that stem from ADHD, Autism, or both. You'll learn how to decode diagnostic overlap, recognize masking, and navigate the complexity of co-occurring conditions like anxiety, trauma, and sensory processing challenges. Emphasis is placed on what these nuances look like functionally in day-to-day life: how they influence regulation, participation, and performance in therapy, school, and home routines. As a rehab professional--especially in early intervention, school-based, or outpatient care--you'll walk away with practical strategies for gathering history, partnering with families, contributing to interdisciplinary teams, and documenting clinical observations that can guide appropriate referrals and goal planning. Special attention is given to younger children, girls and high-masking clients, and how cultural norms can shape the diagnostic process.