11/11/2022
Image: A Venn diagram with three overlapping circles.
One circle represents traits of ADHD (blue), one circle represents Autism (yellow), and one circle represents Giftedness (red). The overlapping areas represent the traits that are shared between two neurotypes and three neurotypes.
Traits of Autism only (yellow area):
"Needing routine, order, and/or clear expectations (especially when under stress);
Motor skills impacted; Soothed/stimulated through repetitive behaviors, movements, sounds, and thoughts (“Stims”);
Preference for interpersonal connection through interests; Tendency to hyperfocus on a few interests for an extended period of time;
Pattern recognition;
Preference for direct communication;
Tendency toward
concrete thinking/difficulty with abstract thinking;
Differences in
verbal and non-verbal communication and interactions;
Alexithymia (difficulty identifying and naming feelings);
Hyper and/or hypo-awareness of sensory information"
Traits of ADHD only (blue area):
"Difficulty with transitions due to challenges with switching focus, Social interactions affected by impulse control and focus differences, Working memory impacted, Craving novelty, Differences in regulating attention (hyper-focus when interested and difficulty focusing when not interested), Tendency to hyper-focus on a wide range of interests, Needing movement or fidgeting/stimming to aid in focus, Ability to respond quickly in crisis situations/emergencies"
Traits of Giftedness only (red area):
"Tendency toward abstract thinking, Rapid comprehension and/or “skip” thinking, Wide range of interests, Early emotional awareness, Fascination with theory, Early concern for (and ongoing need to explore) existential issues, Awareness of and need for complexity, Tendency to make connections across domains, Tendency to predict consequences
and foresee problems, Needing intellectual stimulation/mental challenges"
Traits shared by Autism, ADHD, and Giftedness (centre moss green, convex curved triangle area):
"Emotional sensitivity, Sensory
differences, Interest-driven, Asynchronous development, Unique
ways of learning, Intense curiosity, Executive function difficulties, Divergent/creative thinking"
Traits shared by Autism and ADHD (light green curved triangle area):
"Stimming, Interoception differences, Differences in impulse control, Processing speed impacted, Different perception of time, Atypical social interactions, Hyperactivity (physical and/or mental)"
Traits shared by ADHD and Giftedness (purpleish-blue curved triangle area):
"Easily bored, Thinking in metaphor and symbol, Learning in a non-linear manner"
Traits shared by Autism and Giftedness (orange curved triangle area):
"Ability to notice details, Needing time spent in solitude/contemplation, Preference
for logic and fairness, Preference
for precision in expression, Thinking in systems, Highly developed morals"
Credit: Katy Higgins Lee, MFT - tending paths.
