Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a learning disorder but those with autism can be impacted by a learning disorder. Autism can have profound effects on a child’s development. Because of autism’s wide range of behavioral and cognitive presentations, different children with the condition can encounter a wide variety of challenges. One child with ASD may excel in rote memorization, yet struggle with understanding more complicated ideas. Another may encounter significant challenges with learning to speak or issues with reading and writing.
Other conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can contribute to these same kinds of learning disorders or mimic them. Making sense of the interaction and differences between and among all of these conditions can be difficult. Knowledge of these conditions, however, is important in understanding your child’s learning difficulties and how to address them with the proper treatment modalities.