Description
In this deep dive into the neurodivergent experience, Dr. Caroline Buzanko and Dr. Sharp shift the clinical focus from surface behaviors to the internal drivers that differentiate ADHD and Autism. Participants will first examine the clinical necessity of differentiating these profiles, understanding how an accurate diagnosis dictates effective intervention and prevents the "diagnostic overshadowing" that often occurs when ADHD symptoms mask underlying autistic traits. By exploring the "why" behind the "what," practitioners will learn to distinguish between an ADHD performance deficit—where skills exist but are inconsistent—and an ASD skill deficit, where the intuitive "social manual" is missing.
The course provides a grounding in the neurological landscape, allowing participants to consider the neuroanatomical similarities in brain connectivity and function that create symptom overlap, while also discussing the distinct differences in how each brain processes social subtext and sensory information. Participants will gain the skills to explain the complex overlap and differentiation of Criterion A (Social Communication) symptoms, learning to identify whether a social slip is due to ADHD inattention or an ASD lack of "intuitive knowing."
Beyond theory, this session equips practitioners with a practical diagnostic toolkit. You will be able to recognize the "invisible" presentation of autism in girls and high-IQ individuals by analyzing the "wonky" developmental profile and identifying jarring splinter skills. Participants will leave the course able to list and utilize specific diagnostic tests and screeners and modified uses of the SRS—that are most effective in teasing out the internal lived experience of these two conditions to move beyond a simple symptom count and achieve a more accurate, transdiagnostic formulation.
Interview conducted February 2023.
Target audience: Psychologists, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, addiction counselors, nurses, case managers.
Course Format: Asynchronous, distance learning. Non-interactive. Recorded audio with transcript.
This CE course is designated as intermediate.
Content Category: Testing/Assessment/Clinical
Fees, Refunds, Cancellations
There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support.
Do you have questions about this course? Please Contact Us and we'll be happy to help.
Author Bio
ABOUT DR. CAROLINE BUZANKO
Dr. Caroline Buzanko is a Psychologist. Mother. International Speaker. Yoda of anxiety. ADHD Superhero. And Changer of Lives. With over twenty years working with children, teens, and their families, her focus is on developing long-term success and maximizing their resilience. She also trains other mental health professionals and educators to optimize their effectiveness conducting psychological assessments and working with children and teens.
Get in touch:
Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/
Overpowering Emotions Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/overpowering-emotions-podcast-helping-children-and/id1618828819
ABOUT DR. JEREMY SHARP
Dr. Jeremy Sharp is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice founded in 2009 that has grown to over 20 clinicians. He earned an undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting a Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. He specializes in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents. 
CE Approvals
At Health, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. At Health, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
At Health, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6949. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. At Health, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Athealth.com is approved as a continuing education provider by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, the Association for Addiction Professionals. #148460.
At Health, LLC, Provider #1707, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. At Health, LLC, maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 5/3/2023-5/3/2026.
It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for social work in Arkansas. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, master's level psychologists, licensed clinical psychotherapists, and alcohol and other drug abuse counselors in Kansas. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for mental health practice and for social work in Nebraska. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for psychologists, pastoral psychotherapists, clinical social workers, clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and alcohol and drug abuse counselors in New Hampshire. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
It is At Health's understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for social workers, professional counselors, marital and family therapists, and clinical pastoral therapists in Tennessee. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.
Other jurisdictions may accept trainings offered by At Health, LLC for your continuing education requirements. Restrictions may apply. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.”
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Page last modified or reviewed by athealth.com on Feb 3, 2026.
Learning Objectives
Based on the content of this course, I can:
- Articulate why clinically differentiating between ADHD and Autism is needed
- Consider neuroanatomical similarities between autism and ADHD
- Discuss some neuroanatomical differences between autism and ADHD
- Explain the overlap and differentiation of Part A ASD symptoms from ADHD symptoms
- List diagnostic tests that are useful in differentiating ASD from ADHD
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