What is one defining factor that separates autism and adhd?

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What is one or so symptoms (s) that you believe can separate them so people can know which of the two they have. Both seem very similar in nature. Even I believe, people with autism can exhibit adhd symptoms such as lack of focus and wandering off but not have adhd. These two disorders confuse me. Thoughts?

Is concrete thinking more like autistism and associative thinking more like adhd?

There isn't really one to be honest. It seems like clinicians are bad at distinguishing between the two. As there are not clear biological markers separating them, and a huge diagnostic overlap, the current situation seems unrealistic and unsustainable. I suspect in the coming decades the two diagnoses will be merged.

How are Adhd and autism at all alike? They seem quite opposite to me.

It's like distinguishing being distracted vs being overwhelmed.
Being distracted means, well, being distracted for whatever reasons. Because being overwhelmed can also be the reason for being distracted.
While being overwhelmed could cause other things that even include being distracted.

I think that's the overlap. In an oversimplified way.

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Autism is diagnosed by pervasive communication deficits and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.
ADHD is characterized by an inability to concentrate.

Although executive function issues do come up for autistic people they are the consequence of obsessive, narrow focus on “special interests” or other apparently meaningless activities.

Completely different.

Being disconnected from others: limited to no responsiveness, interacting, eye contact, speaking, desire to be touched, self awareness.

Second would be hypersenses regarding light, sound, smell, taste and smell - which can result in meltdowns and shutdowns.