Understanding Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Youths

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Understanding neurodevelopmental disorders

Do you find it overwhelming to stay focused in lectures or meetings, and struggle to stay organised? You may also have difficulty sitting still. Daily responsibilities can feel exhausting. Even socialising, school, or work may seem much harder for you compared to your peers. If you’re constantly experiencing these difficulties, they could be signs of a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Understanding neurodevelopmental disorders

Who is this for?

Overview Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder
What are<br>neurodevelopmental disorders?

What are
neurodevelopmental disorders?

Neurodevelopmental disorders are conditions that affect how our brain develops and works. They usually start in early childhood and affect how we think, learn, communicate, and interact with others.

It's important not to mistake the signs of these conditions for personal failure. They also don't mean you can't handle daily responsibilities. With the right strategies and support, individuals with these conditions can build skills over time and learn to manage them.

Types of neurodevelopmental disorders

Two common neurodevelopmental disorders are Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Each of them affects us differently, and some people may have both. Read on to find out how they affect us, and learn ways to manage them.

Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Understanding Attention-Deficit/<wbr>Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Understanding Attention-Deficit/<wbr>Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

How does it affect us?

Living with ADHD can make even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming and exhausting. It’s not just about struggling to focus or sit still. It’s also about how these challenges affect daily life.

Individuals with ADHD might zone out during lectures or meetings, even when they want to pay attention. Group projects can also be stressful, as they may struggle to follow conversations or contribute ideas in an organised way.

They often feel frustrated, misunderstood, or left out because their minds don’t seem to work the way they want them to. It’s also common to feel that others around them don’t understand what they’re going through.

Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a condition that affects how the brain develops. It can lead to ongoing difficulties with paying attention, being overly active, or acting without thinking things through first, which can get in the way of daily life.

ADHD affects about 5% of children worldwide and in Singapore. It can make it hard to stay focused, complete tasks, manage time and emotions. These difficulties usually start in early childhood and can affect life at school, at home, and in relationships with others.

Common
misconceptions

1
People with ADHD are unmotivated, and they just need to try harder to concentrate.
2
Only boys have ADHD.
3
ADHD is caused by poor parenting.

Causes

ADHD is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Causes

ADHD is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Research shows that ADHD tends to run in families, so having a parent or sibling with ADHD increases the likelihood of developing the condition.

While environmental factors aren't fully understood, factors associated with higher risk include tobacco or alcohol use during pregnancy, and premature birth.

Signs and Symptoms

ADHD can appear in 3 main ways, depending on which symptoms are most noticeable.

Signs and Symptoms

ADHD can appear in 3 main ways, depending on which symptoms are most noticeable. These symptoms must be ongoing (lasting at least 6 months), start before age 12, and show up in 2 or more settings (e.g. home, school, or social environments).

Inattentive presentation

Signs and symptoms include:

  • Struggling to stay focused during lessons, meetings, reading, or tasks
  • Seeming not to listen even when spoken to directly
  • Being easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or background noise
  • Avoiding, delaying, or finding it hard to start tasks that require sustained attention
  • Not following through on tasks or leaving them incomplete
  • Having difficulty organising tasks, managing time, or meeting deadlines
  • Frequently losing or misplacing belongings
  • Forgetting daily responsibilities, like attending classes or meetings, or replying to texts from friends or teachers
  • Making frequent careless mistakes or missing important details, especially when rushing or under pressure

Hyperactive and impulsive presentation

Signs and symptoms include:

  • Feeling restless or unable to stay still during lectures, social gatherings, or meetings
  • Moving around frequently when expected to remain seated
  • Finding it hard to relax or enjoy quiet activities like reading
  • Feeling the need to constantly do something
  • Talking excessively, sometimes interrupting or finishing others’ sentences
  • Struggling to wait for their turn in group activities or discussions
  • Acting on impulse, like blurting out answers or sending messages without thinking

Combined presentation of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms

Includes signs and symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive presentations.

Note: Some signs of trauma can appear similar to ADHD. For example, being constantly on alert, struggling to concentrate, feeling easily overwhelmed, or withdrawing. They may look like inattention, impulsivity, or social difficulties.

As these symptoms overlap with ADHD, it's important to consider a person's experiences, environment, strengths, and needs. Only then can appropriate support be provided using trauma-informed care, ADHD strategies, or a combination of these.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis

An ADHD assessment may help if you’ve had symptoms since childhood and if they happen in multiple settings, like home, school, or social situations.

An ADHD assessment may help if you’ve had symptoms since childhood and if they happen in multiple settings, like home, school, or social situations. Early assessment and support can make a difference to your academic success, self-esteem, and long-term outcomes.

Trained professionals will assess current symptoms, review medical and family history, and may test for other conditions. They may also gather feedback from family, teachers, or others who know you well. School reports, psychological tests, or computer-based attention tasks may also be used as part of the assessment.

Diagnosis of ADHD includes inputs from multidisciplinary professionals to ensure that other conditions with similar symptoms can be ruled out.

ADHD is only diagnosed when these conditions are met:

  • The symptoms (problems with attention, being hyperactive, and acting without thinking) must be ongoing, lasting for at least 6 months, and have started before the age of 12
  • These behaviours must occur in 2 or more settings, such as at home, at school, or in social environments
  • The symptoms must be clearly inconsistent with the individual's developmental stage and cause significant difficulties in school or work, social interactions, or daily functioning
  • The symptoms cannot be better explained by another condition, like anxiety, learning difficulties, or environmental stressors

Managing ADHD symptoms

Mental health professionals use a combination of approaches to manage ADHD symptoms. Behavioural strategies can help build new skills and habits, and medication can help reduce certain symptoms.

While living with ADHD can be difficult, the right support and strategies can help develop effective ways to manage daily tasks and responsibilities.

Managing ADHD symptoms

Illustration
01

Self-help strategies

Self-help strategies can support specific difficulties. They are most effective when tailored to individual needs and practised regularly.

02

Psychosocial interventions

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and skills-based training help individuals with ADHD learn to cope with daily challenges.

03

Support and education

Understanding ADHD is an important first step. Individuals with ADHD are encouraged to stay informed, and work with a mental health professional who specialises in adult ADHD if possible.

04

Medication

Medication may be prescribed to reduce symptoms of ADHD. Remember to speak with a healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Self-help strategies

Self-help strategies can support specific difficulties. They are most effective when tailored to individual needs and practised regularly.

Organise your space and time

  • Spend a few minutes each day to tidy your workspace or personal areas.
  • Use calendars, reminders, or planners to keep track of deadlines, appointments, and commitments.
  • Keep your work and living spaces clear and organised.
  • Check your schedule and workload before taking on new responsibilities to avoid overcommitting.
  • Try the "do-it-now" rule: if something takes less than five minutes, do it immediately.

Improve your focus

  • Keep your phone silent or out of reach when working on important tasks.
  • Use timers, like 25-minute focus sessions with 5-minute breaks, to stay on task.
  • Keep a notebook or app accessible to write down random thoughts so you can revisit them later.
  • Let family or friends know when you need quiet time to concentrate.

Manage your finances

  • Set a monthly budget and track your spending.
  • Make a shopping list before going out to reduce buying on impulse.

Strengthen your relationships

  • Be open about ADHD with people you trust. Explain that interrupting or acting impulsively is part of your condition. This helps others understand you better.
  • Apologise sincerely if you interrupt, forget commitments, or act impulsively.
  • Practise active listening and remind yourself to wait for your turn in conversations.
  • Use reminders for social events, like birthdays, to show thoughtfulness and build trust.
  • Take time to cool off before responding during emotional moments — pause, reflect, then respond.

Support your emotional well-being

  • Develop healthy habits: get 7–9 hours of sleep each night, exercise for 150–300 minutes a week, eat balanced meals with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and limit caffeine to no more than 400mg a day (around 2–3 cups of coffee).
  • Try mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or yoga to help calm your mind.
  • Practise self-care by making time for activities you enjoy or find relaxing.
  • Keep a mood diary to track your feelings and note what might be causing different emotions, especially during stressful times.

Note: Mindfulness practices can help some people, but others may experience adverse effects like increased anxiety or dissociation. It's important to practise mindfulness under the supervision and guidance of trained professionals, especially for children and youths.

Psychosocial interventions

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and skills-based training help individuals with ADHD learn to cope with daily challenges. These sessions may focus on organisational strategies, emotion regulation, problem-solving, and social skills, depending on their needs.

Parent training programmes are also important to help families develop effective ways to manage ADHD-related challenges at home.

Support and education

Understanding ADHD is an important first step. Individuals with ADHD are encouraged to stay informed, and work with a mental health professional who specialises in adult ADHD if possible.

Support groups can also help both individuals with ADHD and their families.

Medication

Medication may be prescribed for other conditions that commonly occur with autism, such as anxiety, ADHD, tics, or aggression.

It's important to take medications as prescribed and to discuss any concerns or side effects with a doctor to ensure the best outcomes.

Mental health services

If you suspect you may have ADHD, consider speaking with a healthcare professional who can refer you to public institutions like the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for further assessment.

References

First Stop for Mental Health

Not sure whom to reach out to? You can approach any of these First Stop for Mental Health. They can help identify your mental health needs, provide brief support, and guide you to the most suitable services:

National mindline
(24-hour)
Call 1-771 WhatsApp 6669-1771
In-person services
crest samaritans of singapore
Digital
samaritans of singapore

Alternatively, you can click here to explore mental health resources and services located near you.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

How does it affect us?

Living with ASD can make social communication and interaction much harder than it should be.

Individuals with ASD may struggle to engage in conversations, express their thoughts, or handle changes in their routine.

They may also experience social anxiety and feel overwhelmed or stressed in social situations. Over time, these challenges can lead to withdrawal from others or avoidance of social settings, which can result in social isolation.

Understanding ASD

ASD, or autism, is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how we understand the world. It also affects how we communicate and interact with others.

Signs of ASD often appear in early childhood, and around 1 in 127 people worldwide have ASD.

Common
misconceptions

1
Individuals with ASD cannot perform well at school.
2
Individuals with ASD aren't able to find work in the future.
3
Individuals with ASD aren't interested in making friends and prefer to be alone.
4
All individuals with ASD have exceptional skills or abilities.

Causes

Current research shows that ASD is linked to a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors.

Causes

Current research shows that ASD is linked to a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Its exact causes are still unknown, but brain scans suggest that people with ASD may have unusual connections between different parts of the brain, especially in how they work together.

There's also strong evidence that genes play a big role. If one child in a family has ASD, the chances of another sibling having it are higher.

Biological factors during pregnancy and birth also play a part. These include prematurity, low birth weight, birth complications, and older parents.

Environmental factors during early development may also be involved, though more research is needed to fully understand these connections.

Signs and Symptoms

Individuals with ASD often have difficulties with social communication and interaction. They can also show patterns of behaviours and interests that are repetitive and restrictive.

Signs and Symptoms

Individuals with ASD often have difficulties with social communication and interaction. They can also show patterns of behaviours and interests that are repetitive and restrictive.

These symptoms usually appear during childhood, but they may not be obvious until social situations become more challenging than what the individual can handle.

Signs of ASD can include:

  • Difficulty starting or maintaining conversations
  • Low initiative to approach or share enjoyment with others
  • Difficulty understanding emotions and social cues
  • Delayed speech development or unusual use of language
  • Difficulty using or understanding non-verbal communication, like facial expressions or gestures
  • Repetitive movements, like hand flapping, rocking, or spinning
  • Repetitive speech patterns, like echolalia (repeating words or phrases heard from others), or scripted language
  • Difficulty coping with loud noises, bright lights, or crowded spaces

Signs of rigid or restricted patterns of behaviour can include:

  • Difficulty coping with changes in routines
  • Unusually strong attachment to certain objects
  • Intense likes or dislikes of particular textures, sounds, or visual stimuli
  • Intense interest in specific topics (e.g. maps, transportation, games) that may exceed the typical general knowledge amongst peers

Diagnosis

Diagnosis

ASD should be diagnosed by a team of professionals specialised in ASD.

ASD should be diagnosed by a team of professionals specialised in ASD. This multidisciplinary team may include psychiatrists, psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, or social workers. This is important to ensure that other developmental or medical conditions (e.g. ADHD, or anxiety) that may show similar symptoms to ASD can be ruled out.

Some professionals may diagnose ASD based on their clinical assessment. Others may ask you to complete formal diagnostic tests, which could include questions about your developmental history, interviews about your experiences, and behaviour observations.

Managing ASD symptoms

Managing ASD involves a combination of approaches. With the right support and inclusive environments, youths with ASD can build meaningful relationships, succeed in school or work, and lead fulfilling lives.

Managing ASD symptoms

Illustration
01

Self-help strategies

Learn ways to get comfortable with routines, stay calm, and manage your emotions.

02

Psychosocial interventions

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help individuals with ASD regulate their emotions and reduce repetitive, rigid, or aggressive behaviours.

03

Support and education

It's important to find a school or learning environment that meets the needs of individuals with ASD.

04

Medication

Medication may be prescribed for other conditions that commonly occur with ASD, such as anxiety, ADHD, tics, or aggression.

Self-help strategies

Learn ways to get comfortable with routines, stay calm, and manage your emotions.

Create routines for yourself

  • Set fixed times for daily activities.
  • Use timetables or calendar reminders to organise your schedule.
  • Plan ahead and allow extra time to prepare for any changes.

Manage your sensory needs

  • Carry items that help calm your senses (e.g. earplugs or a stress ball).
  • Know your personal triggers and plan around them (e.g. visiting busy places like the mall during quieter hours).

Find your safe space

  • Identify quiet zones you can go to when feeling overwhelmed (e.g. a dim corner at home).
  • Take short breaks to calm down when your surroundings overwhelm your senses, before returning to tasks.

Build emotional awareness

  • Try body scans and mindful breathing to notice physical cues of emotions, and name those emotions without judgement.
  • Record your feelings in a journal to spot patterns and early signs of emotional distress.
  • Identify and practise coping strategies to manage early signs of emotional distress (e.g. going for a walk, or listening to music).

Tips to manage your emotions

  • Prioritise rest and self-care (e.g. staying active, getting 7–9 hours of sleep).
  • Notice your warning signs and practise healthy coping strategies.
  • Prepare ways to calm down during intense emotional moments (e.g. going to a quiet place, or speaking with a trusted adult).

Psychosocial interventions

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help individuals with ASD regulate their emotions and reduce repetitive, rigid, or aggressive behaviours. Social skills training can also support understanding of appropriate responses and behaviours in social situations.

Support and education

It's important to find a school or learning environment that meets the needs of individuals with ASD. Support from trusted adults like teachers and school staff also matters.

Family support from parents is also essential for better management and outcomes.

Medication

Medication may be prescribed for other conditions that commonly occur with ASD, such as anxiety, ADHD, tics, or aggression.

It's important to take medications as prescribed and to discuss any concerns or side effects with a doctor to ensure the best outcomes.

Mental health services

If you suspect you may have ASD, consider speaking with a healthcare professional who can refer you to public institutions like the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for further assessment or interventions.

Institute of Mental Health
(Child Guidance Clinic)
Autism Spectrum Disorder - IMH | Institute of Mental Health

Finding support

Reach out to one of the following resources for more support:

Autism Collaborative
Get more information on ASD, employment support and training for lifelong learning.
Autism Resource Centre
Find careers and job opportunities at the Autism Community.
References

First Stop for Mental Health

Not sure whom to reach out to? You can approach any of these First Stop for Mental Health. They can help identify your mental health needs, provide brief support, and guide you to the most suitable services:

National mindline
(24-hour)
Call 1-771 WhatsApp 6669-1771
In-person services
crest samaritans of singapore
Digital
samaritans of singapore

Alternatively, you can click here to explore mental health resources and services located near you.

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