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Biography
Dr. Carson completed his doctorate at The University of Texas at Austin, with a predoctoral internship at the Counseling Center of the University of Maryland, and a postdoctoral internship at the Center for Psychological Services/Special Education Services in the Chicago area. He has also enjoyed an extensive career developing educational and psychological assessments (e.g., Riverside Publishing and InstaReport.us).
"I am on the spectrum myself, something I discovered rather late in my career. I want to help other adults on the spectrum to lead productive and fulfilling lives. I began to learn about autism while developing standardized tests (e.g., the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales). Then I had experience working with K-12 students through special education assessments. Finally, I gained experience working with both children and adults on the spectrum by completing psychiatric assessments for Social Security disability evaluations. After learning about Prosper, I realized that I could focus my practice on working with autistic adults."
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Psychology (Counseling Psychology Program) from The University of Texas at Austin; Master of Science in Human Development from The University of Texas at Dallas; Bachelor of Arts in History from Harvard University.
Certifications
Area of Expertise
Modalities
Affiliations
Research and Publications
ADHD vs. Autism: Understanding the Differences and Overlaps
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t ask the question, “Is it ADHD or autism?”
As the parent of an AuDHD child—AuDHD being a colloquial term used to describe the dual diagnosis of both autism and ADHD—I still have difficulty differentiating between the two diagnoses. Is her stimming an autism or an ADHD trait? Which of her Individualized Education Plan (IEP) accommodations at school are tailored to her autism, and which ones are tailored to her ADHD? How is her ADHD medication affecting her autism traits?
My experience is with my 9-year-old daughter, but this dilemma is equally accurate for many adults. If you’re neurodivergent in any capacity, you’ve likely had moments where you’re comparing your characteristics, trying to determine if they could be a sign of autism, ADHD, or both.
AuDHD is becoming increasingly common among neurodivergent people, and those with both diagnoses deserve a clear understanding of autism and ADHD, and what it means when they co-occur.
That said, the two conditions are not the same! Many people will only get diagnosed with one condition or the other, so it's essential to understand how they differ.
