Concentration and Aspergers

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Is there a correlation at all between Aspergers and a lower attention span / capacity to concentrate? I am new to this diagnosis and know that for myself, unless I can get obsessed in a topic, I have extreme difficulties concentrating long enough to truly understand information that I'm intaking from textbooks, follow peoples conversations and recall stuff they've said earlier to build a complete picture of the convo, or even holding thoughts long enough to adequately get through my day in an orderly fashion while making sure I have everything I need for each stage of the day.

Is there a way to emulate the kind of concentration I get when I'm cracking a tough computer science code or playing world of warcraft in other aspects of my life? What has helped you stay concentrated on things that are important?

From what I've heard, concentration issues are quite common for people on the spectrum. Some people also get a dual diagnosis of ADHD + AS, though I've heard some doctors don't like diagnosing both at the same time.

Sadly, the only thing I've really found that helped with concentration in other, less-interesting aspects of my life (such as classwork) has been medication. Mainly, Adderall has been a bit help to me.

Quick warning: It makes any anxiety or sensory issues much worse (at least for me) and I had even less desire to socialize. But in general, it has its time and place. So if you really think your lack of concentration is causing problems, you might want to look into trying some sort of stimulant medication.

I've always had immense trouble concentrating on something unless I am completely enthralled by the subject or topic. I have improved and can motivate myself to be interested if I absolutely have to, even if I have to read, watch or hear it a few times first.

Depends. If I don't care about something, I lose concentration fast. But when it comes to my obsessions, my concentration reaches the point that the outside world is blocked out.

Yes, there is. The aspie hyperfocus trait is an "all or nothing" deal. I can easily get absorbed for hours in my special interest, but when it comes time to something obligatory like homework, then I have the attention span of a fruit fly. If I could somehow channel that hyperfocus to things I don't normally want to do, all my problems would be solved.

It really depends on the day for me, but a lot of days my concentration isn't really great unless it's in one of my interests,

I can relate to being able to concentrate on dull things like a customer problem at the grocery store i work at for a brief but focused time when people are pressuring me. Also, even though I can hardly pull myself to concentrate on studying for classes, when I'm taking a test or writing an essay I can get into a hyperfocused, but mentally draining state just because I worry about doing good so I can get a good grade.

It seems like being great at concentrating on special interest but struggling with keeping my mind on other things is something everyone goes through with AS and I should find a way to embrace those interest. Hopefully I can land a career that is related to them.

I have a very hard time concentrating on the things that I'm not interested in.

I have serious concentration problems. If I am having a conversation with someone while I am listening I will blurt out some random thing I was thinking because I will forget it otherwise.

I was in the car with my father talking about Osama and 9/11 and then I randomly blurted out stuff about eyebrows and eye colors.

Yes, you've got it. We have attention defecit when we try to attend to boring stuff, but we have hyperfocus when it comes to interesting stuff. I don't suppose that feature will win us many friends.

On most days, my concentration is a b*tch unless I'm doing something related to my special interests. To remedy this problem, I take Concerta (extended-release Ritalin that works for 8-12 hours) in the early morning every day and a small dose of Adderall in the afternoon, though I only use Adderall on the weekdays when I have to do mundane tasks or interact with people and focus on conversations.

Same here. I have a lot issues for concentration. And i hate it.

My daughter is dx'd AS and ADHD. She couldn't maintain the focus to watch a whole tv show or movie thru, she couldn't finish a story ro a video game and concentrating on anything for longer than 10 minutes was nearly impossible. Once she was medicated, she is now able to focus on her special interests like a proper Aspie... She now finishes games, watches entire movies through and can focus on a project to actually see herself complete something she has set out to do. For her, medication made a night and day difference.