ADD + Sensory Issues + Social Anxiety = ??

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Hi again!

I know, I know... it's another one of those posts. Mostly what I'm curious about, though... what really IS the difference between full-blown Asperger's and, say, a random combination of ADD, sensory issues, and social anxiety? You can even add in some extreme introversion to the mix, if you'd like.

Where do you draw the line between a random set of AS-like symptoms and actual autism? Is there a difference?

Well its possible to have aspie like symptoms but not actually have aspergers. But the only way to know for sure is to seek a diagnosis. I guess its possible to seem aspie but not actually be aspie.

Um, the three Rs? Restricted interests (special interests), repetitive behaviours (stimming), rigid routines (don't cope with changes, especially unexpected change).

Add GAD to the list of 4 you mention and I probably have all of them to some degree. My psychiatrist suspects I'm at that border. He seems to be a big fan of the continuum perspective. Not that I totally buy what he thinks. Personally, I think the criteria for impairment places a bit too much emphasis on difficulties with social cues. I think this is probably because NT professionals (and parents) worry too much about social life. Sometimes I feel like a need a category all my own that places less emphasis on lack of social insight and more on just dealing with all information overload. I think I'm much better than most on here with respect to understanding social cues, although I don't understand why they're done and have difficulties figuring out when it is appropriate (e.g. ceremonies, weddings, funerals, awards dinners, hugging, handshaking, clapping, social formalities, etc.). Anyway, here are some things you might find interesting from DSM-V site:

"There may be some individuals with subclinical features of Asperger/ASD who seek out a diagnosis of ‘Asperger Disorder’ in order to understand themselves better (perhaps following an autism diagnosis in a relative), rather than because of clinical-level impairment in everyday life. While such a use of the term may be close to Hans Asperger’s reference to a personality type, it is outside the scope of DSM, which explicitly concerns clinically-significant and impairing disorders. ‘Asperger-type’, like ‘Kanner-type’, may continue to be a useful shorthand for clinicians describing a constellation of features, or area of the multi-dimensional space defined by social/communication impairments, repetitive/restricted behaviour and interests, and IQ and language abilities. "

http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/P ... px?rid=97#

Symptom severity for ASD could be defined along a continuum that includes normal traits, subclinical symptoms and three different severity levels for the disorder. One possible model:

1. Most severe ASD: Minimal or no social communication, nearly constant, complete preoccupation, strongly resists interference with ritual
2. Moderately severe ASD: some social communication but interactions noticeably disturbed, frequent and interfering rituals, repetitive behaviors and fixated interests
3. Less severe ASD: clear impairments in social communication, meets all diagnostic criteria including symptom severity greater than threshold, occasional rituals, repetitive behaviors and fixated interests; some interference
4. Subclinical AS Symptoms: has some symptoms from one or both domains but no significant interference or impairment, odd mannerisms, some excessive preoccupations but distractible, may have ritualized behaviors but they don't interfere with daily activities
5. Normal Variation: socially isolated or "awkward", some ritualized behaviors and preoccupations but these are normal for developmental stage and cause no interference

http://www.psych.org/MainMenu/Research/ ... eport.aspx

Thanks for your post! It was very informative.

I think I'll probably end up seeing someone at some point. Was in therapy for awhile, but talking about all of the stuff didn't seem to be helping all that much. Being here on WP has, though. Funny how they are supposed to be the trained professionals, but everyone here knows so much more!

I agree that often times too much emphasis is put on socialization. It IS a big deal, at least because social networking and basic functioning are required for school, work, etc. But the information overload is why I started seeking treatment for ADD in the first place and I think it's part of why I get so exhausted and overwhelmed just by daily life. I have to minimize my daily activities for this reason. I can handle social stuff sometimes and I don't think I perform that poorly, but it needs to be in small doses and I really need downtime after. It is too bad that they don't have a separate category, as you said.

As far as social cues and rituals go, I think I'm in a similar spot to you too. I can see why they have some place in society and why they might be important, but I still have trouble translating my intellectual understanding of them into actual real-world action. As with most things, I seem to be right on that borderline between not really getting it but not being totally clueless either.

This too.

Recently, I filled out an ADD adult questionnaire with the good doctor, and it looks as though I'm ADD. It's an executive dysfunction disorder at the center, and I suppose there is a lot of overlap between the two (ASD) due to this.

In fact stimming is one symptom that ADDers can have, though for different causes ( anecdotal).

( It stimulates the mind to think v.s. bleeding off energy.)

I feel my theory of mind and/or a ' natural instinct' is impacted by ADD. There is a certain disruption or disturbance in my self awareness and others, and from my research though, ToM is impacted or can be influenced through this channel - ( anecdotal) .


There is even some talk (online) of whether ADHD/ADD is an ASD or 'should be' at the beginning in this continuum.

I've been pyrited ( fools gold) long enough, but I believe I found the demon.

Hmm.... that's pretty insightful.

I experience all of the three R's to varying degrees. I do have stims, though they are usually on the level of "nervous habits". I don't know why I do them, but they happen often enough. I don't realize I'm doing them until someone points them out. The longest standing ones have been cheek biting and leg bouncing. My interests are typically very intense and all-encompassing, but not necessarily narrow. And I don't really like sudden changes all that much. I need a routine to function, but I often have trouble sticking to one for various reasons that are probably related to executive dysfunction.

Also, yes, the lack of natural instinct regarding everything is the major impairment I face, other than just being hypersensitive to my surroundings. What comes naturally to most people has to be explained to me and my understanding isn't intuitive. Sometimes I can do it, but sometimes I can't. It's hit and miss, and that's what is really frustrating. I know just enough that I can relate on an intellectual level, but when it comes to applying what I know in a real-time situation, that's where I seem to come up short. I'm self-aware just enough to know that I'm saying the wrong thing. xD

Perhaps you're right that ADD/ADHD is the start of the spectrum. I've often wondered exactly where the distinction is, since they seem to be very related. Regardless, I probably will look into actually getting evaluated by a professional at some point. It'd be nice to unravel some of these mysteries!

I'm glad that you found the demon you were looking for! I hope I find mine soon too.

Interesting thread. I made one a bit similar recently. I have a similar conundrum... am I an aspie, or do I just have some cocktail of ADD/Executive Dysfunction/sensory proccessing disorder?

Yeah, it's hard. I think I'm right at that "borderline" where it could go either way. I don't fit the classic ADD profile but I don't completely fit the Aspie profile either.

Maybe we should invent our own syndrome.

We could be really narcissistic and name it after us.

Syrella Syndrome has a nice ring to it.

Haha. I like the sound of that.

I don't have ADD or Asperger's. I have Syrella Syndrome!

Or perhaps Moog Syndrome?

I think I might have a sammich spectrum disorder.

Hehe. I want that one too!

Can I collect 'em all?

"Hi, I'd like to schedule an appointment. I'd like get evaluated for Syrella Syndrome, Moog Syndrome, and possibly Sammich Spectrum Disroder..."

Hi again!

Just a quick update... I posted a similar thread to this one on an ADD Forum. I've gotten a few responses already, but I'm still waiting to hear more.

If anyone's interested, here is the thread here:
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102173

Moog Madness.

(I just joined this forum because I am wondering the same thing)

I've been wondering this as well. I display a lot of Asberger-like symptoms, but have always assumed that I have really bad ADD, am very socially awkward, and obsess over things. Though, upon reading more about it I think I showed a lot of symptoms during childhood and have learned to cope sort of well.

My question is, is it worth going to a specialist to find out for sure? . If one was to go to a specialist and get diagnosed, what sort of things could they do?