Asperger's versus AD/HD

Post Reply New Topic

With an ADHD dx one can concentrate on what they like Its called hyperfocus. He is a little information lots of info on net.

Hyperfocus and ADHD

It is a misunderstanding that those with ADHD cannot concentrate and focus, because they often can. The difference is that they can intensely focus on what is of interest to them at the time (like swimming or video games) but have difficulty with subjects or tasks not of their choosing (like homework assignments on topics they don't like or group activities). They may feel overwhelmed when trying to organize and complete other assignments or responsibilities, leading to increased stress. In essence, they space out because of this overload.

This is in contrast to those without ADHD, as they are still able to focus and follow through with an uninteresting task without being distracted. They can organize, remember conversations, plan, socialize and balance, even when stressed by multiple assignments or life needs.

My dd is 8.5 and was dx'ed with ADHD and anxiety before she was dx'ed with AS. She is on meds for ADD, a very small dose.
Have you read books on AS girls? They do present differently and do tend to be much more social. They are able to mimic emotions as well.

From what I have read, those on the high functioning end of the spectrum often present ADHD symptoms as well. From the posts I have read about your daughter over the last couple of years, I would definitely say that she has AS. Of course, I have never met her in person, and am not a doctor, so I can't be 100% sure. It also sounds like she has some OCD tendencies too which I think you had tried to address before. I have read and have heard that sometimes for those with AS that have ADHD symptoms, trying a stimulant (the lowest dosage) can be helpful.

Just on a side note, sometimes psychologists just bug me. I took my son to about 5 sessions with one, and although she was very knowledgeable about autism, I just felt like I sat and discussed our issues with no results. I decided it wasn't worth the money to even go back. How can they get a true picture of how your child is unless they come to your house or go view them in different settings? I don't know, I know they can be helpful in some circumstances, but so far, I haven't had much success with them.

My AS/HFA son was diagnosed with ADHD with overfocus first because he tends to be fairly extroverted for an Aspie and actually has friends. But, it was obvious that ADHD did not explain his personality. My younger son has the much more classic ADHD, and yet, he also has a few characteristics that are similar to the ASD issues. I have also been diagnosed with both ADHD and AS.

Many people think that ADHD is related to ASD. I would agree. In fact, I was reading somewhere that the majority of people with AS also have ADHD. I would believe that. There are just too many symptoms in common. Especially for girls.

So, don't take it as an either/or for the diagnoses. It is very likely that she has enough symptoms of both to correctly be diagnosed with both. However, remember that you do not have to have EVERY symptom or trait for the diagnosis. So, your daughter has her own unique combination of traits. And, different specialists have their own things they look for. That is why I list my son's diagnosis as AS/HFA. The diagnosis depends on which person you ask. ASD is a SPECTRUM and not every trait or group of traits fall nicely in order on that spectrum.

As far as the meds go...my son's developmental pediatrician has tried him on several ADHD meds in the hopes that we can at least help those issues. Unfortunately, AS tends to have anxiety as part of it and many of the ADHD meds can make anxiety worse. My son had HORRIBLE anxiety with Vyvanse (which is a wonder drug for his little brother). Straterra also caused some increase in anxiety. Intuniv made him so sleepy that he was taking 3 naps a day at school even before we managed to get up to the normal therapeutic dose. We have also tried Prozac and Abilify to help with the anxiety and depression issues with no effect. So...next week we are starting with a psychiatrist to see if there are any other medications we can try. It took me 20 years and about 20 medications to find something that works well for me, and I am still having a rough time with the side effects, so I know this may take some serious trial and error.

Good luck.

As others have said, it seems quite possible that she is both ASD and ADHD. Many here have given you much more info than I can but I just wanted to share one thing that the neurologist we have seen told me. He said that he does not dx ADHD in kids under the age of 5.5 because the brain structures that are affected by ADHD are not fully formed until that age or later. It's not to say that kids under that age don't have ADHD he just believes that it isn't possible to definitvely dx it until the brain structures are more completely developed. I guess I say this to offer the possibility that her AS was what was most prominent when she was younger but now that her brain is more developed, other issues are becoming apparent.

On another note, I know 3 children whose anxiety is so intense that their behavior appears like ASD or ADHD at times. 2 out of those 3 I know have been evaluated and currently, anxiety is the only issue that has been identified with those 2. Perhaps being able to medicate her anxiety effectively will be helpful for her. Good luck to you both.