Is ADHD/ADD considered to be on the autism spectrum?

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I haven't been diagnosed with any autism condition and I doubt that I will pursue diagnosis although I definitely can identify with a lot of the traits, but ADHD/non-attentive type is among the many diagnoses I have accumulated. My son was diagnosed with the exact same disorder but in his case they called it ADD (it was a few years earlier than my diagnosis). Which I don't see why they changed to add the word "hyperactive" and then subtracted that word back out by saying "non-attentive type" meaning the type that isn't physically hyperactive, yet often spaces out and loses attention. I guess that's irrelevant to my question though.

Which is: Reading around on different parts of Wrong Planet, I have come away with the impression that AD/H/D is considered to be part of the spectrum, in a way? But not completely? Or only by some? Are they "cousins" so to speak, or what would you say is the relation?

So far as I've read, it's not officially on the spectrum. But I basically consider it to be on the spectrum, just above Asperger's. The overlap between the two is too much for me to think otherwise.

I don't consider ADHD to be on the autism spectrum.

What is the overlap?

It isn't really part of the autistic spectrum, because it doesn't share the core features of autism: social/communicative deficits and repetitive behavior. There may be some social issues with ADHD, like not paying enough attention to what people are saying or jumping from topic to topic in conversation, but they're pretty much only related to attention, and not usually social ability overall. Many ADHD people i've come across even seem almost hyper-social, which is the main reason why it always confuses me when people argue that ADHD should be considered part of the spectrum. Even some(not all) of those severe ADHD people whose conversational abilities are impaired by their drifting attention seem hyper-social in their other abilities. As far as being repetitive, i've heard that some ADHD people are able to hyperfocus at times, similar to autistics, and they may have stimming behaviors, but that's about it.

Even so, it is related to autism, so it's complicated. Some of the features associated with autism, but that aren't required for diagnosis, are shared with ADHD: Problems with executive functioning and attention regulation are very common in autistics, and many ADHD people have sensory issues and may have outbursts like autistic meltdowns. Plus, a large amount of autistics also have ADHD (but may not be diagnosed with both due to the current DSM not allowing an ADHD diagnosis in someone with a PDD. some professionals will still diagnose both though).

No. The autism spectrum is basically the same as the current group of conditions called "Pervasive Development Disorders" - especially autism, Asperger's syndrome and PDD-NOS.

ADHD is not a member of that group, and there is no plan to include ADHD in the new "Autism Spectrum Disorder" in DSM5 (which basically merges all the Pervasive Development Disorders except for Rett syndrome).

However, ADHD is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder in DSM5, just like ASD, so it does belong in the same broader group as ASD. In other words, it is somewhat similar to ASD, but not a part of it.

I also don't consider ADHD/ADD to be on the spectrum, but strongly related to ASD.
I believe that there is a genetic link in a lot of cases and also that symptoms overlap, but still something different.

The paediatrician who DXed my son (classic Autism) gave us a handout with a chart on it, it showed ASD as being a linear progression and had Autism, PDD-NOS, then Aspergers sitting at the top, and then on a connected line but off to the side a bit was ADHD/ADD. I have't seen the chart elsewhere so I wonder if it was his own doing.

There's a link, and some similarities, but I do not think ADHD is on the spectrum.

I think the similarities are often overstated.

yeow no.... we don't want to be included with those types
yet both DX's together are quite common

I'm more ADHD but I can also have autistic symptoms

Currently I cant even read a book or watch a movie..... yet I have had times when I read all the time, and watch 5 movies a week

But socially I am hyper-social at the moment

I move between the two

Is it possible to grow out of ADHD? I was very hyperactive when I was a child, but not so much anymore. Or maybe that was just AS combined with a "kid being a kid"?

I know a person with diagnosed ADHD who has sensory issues and is slightly socially awkward.

Some people outgrow ADHD, but it usually takes until the late 20s or early 30s. Maybe 1 in 3.

Many people in their late teens and early 20s tend to downplay their ADHD and view their problems as being caused by other people or situations, rather than ADHD playing a role. Most people tend not to be very good at accurately perceiving and describing their ADHD-related impairments until their late 20s and early 30s.

Also, many people become less physically hyperactive as they get older, but they don't outgrow ADHD. I am not as physically active as I was as a child, but I still have a lot of hyperactivity and restlessness.

I was hyperactive until I was about 7yrs, I'd say it was a lot more than 'kid being a kid'. But, I wasn't disruptive or destructive or 'angry', just spinning, running and dancing all the time, with a thousand thoughts a second going on. I grew out of the physical hyperactivity, but I haven't grown out of the inattention and still can't read a novel, unless it grips me from the first paragraph - I've read about 10 novels in my lifetime. I'm one of those borderline cases (no diagnosis at all however). I tick all the boxes for inattentive ADHD and some for ASD (neither are severe or pronounced).

My daughter has a diagnosis of Aspergers, but I think, if she had been assessed by a different team, she might have come away with an ADHD diagnosis. I think the Aspergers diagnosis is correct. I believe it's fairly common for AS to present as similar to ADHD, when the child is younger. My daughter is much less hyper than she was (she's nearly 7), but still appears to have 'ants in her pants'. If the hyperactivity goes on beyond the early years, the child is more likely to have ADHD.

With the consideration of brain plasticity, and variation of ones lifestyle, dietary choices and habits, its possible for symptoms to increase or decrease

But I think latent brain structure remains throughout ones life. Interventionist practises eg stem cell, homoeopathy, surgery, concussion or bodily accumulation of chemicals and metals, may provide more substantial shifts in neurological orientation, than just eating better, herbal treatments and exercising

Growing out of ADHD is a erroneous concept espoused by many ignorant doctors. A lowering of vitality due to ageing, gaining weight, medication and depression, losing energy etc is mainly responsible for an apparent diminishing of ADHD symptoms

Kids are fit and full of beans, making ADHD symptoms more apparent. They are still there as you age, but obscured by adult comorbids and general aging devitalisations

I have recently improved my vitality via exercise and diet, also the removal of the subduing effects of self medication.... and many of my old hyperactive symptoms are now back with me.

50yr old fizzing around like a fart in a bottle

I was a mostly good kid too, I think maybe my parents did a good job, and my stars both helped to produce an ethical person. I never really fought or stole like many ADHD kids

Have either of you been on ADHD meds?
I'm considering them if I get a diagnosis. Otherwise I'll self destruct on food addiction, booze or coffee or something else.

I'm finding it hard to settle down at the moment. I've gotten so well, with my recent improvements to diet and exercise, and with it, I now have hyperactivity again

In some ways I kinda like it....