ADHD vs. Aspergers

[Dadwith2Autisticsons]

I received a private request from a member asking that I post a thread about ADHD, from a woman's point of view, as she wanted to see if that diagnosis was a possibility for her based on any responses from this thread, and after knowing that my wife has severe ADHD, but even if you are a man with ADHD, in addition to your Autism/Aspergers diagnosis, please reply too, as you will have great insights as well which could help her out.

I have a few preliminary questions. Please answer one or more of the following if you can, as this may help the member get more insight to her specific situation.

1. How can persons tell the difference between ASD/Aspergers vs. ADHD, if many of the signs and symptoms could be similar?

For instance, both conditions may involve severe sensory issues or sensitivities, difficulty processing things, poorer eye contact because of concentration difficulty or other genetic reasons, etiquette issues, hyperfocusing, difficulty doing things in ways that others desire, difficulty with relationships and employment, behavioral issies, awkwardness etc. Could one difference between ADHD and Aspergers/ASD be introversion versus extroversion? And like a preciseness/love and need for details vs. generalities. And diffuculties with understanding figurative language vs. nondifficulties there?

2. Could someone with comorbid diagnoses thus really have just one of those conditions, or the wrong diagnosis? My wife, for instance, scored really high as an Aspie, but likely is not from my analysis, and as was never diagnosed with such despite numerous other diagnoses.

3. If you can, describe your adhd signs and symptoms, as you perceive them to be, and how that impacts you daily.

4. How could adhd differ in women vs. men?

5. Were you diagnosed with ADHD separately from your Autism, or at the same time? Was a specialist needed to diagnose this, or a general doctor?

6. For those with those comorbid diagnoses, which condition do you feel affects you adversely more, or about the same, and why?

7. What are any good things about your ADHD, if you find any good things about that?

8. How does ADHD affect your family?

9. What treatments have worked and not worked for you?

Thanks, if you can answer one or more of these.

 

[Dadwith2Autisticsons]

Our answers below:

1. How can persons tell the difference between ASD/Aspergers vs. ADHD, if many of the signs and symptoms could be similar?

For instance, both conditions may involve severe sensory issues or sensitivities, difficulty processing things, poorer eye contact because of concentration difficulty or other genetic reasons, etiquette issues, hyperfocusing, difficulty doing things in ways that others desire, difficulty with relationships and employment, behavioral issies, awkwardness etc. Could one difference between ADHD and Aspergers/ASD be introversion versus extroversion? And like a preciseness/love and need for details vs. generalities. And difficultiies with understanding figurative language vs. nondifficulties there?

Our Answer: My wife seems extroverted from the surface (likes introverted activities though), can talk lots and fast, not get to the point, repeat things, go off topic, speak in generalities. She has not much difficulty with idioms and figurative language. I do not think these are generally Aspie things.

2. Could someone with comorbid diagnoses thus really have just one of those conditions, or the wrong diagnosis? My wife, for instance, scored really high as an Aspie, but likely is not from my analysis, and as was never diagnosed with such despite numerous other diagnoses.

Our Answer: Yes, I think non-specialists misdiagnose all the time, and especially as the two conditions as mentioned have many of the similar signs and symptoms. Most nonspecialists of those two conditions could confuse the two, if they do not ask the right questions or analyze well.

3. If you can, describe your adhd signs and symptoms, as you perceive them to be, and how that impacts you daily.

Our Answer: My wife has scattered thinking. Rapid speech. Takes more time to complete tasks. Has prioritization difficulties. Hard time concentrating and listening. Difficulty following directions. Hyperfocuses on topics. Gets bored easily. Likes to keep hands or feet busy. Problems at school. Meltdowns. Stubborn in ways.

4. How could adhd differ in women vs. men?

Our Answer: Not sure. These women are much less diagnosed, as society and the medical field may not see them as hyperactive, as their personaliies may usually be more lively than men. Men with ADHD may stick out more because of this, thus diagnosed more.

5. Were you diagnosed with ADHD separately from your Autism, or at the same time? Was a specialist needed to diagnose this, or a general doctor?

Our Answer: Not applicable, as my wife was never diagnosed with ASD, but ADHD and PTSD, most recently. Her other diagnoses over 25 years were likely wrong, like Borderline, Bipolar, Depression, Bipolar with Psychosis, as none of those treatments worked but made her conditions worse. The ADHD was diagnosed, only after 9 hours of neuropsycholgical testing, broken up over 3 days.

6. For those with those comorbid diagnoses, which condition do you feel affects you adversely more, or about the same, and why?

Our Answer: Not applicable.

7. What are any good things about your ADHD, if you find any good things about that?

Our Answer: Lots of energy to do things. Makes her more creative. She does not worry about what others think. Can appear socially friendly and funny.

8. How does ADHD affect your family?

Our Answer: I have to do lots more! She can make things interesting, like I need to prepare myself for everything.

9. What treatments have worked and not worked for you?

Our Answer: Only alternative and creative treatments worked, like writings, music, art, etc. Traditional therapies did not work.

 

[Dadwith2Autisticsons]

Glad I joined these forums. I appreciate all the topic information. Was just what I was looking for.

Welcome to the group. Besides there being lots of good topics, categories and information here, there is lots of support too. Feel free to look around and post anytime.