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Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of course I

disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have a child with ADHD

and another with AS. What differences do you see in these kids. What is the

determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw Hunter for his disability

determination said wow, this looks like AS, yet still looks like ADHD. What do

you see that none of the professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have

seen the diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

Thanks

in SD

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My daughter as AS and is getting an ADHD eval on friday by her

developmental pediatrician that she has been seeing for years (she's 5

now). AS and ADHD share a lot of symptoms but I think AS has more and I

think when it comes down to it, it takes someone with a lot of

experience to tease it out. My daughter fits the ADHD criteria perfectly

but I don't know how much can be explained by age/AS so we'll see. I'm

not even sure if the dev ped is the one to do this but when I called to

get a name from them, the doc said she would do it. I said we definitely

need 60 mins to do it cuz 30 is not enough to see what's up.

Jen

Emery 5 AS/poss ADHD/K in fall

wrote:

>

> Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of

> course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have

> a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in

> these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw

> Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS,

> yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the

> professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the

> diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

> Thanks

> in SD

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

>

>

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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

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wrote:

What do you see that none of the professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

OK, here's what I think and I may be totally wrong. I'd like to know what your thoughts are on my response. First of all, many children with AS also have ADHD as a "secondary diagnosis." Whether ADHD or not, children with AS tend to have symptoms that look like ADHD, including a difficult time knowing what to pay attention to, an aversion to making eye contact, and sometimes a visual processing disorder. Sensory issues can also look like ADHD, including tactile and vestibular processing.

Special interests with intense focuses would be very symptomatic of AS and not ADHD, would it not? And I would think that there are some "stimming" behaviors that cross over in both diagnoses. And in regards to social difficulties and theory of mind --- mmmm...here's where I'm not sure. I know that ADHD does impact social realms, although I would like to hear more from parents with experience in differentiating between ADHD and AS.

Thanks for asking this question.

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My brother has ADHD. He was always a very socialable kid.

He has always had a girlfriend (from 16 on). He was a smart

kid but found school so boring. He was a class clown. He

quit school at 16. He is underemployed. He has lots of

friends though. He has always been independet and has lived

in his own apartment.

My niece has ADHD and anxiety. She is very shy. She finds

school very BORING. She has quit school at 16. She was not

classified soon enough to get her the services that

may have helped her. She won't leave the house.

She is not hyperactive. She is the inattentive type.

She doesn't understand why school is hard and suspects

it is because she is " dumb or lazy " (her words).

Her anxiety is out of control. Her self talk about herself

is very negative. She is not a AS girl. She has typcial

interets and is not hyperfocused on any special interest.

My brother in law in contrast has AS. He has never had a girlfriend.

He has a very immature view of relationships still. He has to be

explained a lot of things. He finished high school and college.

He has an engineering degree but found the work world too

much pressure to cope with. He is underemployed. He works as a

landscaper. He has very few friends. He lives with his aging father.

My daughter has AS with NLD (attnetional and other issues). She is very

hyperfocused on her special interests. She is very smart

but finds school work so boring. Even though she is in

a very small special needs school with kids with ADHD

and reading LD's (I think the school is a gem) she still

finds school work BORING. She refused to go to school last year

in public school.

Some kids with AS have a Non verbal learning disorder, like

my daughter. They should have a neuropscy evaluation to

document the severity of the issue. It is more than

attentional issues only.They have issues with visual spatial

orientation and this makes finding their way around

difficult. There are many types of genetic disorders

where kid have AS and NLD. Fragile X for example.

I think the risk with ADHD is school refusal/school failure

in high school if they don't get the hands on kind of learning

that they thrive in. But even if they quit school I think the

ADHD person can find a hands on type job or even people

oriented work (like sales) and do well.

The risk with AS only (no LD's ) is social isolation and

peer teasing. These reasons may drive them out of school.

If the AS kids doesn't have non verbal issues or ADHD

they seem to really do well in school (like my brother

in law). AS kids can and do go to college

but there they need support to manage.

But in my experience skills can be taught provided

emotional issues are under control.

I regret we didn't have my daughter's AS anxiety treated

as early as 5 years old. The neurologist mis-diagnosed

her as OCD and I went down the path of therapy for

way to long. It makes me cringe when I think of all the

panic attacks she had from age 5-11.

My advice is treat any anxiety early. If anxiety

is not under control there can very little progress.

We are working with Yale's Parenting and Child Conduct

clinic and so many skills are being taught. None of this

would have been possible with untreated emotional problems.

Also we had to get our daughter into a smaller special

needs school. I am very hopeful for her future. I really

am. These problems require a team effort. We needed

medication in place, school services, behavioral plan

and lots and lots of parent training.

Best of luck,

Pam

>

> Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of course I

disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have a child with ADHD

and another with AS. What differences do you see in these kids. What is the

determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw Hunter for his disability

determination said wow, this looks like AS, yet still looks like ADHD. What do

you see that none of the professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have

seen the diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

> Thanks

> in SD

>

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Thank you so much for your response. Hunter hates the thought of going to school

every day. He can't handle shopping, though it is getting better if we go when

stores are less busy. They say this is oppositional defiance disorcer, and the

social skills is his adhd. I just want to wring somebody's neck - like come on,

what don't you see? I'll post more about this a litle later when I'm not sitting

in class LOL

in SD

> >

> > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of course

I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have a child with

ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in these kids. What is the

determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw Hunter for his disability

determination said wow, this looks like AS, yet still looks like ADHD. What do

you see that none of the professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have

seen the diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

> > Thanks

> > in SD

> >

>

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We didn't get the AS DX until our daughter was 9 years old.

People thought she was ADHD inattentive type prior to that.

I still think there is so much valuable info that

comes from a nueropsch eval (about frontal lobe disorders

such as AS and ADHD and executive function)

and these I don't think can be done before age 9.

As the child ages you will see the AS if it is there clearly

in social situations. There will be a clear cut obessiveness

with their special interests. You will see them in a small

group talking about there hobby when everyone else is on

a totally different subject.

I don't think a tester can see the AS in a sesssion only.

I brought in tapes of converstaions my daughter had

with her peers. These tapes really made the case for AS.

The neuropsy eval had all the info on clear cut deificits

in many areas. But socializing is still something I think

parents need to provide info on. Taping conversations

with their peers is highly effective. Because with an adult

sometimes my daughter will stay on the topic at hand.

It is a calm setting and she tends to respond better to adults.

Pam

> >

> > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of

> > course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have

> > a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in

> > these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw

> > Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS,

> > yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the

> > professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the

> > diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

> > Thanks

> > in SD

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> > Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

> >

> >

>

> No virus found in this outgoing message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

>

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My son was originally diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction at the age of 3.5 Then he was diagnosed with ADHD (instead of SID, which was new at the time) at 5 and I didn't think it was the full picture, but he was exhibiting enough of the symptoms and I knew he would get some help and accommodations with the diagnosis, so I just let it be. Around the age of 8, he was diagnosed with Anxiety - not otherwise specified, if I remember correctly. He didn't get the Aspergers diagnosis until 6th grade. From the age of 4, though, I focused more on the behaviors he was exhibiting and less on the diagnosis. I do not think he has SID, ADHD, Anxiety, and Aspergers. The Aspergers makes the most sense to me.

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: H <jenuhferr@...> Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 5:06:16 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Asperger's vs. ADHD

My daughter as AS and is getting an ADHD eval on friday by her developmental pediatrician that she has been seeing for years (she's 5 now). AS and ADHD share a lot of symptoms but I think AS has more and I think when it comes down to it, it takes someone with a lot of experience to tease it out. My daughter fits the ADHD criteria perfectly but I don't know how much can be explained by age/AS so we'll see. I'm not even sure if the dev ped is the one to do this but when I called to get a name from them, the doc said she would do it. I said we definitely need 60 mins to do it cuz 30 is not enough to see what's up.JenEmery 5 AS/poss ADHD/K in fall wrote:>> Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of > course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have > a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in

> these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw > Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS, > yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the > professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the > diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!> Thanks> in SD>> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ->>> No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10 07:35:00>>

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, sounds like you have taken over the alphabet like we have. Here is a

list of diagnoses thus far: ADHD, anxiety, depression, SPD (sensory processing

disorder), Mild CP (Cerebral Palsy), ODD (oppositional defiance disorder).

anxiety and depression are not able to be treated with meds - they throw him

into psychotic episodes. He's been in counseling/ " behavior therapy " (ha ha)

since he was 4, OT since 6, ST since 4, Adaptive PE for a while, and he takes

concerta.

> >

> > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of

> > course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have

> > a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in

> > these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw

> > Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS,

> > yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the

> > professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the

> > diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

> > Thanks

> > in SD

> >

> >

> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> > Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

> >

> >

>

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Pam, what's a neuropsych evaluation? Thanks. Doreen

On Wed Feb 17th, 2010 11:40 PM EST Pamela wrote:

>We didn't get the AS DX until our daughter was 9 years old.

>People thought she was ADHD inattentive type prior to that.

>

>I still think there is so much valuable info that

>comes from a nueropsch eval (about frontal lobe disorders

>such as AS and ADHD and executive function)

>and these I don't think can be done before age 9.

>

>As the child ages you will see the AS if it is there clearly

>in social situations. There will be a clear cut obessiveness

>with their special interests. You will see them in a small

>group talking about there hobby when everyone else is on

>a totally different subject.

>

>I don't think a tester can see the AS in a sesssion only.

>I brought in tapes of converstaions my daughter had

>with her peers. These tapes really made the case for AS.

>

>The neuropsy eval had all the info on clear cut deificits

>in many areas. But socializing is still something I think

>parents need to provide info on. Taping conversations

>with their peers is highly effective. Because with an adult

>sometimes my daughter will stay on the topic at hand.

>It is a calm setting and she tends to respond better to adults.

>

>

>Pam

>

>

>> >

>> > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of

>> > course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have

>> > a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in

>> > these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw

>> > Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS,

>> > yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the

>> > professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the

>> > diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

>> > Thanks

>> > in SD

>> >

>> >

>> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>> >

>> >

>> > No virus found in this incoming message.

>> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

>> > Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

>> >

>> >

>>

>> No virus found in this outgoing message.

>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

>> Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

>>

>

>

>

>

>------------------------------------

>

>

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I FEEL TRULY BLESSED MY SON AT THE AGE OF 6.5 IS JUST ADHD AND AS AND HE HAS THE BEST PEDS DOC AND THE BEST COUNSELOR MACON GA. I KNOW I AM ON A BUMPY ROAD CAUSE HE IS LIKE HIS FATHER BUT WE GOT HELP EARLY AND I AM HOPING THIS WILL HELP. AND IF YOU ARE IN GEORGIA DR.JOHNS IS THE BEST TO TEST AND TREAT! HE IS IN MACON KATIE FROM GAFrom: <moien@...>Subject: ( ) Re: Asperger's vs. ADHD Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 12:18 AM

, sounds like you have taken over the alphabet like we have. Here is a list of diagnoses thus far: ADHD, anxiety, depression, SPD (sensory processing disorder), Mild CP (Cerebral Palsy), ODD (oppositional defiance disorder). anxiety and depression are not able to be treated with meds - they throw him into psychotic episodes. He's been in counseling/" behavior therapy" (ha ha) since he was 4, OT since 6, ST since 4, Adaptive PE for a while, and he takes concerta.

> >

> > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of

> > course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have

> > a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in

> > these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw

> > Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS,

> > yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the

> > professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the

> > diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

> > Thanks

> > in SD

> >

> >

> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

> >

> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> > Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10 07:35:00

> >

> >

>

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My daughter too is defiant/ridgid kid.

I think I mentioned nothing will help with the AS Dx as much as

you audiotaping his interactions with other kids. I bought

an inexpensive taperecorder that fit in my pocket.

If your child has AS by the time they are 9 it will easier to

audio tape the conversations. By age 9 kids do have converstaions

on various topics and it is obvious in peer settings.

When I played these tapes to various counselors it had a big impact.

I would intervene in the tape too. I would say to my daughter

ask Sara (the friend) how her party was ...and my daughter

would ask but then go back to talking about animals.

Nothing I did could get her off the topic it was very effective.

ADHD kids are so different from AS kids. They both often have

executive skill disorders and that is one similiarity.

Pam

> > >

> > > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of

course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have a child

with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in these kids. What

is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw Hunter for his disability

determination said wow, this looks like AS, yet still looks like ADHD. What do

you see that none of the professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have

seen the diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

> > > Thanks

> > > in SD

> > >

> >

>

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A neuropsych eval is done by a neuropsychologist it is often a

8 hour test (over a week or more) that test how the brain

learns and functions.

The book by Dr. D. Papolos " The Bipolar Child " has a chapter

expaining neurosy evals. This book is avail at all the local

libraries in our area I hope you can borrow a copy.

Many kids with AS and kids with ADHD and Bipolar have these

executive function disorders that make they very ridgid kids,

inflexible, difficulting getting off a subject, explosive,

find school boring ...these kind of kids often have deficit

level scores in attention, organization, procssing speed etc.

The test is expensive often $3000, some can be billed as

counseling hours and reimbursed thru insurance. Sometimes

a school will pay for the test but it is expensive and the

schools I have dealt with won't. But some do. This is the

kind of test that only needs to be done once to really

understand your child. Make sure the tester will write

extensive recommendations on school accomodations too.

good luck,

Pam

these functI thinIt

http://bipolarchild.com/Book/

> >> >

> >> > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of

> >> > course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have

> >> > a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in

> >> > these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw

> >> > Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS,

> >> > yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the

> >> > professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the

> >> > diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

> >> > Thanks

> >> > in SD

> >> >

> >> >

> >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >> >

> >> >

> >> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> >> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> >> > Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

> >> >

> >> >

> >>

> >> No virus found in this outgoing message.

> >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> >> Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >------------------------------------

> >

> >

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Ok. Thank you.

On Thu Feb 18th, 2010 11:42 AM EST Pamela wrote:

>A neuropsych eval is done by a neuropsychologist it is often a

>8 hour test (over a week or more) that test how the brain

>learns and functions.

>

>The book by Dr. D. Papolos " The Bipolar Child " has a chapter

>expaining neurosy evals. This book is avail at all the local

>libraries in our area I hope you can borrow a copy.

>

>Many kids with AS and kids with ADHD and Bipolar have these

>executive function disorders that make they very ridgid kids,

>inflexible, difficulting getting off a subject, explosive,

>find school boring ...these kind of kids often have deficit

>level scores in attention, organization, procssing speed etc.

>

>The test is expensive often $3000, some can be billed as

>counseling hours and reimbursed thru insurance. Sometimes

>a school will pay for the test but it is expensive and the

>schools I have dealt with won't. But some do. This is the

>kind of test that only needs to be done once to really

>understand your child. Make sure the tester will write

>extensive recommendations on school accomodations too.

>

>good luck,

>

>Pam

>these functI thinIt

>

>http://bipolarchild.com/Book/

>

>

>> >> >

>> >> > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of

>> >> > course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have

>> >> > a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in

>> >> > these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw

>> >> > Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS,

>> >> > yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the

>> >> > professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the

>> >> > diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

>> >> > Thanks

>> >> > in SD

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >> > No virus found in this incoming message.

>> >> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

>> >> > Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >>

>> >> No virus found in this outgoing message.

>> >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

>> >> Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2693 - Release Date: 02/17/10

07:35:00

>> >>

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >------------------------------------

>> >

>> >

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My son is 12 and initially diagnosed as PDD-NOS, then undiagnosed as autism by a

leading guru on the subject (think land area), then diagnosed as ADHD and

finally rediag'd as Aspergers--which everyone around me was telling me and which

ultimately made sense.

Although my son does have some ADHD tendencies--when you look under the cover,

it is not true ADHD. One of the best questions to ask " does my son showing a

disinterest on many things, appearing to multi-task so quickly to avoid boredom

or does he really have an interest and just cannot concentrate well enough,

getting fustrated in the process? " .

My son has only a few interests but never once got fustrated because he could

not concentrate well enough. I realized only after a while that his quick

attention span was more due to disinterest rather than an incapability to

concentrate.

(That said, he has never showed the full up concentration that so many asperger

or autistic kids supposedly can display. He loves chess and can play all day

even skipping lunch but the idea to spend more than 15 seconds analyzing his

next move (to improve his winning chances) is foreign to him. )

Marc

> > > > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of

course I disagree with it now...but I have seen a few people that have a child

with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in these kids. What

is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw Hunter for his disability

determination said wow, this looks like AS, yet still looks like ADHD. What do

you see that none of the professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have

seen the diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!

> > > > Thanks

> > > > in SD

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

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Hi , We too have a g.daughter who is almost 6 and has a diagnosis of ADHD & OCD. We recently are in the process of more evaluation because I feel strongly that she has the signs of AS. She takes Adderall and Resperdal as well as Melotonin. It has truly made a difference in her life as well as ours. She begins Kindergarten in the fall and right now she is already not wanting to go to school. She is in preschool for the second year. She says it is boring. Yes, she is smart although she struggles with the talking(or communication-she always acts shy or she says she is not allowed to talk to strangers) and socialization. We have custody and it is sooo much work. Its not the work I mind but when she gets off in a tangent it can be overwhelming.

When I talked with her doctor she really listens and I'm so thankful for her.

We are seeing the struggles in a whole new light though. Her grandpa has also been DX with OCD that they say was probably ADHD and his coping skills it developed into OCD as he got older. Simularities are definantely there. However, I see more and so the eval. is in process. We have one more session and then it will take about a week to find out. She is scheduled to be watched or her progress followed at school in the fall.

I wish you and everyone hope and peace in the struggle to find answers.

Ginny

From: Pamela <susanonderko@...> Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 11:32:54 AMSubject: ( ) Re: Asperger's vs. ADHD

My daughter too is defiant/ridgid kid. I think I mentioned nothing will help with the AS Dx as much asyou audiotaping his interactions with other kids. I boughtan inexpensive taperecorder that fit in my pocket. If your child has AS by the time they are 9 it will easier to audio tape the conversations. By age 9 kids do have converstaionson various topics and it is obvious in peer settings. When I played these tapes to various counselors it had a big impact. I would intervene in the tape too. I would say to my daughter ask Sara (the friend) how her party was ...and my daughterwould ask but then go back to talking about animals. Nothing I did could get her off the topic it was very effective.ADHD kids are so different from AS kids. They both often haveexecutive skill disorders and that is one similiarity. Pam > > >> > > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of course I disagree with it

now...but I have seen a few people that have a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS, yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!> > > Thanks> > > in SD> > >> >>

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My son was also diagnosed with ADHD right before Kindergarten and within 1.5 years, he showed some signs of OCD. But the more I read about OCD, I didn't think it fit my son, so I did nothing with that diagnosis. It just seemed too big for what we were dealing with. In 6th grade, he finally received the Aspergers diagnosis and it made perfect sense. I think some of his OCD-like tendencies have more to do w/ perseveration which is typical behavior for a person w/ Aspergers. It just didn't quite fit in the OCD box, in my opinion. I think if you put him in a room w/ 4 professionals, you'd have four different opinions of exactly what D's diagnosis/diagnoses should be. I try to pay more attention to the behaviors and less to the diagnosis, for that reason in particular. As long as it's acknowledged in the school system that there are problems and he's

protected/assisted through an IEP, I feel like we'll be okay.

I'm a single mom and my parents help out quite a bit, especially my dad. I applaud you for your efforts with your granddaughter!

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: ginny rein <ginny_552001@...> Sent: Fri, February 19, 2010 2:12:14 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Asperger's vs. ADHD

Hi , We too have a g.daughter who is almost 6 and has a diagnosis of ADHD & OCD. We recently are in the process of more evaluation because I feel strongly that she has the signs of AS. She takes Adderall and Resperdal as well as Melotonin. It has truly made a difference in her life as well as ours. She begins Kindergarten in the fall and right now she is already not wanting to go to school. She is in preschool for the second year. She says it is boring. Yes, she is smart although she struggles with the talking(or communication- she always acts shy or she says she is not allowed to talk to strangers) and socialization. We have custody and it is sooo much work. Its not the work I mind but when she gets off in a tangent it can be overwhelming.

When I talked with her doctor she really listens and I'm so thankful for her.

We are seeing the struggles in a whole new light though. Her grandpa has also been DX with OCD that they say was probably ADHD and his coping skills it developed into OCD as he got older. Simularities are definantely there. However, I see more and so the eval. is in process. We have one more session and then it will take about a week to find out. She is scheduled to be watched or her progress followed at school in the fall.

I wish you and everyone hope and peace in the struggle to find answers.

Ginny

From: Pamela <susanonderko> Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 11:32:54 AMSubject: ( ) Re: Asperger's vs. ADHD

My daughter too is defiant/ridgid kid. I think I mentioned nothing will help with the AS Dx as much asyou audiotaping his interactions with other kids. I boughtan inexpensive taperecorder that fit in my pocket. If your child has AS by the time they are 9 it will easier to audio tape the conversations. By age 9 kids do have converstaionson various topics and it is obvious in peer settings. When I played these tapes to various counselors it had a big impact. I would intervene in the tape too. I would say to my daughter ask Sara (the friend) how her party was ...and my daughterwould ask but then go back to talking about animals. Nothing I did could get her off the topic it was very effective.ADHD kids are so different from AS kids. They both often haveexecutive skill disorders and that is one similiarity. Pam > > >> > > Hunter has had an ADHD Diagnosis (among many others) since age 4. Of course I disagree with it

now...but I have seen a few people that have a child with ADHD and another with AS. What differences do you see in these kids. What is the determining factor? The psychiatrist that saw Hunter for his disability determination said wow, this looks like AS, yet still looks like ADHD. What do you see that none of the professionals can really answer for me? Yes, I have seen the diagnostic criteria, but I think I'm looking for the parents' view!> > > Thanks> > > in SD> > >> >>

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