Can you be ADHD and AS??

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2001
Can you be ADHD and AS??
8
Tue, 09-13-2005 - 11:21pm

This is something that has been on my mind lately.

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2003
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 6:45am

To the best of my knowledge, yes, you can have both. It's called "co-morbidity" (bad name!) to have two things going on. As I undersand it, there are various issues that can be co-morbid with ASDs, like OCD (obsessive compulsive.)

My DS Jack (age 4) is in constant motion, too. But it's his sensory integration dysfunction that's a part of his ASD -- he is constantly seeking motion b/c his body has itself (mis)regulated that way. Have you looked at sensory stuff for Bobby? It certainly can effect the attention span, too. An O.T. is the one to dx. and help him with that if it's the case.

Take care,
Cathy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-1998
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 8:00am

Well my DS certainly has both of those on his long list of Dx, along with OCD & TS. As I understand it they quite commonly go hand-in-hand.

So far as I know no one has looked into SID for him though, maybe that is the next step!!

Helen
Aussie Mum to Addison (Nov94 ?AS,ADHD,OCD,TS?) & Eloise (May2000 NT)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 9:54am

Tina,

ITA with Cathy, It is possible to have both, but I don't believe *that* particular combination is so common (someone correct me if I am wrong) However, it is VERY common for ASD kids to have SID, and if they 'underfeel' motion, they need more of it to feel normal, if you KWIM. Techincally, this is called vestibular hyposensitivity and both my kids have it, although Peter is the one who is most impacted.

I would have a OT trained in sensory theory evaluate Bobby and if they figure he has SID, try therapy to address it. There are therapies and 'gadgets' of various sizes to with help this, a big ball being probably one of the cheapest and most versatile.

The problem with a DX of ADHD -particularly an incorrect one, is that there is immediate and heavy pressue from the schools to medicate, (many of them seem to see Ritalin as a slver bullet), and most of the ADHD meds do not work well with ASD kids, as some moms on this board can attest.

Just some thoughts. I hope they help.

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 10:28am

Helen,

I don't know if they were published in AussieLand, but check out:

"The Out of Sync Child" By Carol Stock Kranowitz -explains sensory theory in a very straightforward way. also "The Out of Sync Child has fun" (same author) has some great sensory activities for SID kids (or any kids).

"Sensory Integration and The Child" By Jean A. Ayres -somewhat more scholarly, but written by the founder of sensory integration theory.

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 10:42am

I believe that most kids on the spectrum will also exhibit the behaviors of ADHD and even meet the full criteria. BUT the thing to look for is what is causing these behaviors. Is it true ADHD or is it something like SID. Most often I feel with AS kids it is not true ADHD but something else. That is the case with my kids.

I do know of kids with ASD who respond great to ADHD meds. Mike takes an ADHD supplement he says helps slow down his brain, but ADHD meds where horrible for my ASD kids. In fact, often doctors will almost used ADHD meds diagnostically because it can be common for ASD kids to not do really well on ADHD meds.

My nephew takes concerta and it has helped him immensly so far, but they have to be really careful. He has to stay on a really low dose or he gets really anxious. ADHD meds helped mike for a while and then made him worse. He became very withdrawn, etc. ADHD meds were horrible for Cait from the second she tried it. It was one time and the experiment lasted 3 horrible days and we knew we'd never do that again.

Mike's ADHD symptoms are caused by sensory troubles and auditory proccessing problems. Caits are due to auditory processing and executive dysfunction. Dave, we're still trying to figure out. Some may be actual ADHD though he can't take the meds. They cause him seizures. Alot of his is SID as well though.

hope that helps a little.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 11:45am

Hi Tina - yes, my son's Dx is PDD-NOS

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-1998
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 8:21am

Thanks, I'll look them up.

Unfortunately I don't have full custody of Addison, he lives mostly with his Father who has latched on to the ADHD Dx & medicates him with 54mg concerta (ritalin) which I am sure could be the reason behind some of his tics & obsessions.

Also the ADHD tag is what restricts his access to an Aide in mainstream school which is why he goes to a behaviour one.

Helen
Aussie Mum to Addison (Nov94) & Eloise (NT May2000)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 9:13am


Helen,

That's a bummer. I can see how a man may 'prefer' an ADHD DX to an AS one, although obviously, no DX is the ideal.

Having said all that however, a lot of ADHD kids had sensory issues, too, and would benefit from sensory therapy.

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com