"Is it common for a child with Asperger Syndrome to also have other disorders? My son had been diagnosed with ADHD, but now they think he may also have Asperger Syndrome."
Children with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism are known to have several comorbid conditions. Comorbid conditions are those conditions or diseases that go along with having Aspergers. One of these conditions is known as ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Sometimes, these children can be misdiagnosed as only having the more common ADHD, with the Aspergers being missed.
Obsessive compulsive disorder can be a comorbidity with Aspergers. In some cases, this doesn’t show-up until the Aspergers child is an adult. What both conditions have in common is the need for order, and the presence of compulsive, sometimes irrational, repetitive behaviors. Some scientists believe that there is a neurological relationship between the two conditions.
Because those with Aspergers know they are different and have difficulty relating to others, they often suffer from acute or chronic depression. Others can have anger or violent symptoms out of frustration for being “out of place”. There have been reports of suicide and suicide-attempts among those with Aspergers. The symptoms of depression can respond to antidepressant therapy and also to psychological therapy, aimed at helping the Aspergers individual feel more accepted and acceptable to others.
In addition, seizures are a common comorbidity of Aspergers with some researchers believing that up to 30 percent of Aspergers children also have a seizure disorder. Medication can work in some cases, while other sufferers require specialized brain surgery to be free of seizures. While the Aspergers itself has no known cure or medications specifically designed for it, many of the comorbidities can be treated effectively. Not only can seizures and depression be treated, but the ADHD and obsessive compulsive symptoms have known medical therapies directed at helping them. Using these medications can often make Aspergers symptoms more tolerable and increases the functioning of the individual who is experiencing it.
The Aspergers Comprehensive Handbook
COMMENTS:
• Anonymous said... Mine has both. Diagnosed about 5 years with ADHD and with Aspergers when he was 8.
• Anonymous said... Mine was diagnosed with Aspergers, then they mentioned he also has ADHD.
• Anonymous said... My 11 yr old grandson was diagnosed bipolar when he was 3 & as Aspergers in elementary school.
• Anonymous said... My 7 year old son has ADHD and Asperger's and according to his neurologist this is very common.
• Anonymous said... My son also has anxiety and depression disorders to deal with, which are getting markedly worse with puberty.
• Anonymous said... My son has adhd and Aspergers
• Anonymous said... My son has been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and Asperger's. I have also noticed a worsening now that he is 10.
• Anonymous said... my son was diagnosed with ADHD at 7 and Aspergers at 11 sometimes I think you can spot when things arent straight forward not that things are ever straight forward with any condition as such, i just mean there can be extra behaviours that can point to other conditions like Aspergers
• Anonymous said... My son was diagnosed with ADHD at age five and Aspergers at age seven.
• Anonymous said... My take (based on my experience) is depression is more of a causality of the conditions these kids must deal with, and not a direct chemical disorder in the brain(the conventional cause of depression). I wasn't diagnosed with ADD until college, and never formerly diagnosed with aspergers, but have and show many of the traits. Depression was a result of my inability to properly socialize with others. Left unabated it leads to apathy, and was only abated by my family's strong support.
• Anonymous said... My take on this is that Asperger/autism (ASD) is the primary neurologic condition, and that these other diagnoses are just symptom clusters that frequently appear in people with ASD. That said, treating the symptoms can help overall function so in that way it's helpful/sensical to have another diagnosis. But it's not a new "disorder."
• Anonymous said... Technically, according to the DSM, you can't be diagnosed with ADHD and a spectrum disorder on Axis 1, although some psychologists do it. It is a tough call for some evaluators because ADHD symptoms definitely are often seen with Autism. Paired with social isolation,or self-stimming behaviors, the default diagnosis is the spectrum disorder.
• Anonymous said... Yes. Depression... and my kiddo too is getting worse with puberty. They diagnosed him with apraxia to explain his speech slowness, I took him in for ADD testing in 4th grade and that's when they finally diagnosed him with Asperger's... which explained ALL of the observations I'd had... and yes Kristina, it's getting worse, or at least different, with puberty...
• Anonymous said... Yes... ADHD then Aspergers then Sensory Integration.
More comments below...
COMMENTS:
• Anonymous said... Mine has both. Diagnosed about 5 years with ADHD and with Aspergers when he was 8.
• Anonymous said... Mine was diagnosed with Aspergers, then they mentioned he also has ADHD.
• Anonymous said... My 11 yr old grandson was diagnosed bipolar when he was 3 & as Aspergers in elementary school.
• Anonymous said... My 7 year old son has ADHD and Asperger's and according to his neurologist this is very common.
• Anonymous said... My son also has anxiety and depression disorders to deal with, which are getting markedly worse with puberty.
• Anonymous said... My son has adhd and Aspergers
• Anonymous said... My son has been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and Asperger's. I have also noticed a worsening now that he is 10.
• Anonymous said... my son was diagnosed with ADHD at 7 and Aspergers at 11 sometimes I think you can spot when things arent straight forward not that things are ever straight forward with any condition as such, i just mean there can be extra behaviours that can point to other conditions like Aspergers
• Anonymous said... My son was diagnosed with ADHD at age five and Aspergers at age seven.
• Anonymous said... My take (based on my experience) is depression is more of a causality of the conditions these kids must deal with, and not a direct chemical disorder in the brain(the conventional cause of depression). I wasn't diagnosed with ADD until college, and never formerly diagnosed with aspergers, but have and show many of the traits. Depression was a result of my inability to properly socialize with others. Left unabated it leads to apathy, and was only abated by my family's strong support.
• Anonymous said... My take on this is that Asperger/autism (ASD) is the primary neurologic condition, and that these other diagnoses are just symptom clusters that frequently appear in people with ASD. That said, treating the symptoms can help overall function so in that way it's helpful/sensical to have another diagnosis. But it's not a new "disorder."
• Anonymous said... Technically, according to the DSM, you can't be diagnosed with ADHD and a spectrum disorder on Axis 1, although some psychologists do it. It is a tough call for some evaluators because ADHD symptoms definitely are often seen with Autism. Paired with social isolation,or self-stimming behaviors, the default diagnosis is the spectrum disorder.
• Anonymous said... Yes. Depression... and my kiddo too is getting worse with puberty. They diagnosed him with apraxia to explain his speech slowness, I took him in for ADD testing in 4th grade and that's when they finally diagnosed him with Asperger's... which explained ALL of the observations I'd had... and yes Kristina, it's getting worse, or at least different, with puberty...
• Anonymous said... Yes... ADHD then Aspergers then Sensory Integration.
More comments below...
28 comments:
Mine has several other dxs. Kinda makes it hard too.
Dylan has adhd and aspergers. Makes life even more interesting. The symptoms overlap. The concerta works to control the adhd but unfortunately there is no meds for the aspergers. So we just take everyday as it is.
Yes they go hand in hand, all neuro. We have ADHD, sensory processing disorder and PDD-NOS
Yes they go hand in hand, all neuro. We have ADHD, sensory processing disorder and PDD-NOS
Hello friends !!! I'm so excited to hear that other people live in my world, my son has are you ready???? ADHD, Epilepsy and Aspergers so we are a walking medicine cabinet, we take life one day at a time and alot of hills and mountains, please guys if you know of any more site please pass them on to me and friend me as well.
My daughter was just diagnosed with Asperger's and ADHD...She is turning 5 in a few months. She also has SPD. Seems like a lot of us are in the same boat.
my son has aspergers and ADHD.
My son is Aspergers with ADD and, now that he's started school, we've picked up dyslexia. He's such a star though and we just take each day as it comes :)
My foster (soon to be adopted) son has aspergers, adhd, ptsd, fas, and rad.... And we love him with all his little quirks :-)
I have been convinced that my son only had ADHD. Now doing a lot of research and talking with psychologists, it is clear my son is also asperger's. School has been telling me this for two years and I have flatly denied it. Unfortunately, taking some time to visit the school during recess hours and watching my son on the playground has convinced me otherwise.
My daughter has OCD ADHD anxiety and Aspergers --- fun times
Love my grandson with all his quirks he is a special wee boy ♥
My son Julian has adhd, aspergers traits and sensory issues.
My grandson was diagnosed with ADHD at age 5. However he never responded to meds. Finally three years ago a new evaluation by a different doctor showed he had High Functionly austism and aspergers.
I have been convinced my son only had adhd for the last two years and have completely denied the schools claims of autism. Now having seen his quirks out on the playground at school I am certain he is aspergers. Awaiting school evaluation but personal psychologist who doesn't dwell on "labels" says he has it.
My son's 10 and has been diagnosed with Aspergers, ADHD, dyslexia and moderate learning difficulties!
My daughter is going on 13, has Tourette syn and Aspergers's with a P.D.A (Pathological Demand Avoidance syn) profile
My daughter has been recently (finally) diagnosed w/ Aspergers. She has attention, anxiety and sensory processing issues as well. The meltdowns are fewer now that we understand how to help prevent them (and manage the meltdowns when we can't). We make accomodations for the tactile, sound and food issues with pretty good success now. We have to deal with others thinking that we are babying her but it's a small price to pay to keep our daughter healthy and happy. They never see the meltdowns so they don't know what it's like!
21 hours ago · Like · 1
My aspie is ADHD too...we've found that his ADHD medicine has really helped his Aspie symptoms (perseverating, eye contact)
my youngest son is a carbon copy of your daughter! and my oldest has Aspergers with ADHD, ODD, OCD and probably something else I have forgotten. SO yes, it's quite common
Well....I thought I was alone but alas...I am not! Oldest son is 12 years old with Asperger's, ADHD, OCD and ODD. Anyone else struggle with kids who adamantly refuse any treatment? Just getting him to take homeopathic meds is an absolute nightmare because of his anxiety and paranoia. I am a child psych major and I am at a loss. :/
My daughter has aspergers,ADHD,and anxiety disorder
My son has just been diagnosed with ADHD and Aspergers. Now his ADHD is under control the Aspergers is more obvious but the ADHD meds have really helped, far fewer meltdowns and less anxiety/sensory issues.
my husband has aspergers/a,d,h,d and o,c,d,,youngest child has aspergers and o,c,d, and oldest has aspergers and serious mental health problems,aspergers rarely comes alone,
What is sensory processing disorder?
my husband has aspergers/a,d,h,d and o,c,d,,youngest child has aspergers and o,c,d, and oldest has aspergers and serious mental health problems,aspergers rarely comes alone.
My son has sensory issues too.
Three A's here. Asperger's ADHD and Auditory Processing Disorder so far...probably LD when he's older...
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