

Had strong interests in specific topics.

Were socially isolated from their peers.Had a distinct use of language and tone of voice.Had strong vocabulary and language skills.In 1944, Hans Asperger first described Asperger’s syndrome (AS) in children who: Knowing he has it - and working to manage the symptoms - is a relief.” What Happened to Asperger’s Syndrome? After seeing a pediatrician, he received a diagnosis of Asperger’s. For years, we thought it was ADHD, but, at his last evaluation, his teachers suggested that he might have a form of autism. When this happens, he starts rocking or pacing around the room. “But he has a terrible time focusing on things he doesn’t find interesting. ADHD itself, however, is not part of the autism spectrum.Ī mother I previously met summed up her confusion and eventual enlightenment: “John is smart and quick to learn something new if he is interested,” she says. More than half of children on the autism spectrum have symptoms of ADD, according to CHADD - difficulty settling down, social awkwardness, the ability to focus only on things that interest them, and impulsivity. Is ADHD on the Autism Spectrum?Ĭharacteristics of autism spectrum disorders and ADHD sometimes overlap. Research suggests that autism may develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, though much further study is required to fully under- stand this interplay. Researchers don’t understand what causes autism, though there seems to be a strong genetic component. Many autistic children also have symptoms of ADHD - difficulty settling down, social awkwardness, only focusing only on things of interest to them, and impulsivity. Hallmarks of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD often overlap. Many children with traits associated with autism spectrum disorder receive an ADHD diagnosis - or misdiagnosis - before a pediatrician or developmental specialist con- cludes that it’s autism.
