Asperger Syndrome Support Group
Asperger syndrome - also referred to as Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's, Aspergers or just AS - is one of five neurobiological pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and is characterized by deficiencies in social and communication skills, normal to above normal intelligence, and standard language development.
I'm not denying the reality of co-morbidity, but is ADD or ADHD really as closely co-occurring as many think?
It seems that AS would complicate a case of ADD to me, and here's why: people with ADD tend to be good at multitasking, whereas those with AS (specifically) can only focus on one thing--I know that's how I am.
What's more, the wandering eye of an AS or the seeming dissociated aloofness of an autistic, I think, is more likely to be disinterest in what is going on, as it has nothing to do with what the autistic is interested in, or perhaps one thing in the environment has captured the attention of the autistic.
People with ADD are said to "notice everything", and while high functioning autistics are often noted to be aware of things others are not, I think it has more to do with the fact that whatever they're "noticing" has more to do with their field of interest than literally everything else.
Ultimately, it comes down to this: it seems to me that an autistic can only concentrate on one or two things at once, and foregos giving anything else a second thought, whereas the ADD person simply doesn't know what to pay attention to first.
It could even be said that AS is actually what people think ADD is.
That's my assessment, what say you, everyone?
It seems that AS would complicate a case of ADD to me, and here's why: people with ADD tend to be good at multitasking, whereas those with AS (specifically) can only focus on one thing--I know that's how I am.
What's more, the wandering eye of an AS or the seeming dissociated aloofness of an autistic, I think, is more likely to be disinterest in what is going on, as it has nothing to do with what the autistic is interested in, or perhaps one thing in the environment has captured the attention of the autistic.
People with ADD are said to "notice everything", and while high functioning autistics are often noted to be aware of things others are not, I think it has more to do with the fact that whatever they're "noticing" has more to do with their field of interest than literally everything else.
Ultimately, it comes down to this: it seems to me that an autistic can only concentrate on one or two things at once, and foregos giving anything else a second thought, whereas the ADD person simply doesn't know what to pay attention to first.
It could even be said that AS is actually what people think ADD is.
That's my assessment, what say you, everyone?
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I find myself going places in the car and not wanting to get out of the car. I come back home and I don't want to get out of the car. I think it's the only time I spend reflecting. Chronic tiredness from Long Covid plus the immunosupressing meds for my Crohn's is slowing me down but everything just seems a massive effort. I am dealing with the paperwork following my father's death but it's not...
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Wow, it's the middle of the week already!Today is our 11 year anniversary, so we're going out to a nice dinner. I'm losing a lot of sleep these days, hence a wonky schedule and uncomfortable feelings. But I know it will pass, eventually.I hope all of you have a peaceful day, and may good things come your way!
Back in late 2011, the first pyschologist that I saw that diagnosed "probable Aspergers" told me that ADD and Aspergers was on a continuum.
I think a lot of the symptoms overlap at times. You said people with ADD are able to multi-task--those who have ADD really don't multi-task very well--they just go from project to project.
I was diagnosed a couple of times with attention deficit and even was on medication for it. Two TOVA (not sure spelling is right) that test for ADD said I don't have it. I do how ever struggle with attention, focus, concentration....I can be all over the place, or I can hyperfocus.
I haven't read the research closely...I think both ADD and Aspergers have the executive function/process piece....the book "LIVING WELL ON THE SPECTRUM" by Valerie Gaus explains it well.
That's my 2 cents worth.
Moe
I'd dispute the assertion that aspies are good at multi-tasking.
The classic aspie trait is an ability to do one thing and not be distracted. Also there is stuff in the diagnostics about dropping things when doing something else.
This quote from it represents what I just learned last week. I was belatedly sad that someone didn't listen to what I was trying to say, so I discussed it with my husband who told me that people do not want to hear a whole discourse without getting a word in edgewise, so they tune out. He told me to just give a quick sentence to introduce the topic I wanted to discuss, then let them respond, and back and forth. That is the way NT's talk, he said.
So, the quote:
"If an Aspies talks on and on in an unmodulated voice about his particular interest, he simply does not understand that he is boring his friend and showing disinterest in his friend's side of the conversation."
But I will backtrack now. Maybe it depends on the type of Aspie we're talking about. If the model holds true that I felt describes me best: that autistics can be hypo or hyper or normal with respect to each of the senses, then maybe they can be hyperactive, too.
I have just felt that my ability to focus and not be diverted by anything was a result of my ASD, but would be far from what you would expect from an ADD individual.