I have ADHD, OCD and some aspergers problems but I'm not actually aspergers. I do however, understand the way autistic people think and I can relate to a lot of what they say. I was wondering how many of you are part Aspergers/autistic/PDD-NOS?

No one will label me as Aspergers, but they go as far as saying I share characterists of Aspergers. Not that I want the "diagnosis." But I proceed under the illusion that understanding sometimes provides opportunity for choice, which is close enough to control.

I reckon there should be an ADD subtype called "ADHD-Aspergers subtype" and I think that would explain a lot more that just being told that we are aspergers' like or share characteristics of AS. Basically, we're special! Are you born in 1975? I am.

Interestingly, many disorders share similar traits...making accurate diagnosis even more difficult.

Yes, traits do not map one to one to disorders. Oh how simple things would be if they did!

My '75 comes from Freshman year at college, when I picked up the nick name for riding a unicycle on campus at KU. I'm a slightly older model than are you... :)

I came to this forum because of a daughter with ADHD, but this topic caught my eye because I have another daughter who displays several Asperger's tendencies. The daughter with AS tendencies has not actually been diagnosed with AS, nor has it been ruled out. I am rather curious to see just exactly how close she may be to AS, if not in fact a true Aspie. A lot of what I've read on the diagnosis criteria has been a bit muddled to me. Particularly with respect to early language development, or what-have-you. You see, this particular daughter did have a language delay, but not as a result of inability to articulate the words. There was this problem with understanding what was being said to her and her being able to express herself verbally. Basically, although her verbal skills have greatly improved over the years, there is actually a whole communication issue going on with her. One of her greatest problems is the ability to recognize, process, and act on others' non-verbal communications. Of course there are other things that seem AS-like.

These things are best diagnosed as early as possible. My suggestion is to contact your local autistic association and get the name of a specialist who can look at your child and tell you yes or no.

Autistic Association? I had no idea! This is daughter is 14 now and she is seeing a psychiatrist and a counselor, both located in the same office. The counselor and I spent a whole session discussing it. The counselor downplayed the possibility at first because she said AS is the "diagnosis of the day" sort of thing. But she did open up a book that she had and we spent the entire time trying to decide whether or not it warranted further investigation. There are a number of AS traits that do not apply to my daughter, but a lot of it would clearly explain a great deal of the problems my daughter has had all of her life. How valuable would a diagnosis be?

I guess the real question is...what could it hurt?

Knowing if your daughter has AS may open the way for any number of strategies and ideas to help accomodate her new diagnosis.

IMHO, its always better to know for sure, rather than perhaps think it might or might not be - only further delaying potentially valuable assistance.

Links on this and related subjects are available on the web, and at:
http://www.bigsplace.com/Aspergers-Autism.html

The diagnosis doesn't matter in my opinion. The strategies for the features she shares do.

That is all that matters. IMHO

You know, guys, you have re-opened the issue for me. I had let it drop after that visit with the counselor. One of the questions that the counselor asked me was why would I want to get a diagnosis. I told her that knowing what the problem is would help in knowing how to deal with it. Of course, as we went through the book and found a number of traits that I could definitely rule out, I believed that it was probably a waste of time to pursue it. Now I'm thinking it would be better to know for sure. The counseling that my daughter is receiving has helped her tremendously, but this is now. If my daughter really does has AS, then she'll probably deal with more problems later as a result. Knowing what the problem is now can give her an advantage. Thanks guys. Next psych visit, I'll be bringing it up.

I guess i don't want to stir in the pot. I'd feel badly if I contributed to increased anxiety, tension, and discord.

If it quacks like a duck, see if it likes to eat duck food. IMHO. If it looks like it might be cold and could use a layer, offer it a sweater.

Sometimes, just let it be.

Peace. David

Hi Jo Anna,

I think you are wise to explore it. If not for your management of her, but for her own understanding of herself. I know that things made more sense to me once I was diagnosed with ADHD, then later OCD. If she knows she can seek out others like herself and possibly access things like independant living resources and job finding resources later in life.

David,

Don't worry, you haven't added increased anxiety, tension or discord. I'm coasting with my 14 y-o daughter right now because she is doing so well, but I would rather head off any future crises if it is within my power.

So David and tudorose, just out of curiosity, if you don't mind sharing, what AS traits do you have?

For me - I get meltdowns, rages, non-dominant hemisphere dysfunction (that means that I can't understand non verbal communication very well), taking things literally, lack of eye contact, occasional flapping, lack of social understanding (coming across and naieve), fascinated by spinning objects and christmas lights, need to have things a certain way, perseverative thinking and I can't remember anything else at the moment. Oh yeah and strange ability to remember numbers and patterns.

MY ASPERGERS traits: I thin kt he point is the point. Tears, emotional demands, etc., are NO REASON for letting go aof a compleing arguement (single scope, non-context influenced activity.)

I have about 5 or 6 separate problems that all lead to the same bad end allong the path of human understanding.

I can't see by looking, how someone is feeling. When I can, it doesn't change my impression of what i should do. Or I knwo I should do SOMETING different, but I have no idea what or in what direction or how far to go. or i even know what to do, and I have no compasion to do it, becuase it is THEIR problem, they should suck it up and do the right thing. All different steps along the process of human intereaction, all with a disconnect.

I cross boundaries of thought (not context controled) and see minor details out of place (moives ... the microphone dip ins, the glasses of water that fill and low with impossible timing, etc.)

I see single character errors in pages of code, including HTML, but cant spell Phyct (fish).

There's more. but that is a start.

Thank you for sharing. Some of your traits my 14 y-o daughter also shares:

Originally posted by tudorose
For me - I get meltdowns, rages, non-dominant hemisphere dysfunction (that means that I can't understand non verbal communication very well)

Yes

[i]taking things literally[/B]

Yes, but counseling is helping, so does that rule that out?

[i]lack of eye contact[/B]

There is no lack of eye contact toward me. I don't know about with others. My daughter doesn't think so.

[i]occasional flapping[/B]

No

[i]lack of social understanding (coming across and naieve) [/B]

Yes, definitely.

[i]fascinated by spinning objects and christmas lights [/B]

Not sure about this, but TV totally absorbs her more so than any other kid I've met.

[i]need to have things a certain way[/B]

This used to be true, but can't tell if it holds at all any more. Does that rule this out?

[i]perseverative thinking [/B]

I gather this means that once a topic gets your attention, you have trouble letting go of it. If that is the case, then this would apply to an extent. My daughter doesn't seem to know when to drop it, but she will drop it after it is brought to her attention.

[i]Oh yeah and strange ability to remember numbers and patterns. [/B]

She is good with numbers and patterns -- not sure if exceptionally so, but good at math, which males rather than females are usually good at.

One other thing, I read a book written by a woman with AS (I can't remember the title), but she remembers as a child creating elaborate things with aluminum foil, more for the act than the end result. My daughter has done similar but using paper. She has built detailed, remarkable cities and play items, such as dog food, dog bed, etc. for her stuffed animals and toy horses (barn, horse feed, etc). My daughter, like the author of that book, is also musically inclined and artistically inclined. Oh, and my daughter really loves animals. She can relate better to animals than humans.

Do any of those traits apply to you guys as well?

Ya, I can't maintain eye contact and think my thoughts. a person's face is too distracting or gets in the way of the ideas. When I'm talking to someone, or listening, i have to look away, often, but not all the time. Sometoimes i am overl intensely focused on them.

I relate very well to dogs. It gets notice from people other than my family. I "know" what it feels like to move like a squirl, goat, a few other animals. It is as if i am looking at myself moving. i sometimes think of dogs as non-verbal (non-speaking) people. children just before they start to speak, listen with complete understanding. I think of that as a very interesting time, related to these other things.

I understand the dogs well and relate to the cat well. In fact, I can speak fluent 'cat' and have an entire conversation with the cat in her own language.

Also, just because she doesn't exhibit certain traits any more does not necessarily rule them out. My son used to flap a lot but doesn't anymore, but it counted in his diagnosis of autism. Basically, without your intervention, some of the characteristics would still be present.

I am musically and artistically inclined. I was top student in music and photography at school and I did my degree in photography and film-making.

Perseverative thinking - as in not being able to see anything else when I've set my mind t something or got an idea/opinion about something.

Originally posted by Wheel1975
Ya, I can't maintain eye contact and think my thoughts. a person's face is too distracting or gets in the way of the ideas. When I'm talking to someone, or listening, i have to look away, often, but not all the time. Sometoimes i am overl intensely focused on them.

I agree with the "can't maintain eye contact and think my thoughts." I thought that was true for everyone. In fact, staring at someone's eyes too long is even a bit intimidating. What I do when I'm conversing and needing to think at the same time is to look away while I'm thinking and then look back at their face in general (I seldom stare right into someone's eyes unless I'm trying to make a serious point) once I've gathered my thoughts.:)

Jo Ann - Have you ruled out Nonverbal Learning Disorders? (NLD or NVLD) They often manifest similar to ADD (problems with organsiation and problems in school, social problems), can often occur alongside ADD and they do also share some traits with AS, namely the naivety, problems with eye contact, nonverbal communication, visualisation, bad motor skills and co-ordination etc.

I do have all these problems, but to such a low degree that I don't think you can speak of a "Disability" and it also doesn't explain the severity of my anxiety, organisational struggle and social problems. "Pure" NLDers lack imagination, can't draw, are extremely gullible and naive and generally don't have a lot of ideas of their own = I wouldn't be the opinionated b**h that I am if the nonverbal problems were strong enough to have caused the chaos in my head! :p


I'm an only child but my parents always put me in various groups etc., and my problems socialising and the way I live "Inside my head" (constantly thinking) most of the time is a lot stronger than "normal" with only children.

I also have a lot of the typical ADD traits, and I guess I'm quite "lucky" to have them balance somewhat in me, as the autistic traits (well maybe I'm just particularly introverted?) and fear of confrontation often stop me from saying or doing things impulsively. However it also means that I internalise a heck of a lot of anger and frustration, so I'm permanently anxious and preoccupied with fear and worry.

It's like there's a tug-o-war gong on inside my head, between the outspoken, loud, impulsive "ADD rebel" who wants to be outgoing, speak their mind and shock people and the quiet, reclusive "autist" who just wants to be left alone and is overwhelmed by the outside world most of the time.

To people who don't know me, I appear extremely shy and "spacey" nowadays but I know that as a child I was not naturally shy - is it possible that ADD can lead to the development of such autistic traits in some people (while it leads to defiant and aggressive traits in others)?

I'm currently trying to find someone who can actually tell me what's going on in my head!

Cool.

I'll play.

You tell I listen and ask more questions at the edges.

You end up telling your story, and being able to hear it too...

Be sure to be in counseling first though, so if you dig up something that you need to talk about with a counselor, you already have one lined up.

:)

You sound, something like my own experience, though more intense in that particulars, but not more intense, than my experience. if that makes sense to you?

Originally posted by Sc@tterBr@in_UK
is it possible that ADD can lead to the development of such autistic traits in some people (while it leads to defiant and aggressive traits in others)?

I'm currently trying to find someone who can actually tell me what's going on in my head!

ADD and autism are related disorders. Some people are more 'autistic' than others. Also - defiant and aggressive traits are quite commonly seen in autism (autistic rages) which is why a lot of them are medicated with Risperdal.

The thing between a diagnosis of ADD or autism is this - autistics have trouble with 'theory of mind', spontaneus, expressive mannerisms and they are extremely literal. Basically if you can take two objects in front of you, give them characters and make up a fantastic story, and then tell that story to someone with expression, then it's not autism.

Wheel - I shall respond to you on the other thread, but yes I would love to bounce some ideas off you. It's always good to hear that others grew up with similar experiences, and maybe share some of the mess that is in my head.

One of these days I'll get around posting in the introductions thread :rolleyes: ;)

tudorose - I guess I was just a late bloomer as far as these things were concerned. As I said before, I do to some degree still have problems with taking things at face value, and being a bit naive.

I also wasn't particularly aware of how what I did, said or looked like affected others (I didn't start even faintly getting interested or even really noticing what clothes I wore or what my hair looked like until I was about 14 or 15, which is late for a girl even 10 years ago, and definitely "ancient" by today's standards ;) ), and I was often bossy and demanding as a kid, unable to understand why people didn't just do as I said.

I was loud, bossy and a bit obnoxious, didn't conform with standards of social mannerisms (to this day I can usually manage a "Good morning" or "Hello" but say "How are ya" to me and I'm frozen inside), body language and so on.

However, something eventually snapped inside and I became more and more withdrawn, and the anxiety and extreme caution I used to show towards things I perceived as a danger from experience (heights, cars, tram rails that made me fall off my bike etc.) started to be applied to other people as well.

At the same time I also managed to build up quite a good decoy to the outside world, making it look like I'm "there" and acting normally/paying attention (although I still can't stop myself from picking scabs and fiddling with by face when I'm sat on a bus or even at work sometimes) while inside I'm miles away. I put some effort into how I look (although going to the hairdresser is still a chore for me, and the makeup phase was short-lived, as were some bizarre dieting phases) and I'd say I've developed quite a decent sense of fashion, although how I look or act towards others is still not very high on my list of priorities.

Not sure about the stories - I used to have a lot of fantasy, but that was very abstract and bizarre stuff, I used to sit in my pram and hum/sing to myself a lot, then started drawing and I often walked around proclaiming I was some object or other (like a toy lorry that I was a bit obsessed with at the time, or a stick of wood, or a cuddly toy), which got me my fair share of weird looks on the playground ;)

But actually making up and telling stories was something I had to learn from scratch before starting high school, because we had to start writing essays. I still find it difficult to come up with a story or a character, but with a little input (being told what to write about) I got quite good at it.

Originally posted by tudorose
I reckon there should be an ADD subtype called "ADHD-Aspergers subtype" and I think that would explain a lot more that just being told that we are aspergers' like or share characteristics of AS. Basically, we're special! Are you born in 1975? I am.

Graduated high school i 1975... :)

Hi everyone, I'm Danielle, and I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism as a 4 year old, but now believe I have ADHD/Aspergers. I'm 26 now. I remember as a child being ostracized for being 'different.' Socializing is still incredibly difficult for me... and so too is sleeping. I'm a perpetual insomniac.
But I also consider myself incredibly creative. I have about 30 projects going at once, and will probably never finish any. ;) However, I did manage to finish one novel, The Maverick Princess, which is a fantasy and was picked up by a publisher. By this time next year the book should be out.

Welcome to the ADD Forums, danilynnarthur! We would love it if you would post a little about yourself in the Introductions section of the Forums :)

Originally posted by BIG
Welcome to the ADD Forums, danilynnarthur! We would love it if you would post a little about yourself in the Introductions section of the Forums :)

Andrew, I already did.....
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=611

And in the "Chit-Chat" forum I posted the reason why I hadn't posted in 6 mos. :D

yes ok...:o So I'm getting a little senile in my old age:rolleyes: lol

So...would you like a refund for your extra welcome? :p

Hi Danielle,

How do you cope now? Are you working, living independantly etc?

Originally posted by tudorose
Hi Danielle,

How do you cope now? Are you working, living independantly etc?

Hi Tudorose (love the handle, btw), I'm currently unemployed, but looking for work, and may return to school as soon as my financial situation straightens out. I think I may have an inside track on a job at the local public library, which would actually suit my needs -- lol. I'm also still living at home with my mother, who is also disabled. It's like the blind leading the blind.

Sounds like my house. I have ADD & OCD and bits of AS. Hubby has OCD. Son has Autism & ADD and daughter has ADD & OCD. School holidays was terrible because the routine changed and it was the end of the world. Still waiting for life to get back to normal - about to strangle my son so he'd better get back to normal soon.

Heh. I don't think my psychiatrist is entirely sure whether I'm ADD-inattentive, Asperger's, or something else entirely... I show traits from all of them, and don't show all of the traits from any of them.

Eh, whatever it is, I'm not neurologically typical. And that's what's important. :-D

Heh. I don't think my psychiatrist is entirely sure whether I'm ADD-inattentive, Asperger's, or something else entirely... I show traits from all of them, and don't show all of the traits from any of them.

Eh, whatever it is, I'm not neurologically typical. And that's what's important. :-D
:-D, indeed!
sounds like the "problem" *my* psychiatrist is having with *me*!
:D

I guess this is our introduction. I am Erika mother of Devin 3.5, and spouse to Dan. I am here because I need some input sometimes and this seems like a good place to get some. Devin has been DX with mild microcephaly(small head), severe global delays(he is functioning at a 12-18 month level developmentaly), and last but not least autism.
Devin is doing well and progressing. He is now in pre-school 5 days a week and loves it. He seems to really like his new aide at school. The kids there have also been really great with him. They all know him and most try to interact with him. He also has an aide which takes him for 3 hour in the afternoon, five days a week. She would do his program and special outings, swimming, park, skating, etc . An SLP visits him at school weekly, and an PT and OT come monthly from Calgary.

Devin has gained new skills. These include stacking blocks, blowing, pointing, new signs, coloring, and undressing himself before the bath. Basic understanding and following directions has also improved. His walking has also improved, he gait isnt as wide and he is more steady. A little more sure of himself , but definely room to improve. As it stands he is still at 12-18 month level. Skills are very skattered. He is improving and that is what matters. We are working alot on oral execises, mostly bowing. Hoping that this will impove the muscles in his jaw and help with the drooling and eventually some speech. His words now ar ma-ma, da-da, ya-ya, yeah, yak-yak, other then these it is alot of babbling. He just started saying kik-kee again, for kitty. He does sign and point, but signs usually need cueing. He does drink from a sippy cup , and we are working on an open cup. Potty training is a still in the works. He really dislikes the potty. As of yet there is no pretend play.

As of thus far all of his tests have been normal, aside from the mildmicrocephaly. The MRI in July was also normal. His doctors and specialist all have different opinions on weather he has autism or not. Some think he is in the spectrum others believe he is just acting his developmental age. These concerns are mostly because his eyecontact has improved quite a bit and he is very social and loves attention. The thing is he still doesnt know quite how to interact with others, other then smiles and hugs. He does occasionally pull hair or hit at school, which seems to us that he is just trying to get attention from the person invovled in the incident. Hopefully the confusion of a DX will be resolved soon because I will try to get ABA, which has already been applied for here. But all of his specialists and doctors will have to meet and agree on some DX, which has yet to happen. So i guess we will see.

But all in all he is doing well, happy , usually healthy(coldshttp://sc.groups.msn.com/themes/R9c/pby/img/emoticons/emsad.gif), and progressing:)

There are a lot of these kinds of things in my family. I have Asperger's. My brother has ADHD, my neice has either ADD or ADHD, my nephew possibly has autism (he is only 2).

I just found out I had Asperger's several months ago. When I was going from doctor to doctor as a child, it was not in the diagnostic books. I was surprised to learn how many families out there have a child with Asperger's and a child with ADD/ADHD

I may be HFA. All the facts are not yet in, but something in the autism spectrum seems likely for me.

I do not raqge. I never totally meltdoan, but I overload easily so I have to constantly manage my sensory load and stress levels. When overloaded I can get pretty agitated, but will calm down quicly when I remove myself to a more controlled environment.

I am fascinated with all things technological and have ocd and add traits.

I spometimes "check out" and forget what I am going to say next. If someone tells me the last few words I said I can usually come right back to the subject.

I seem to be more or less equally left-right brained. I am not gifted with math, but seem to understand science , tech , physical thngs and how they should work. I am verbose.

My social skills are moderately good. I seem to be the basic "geek". I still have issues there, but I seem to get by okay.
I can be obsessive, and things sometimes must be done a certain way or they seem inpossible to me.

There is a lot more....


Me :D

I've heard sensory problems were a problem with Aspergers. I dont have any problems with tolerating or reacting to noises, light and stuff. Although I do remember that when i was really young the sound of that game, Operation, with that buzzing noise, or the sound of water going down a drain was tottally. It was like the loudest scraping and screeching noise you could imagine. unbearable. Id leave the room if I saw someone doing that.


lately though, ive ahd a problem which is kind of weird. I find it really hard to switch between listening and seeing something.

For instance, if if I watch something,and someone says something to me with out me expecting it , Il be totally unaware of what Im looking at for a second because all my attention went tottaly from watching to listening. And if im listening to someone I dont pay attention to what im looking at

Alot of the time when I look at something I cant tell what Im looking at for a split second, because all I see is colors and lines before I realize its a tree, a car etc. ..whew...

I'm your basic geek, and still trying to get a diagnosis. I hate fluorescent lights; I can't be around them for too long otherwise my vision feels uncomfortable. I hate spikes in ambient noise, and being around people for too long drains me very quickly. I don't know if I 'melt down' per se, but I do know that when a situation is very emotional for me, I have to get away and be on my own or else. When I do get to be on my own, I sleep. That's my method for dealing with pretty much all overloading events: I go back to my room and sleep it off. My friends tell me that my reactions to things are unbalanced; I underreact toward some things and really overreact to others, but my reactions all make sense to me. I hate being touched by people I don't know and I hate being unexpectedly touched. I also prefer a lot of personal space, to the point where sitting next to total strangers at a table makes me very uncomfortable.

My social skills are convincing if you're around me for a few minutes, but any contact longer than that and you know that I'm not quite NT. I've had years of subconsciously coping, however. I have little mental scripts for various situations and because my dad used to yell at me for not looking people in the eye, I do that almost automatically, though I hate it. I also smile on cue, much like NTs, but it seems fake to me. It's just an automatic thing, with no meaning behind it. More conditioning, I guess. My friends are used to my quirks and since my social circle is pretty small (I have one close friend here and a couple of close acquaintances), interacting with those outside of that circle is difficult because it means explaining certain behaviors and trying to be aware of any non-NT behavior.

My perseverations: microbiology, computers, current events, and trivia. History is also in there somewhere, and it happens to be my major. I also collect maps and issues of National Geographic.

I, depending on whom you ask, have either Asperger's Syndrome, or autism, or PDD-NOS. Regardless what you label it, I exhibit enough signs that there is no doubt that I am on the autism spectrum. While I make eye contact, it is really just forced staring through the other person, and it comes across as being "intense". I am unable to pick up on non-verbal cues, and so am unable to make relationships of the intimate kind. Also, my movements are typical of someone with autism. And, I have had more than my fair share of meltdowns, more than one time on the job I used to have. And as regards conversational ability, that in my case consists mainly in lecturing on a favorite topic of mine. As is characteristic of autism, I find that shifting my attention to something different takes some time. But what intially suggested autism was the fact that I didn't speak until age four and a half. Through most of my k-12 schooling, I was involved with the mental health system, and it didn't make me into a neurologically typical person. And yes, I do have this tendency to perseverate on topics, and that is probably the most noticeable thing about me.... Dave.

I have Asperger traits and my youngest son has been diagnosis ed. Like ADD there are positive aspects.

ackro

That sounds a lot like sensory integration disorder.

Me :D


I've heard sensory problems were a problem with Aspergers. I dont have any problems with tolerating or reacting to noises, light and stuff. Although I do remember that when i was really young the sound of that game, Operation, with that buzzing noise, or the sound of water going down a drain was tottally. It was like the loudest scraping and screeching noise you could imagine. unbearable. Id leave the room if I saw someone doing that.


lately though, ive ahd a problem which is kind of weird. I find it really hard to switch between listening and seeing something.

For instance, if if I watch something,and someone says something to me with out me expecting it , Il be totally unaware of what Im looking at for a second because all my attention went tottaly from watching to listening. And if im listening to someone I dont pay attention to what im looking at

Alot of the time when I look at something I cant tell what Im looking at for a split second, because all I see is colors and lines before I realize its a tree, a car etc. ..whew...

I'm your basic geek, and still trying to get a diagnosis. I hate fluorescent lights; I can't be around them for too long otherwise my vision feels uncomfortable. I hate spikes in ambient noise, and being around people for too long drains me very quickly. I don't know if I 'melt down' per se, but I do know that when a situation is very emotional for me, I have to get away and be on my own or else. When I do get to be on my own, I sleep. That's my method for dealing with pretty much all overloading events: I go back to my room and sleep it off. My friends tell me that my reactions to things are unbalanced; I underreact toward some things and really overreact to others, but my reactions all make sense to me. I hate being touched by people I don't know and I hate being unexpectedly touched. I also prefer a lot of personal space, to the point where sitting next to total strangers at a table makes me very uncomfortable.

My social skills are convincing if you're around me for a few minutes, but any contact longer than that and you know that I'm not quite NT. I've had years of subconsciously coping, however. I have little mental scripts for various situations and because my dad used to yell at me for not looking people in the eye, I do that almost automatically, though I hate it. I also smile on cue, much like NTs, but it seems fake to me. It's just an automatic thing, with no meaning behind it. More conditioning, I guess. My friends are used to my quirks and since my social circle is pretty small (I have one close friend here and a couple of close acquaintances), interacting with those outside of that circle is difficult because it means explaining certain behaviors and trying to be aware of any non-NT behavior.

My perseverations: microbiology, computers, current events, and trivia. History is also in there somewhere, and it happens to be my major. I also collect maps and issues of National Geographic.
This site has taught me the meaning of it's a small world. Almost every single thing you posted describes me, except for the smiling part. I can usually put a real smile on my face unless the conversation lasts more than three minutes, and I'm starting to get really distracted, and hope the other person will stop talking soon.

I have several dx's from several different sources:
School Psychologist: aspergers, borderline adult ADD
Dr. Kent (psychiatrist; was refered to him by school): Panic Disorder
And by primary doctor: Bipolar I

It's been hard over the year's to get help, but now I am getting all the help I need thanks to the doctor, therapist, and the ADD forums. Thanks...

I have an almost 6 yo Autistic son and it was through researching on this subject I discovered I had ADD..It was like someone had turned a light on for me. I also suspect my father has Aspergers...and sense a major family connection here. I have 3 other children and they are all fine.What I find most strange about this all is how I am on the opposite end of the scale when it comes to the world around me...I am so in tune where as he isn't . I sense peoples feelings and character at first glimps...and I get feelings, thats the only way I can descibe them...that something isn't right. I feel the real pain of everything I hear on the news or of what someone has told me as though I have actually experienced it myself....it can be soooo draining...lol. I used to blow it off as being a little too inuitive but now Im not so sure. I have an amazing memory too but it seems to be only with things that are of no use to remember or even things I didn't know I knew, like radio quizes....who wrote such and such or who directed this movie? ...If only I could use this for a better purpose, my school life was so bad that I left at 15. I wish I knew about this earlier in my life so I could have actually stuck with my education.
Anyway...I'm looking forward to us all moving forward, Im not on medication for ADD yet and my son isn't either.... he is making excellent progress at school without meds now that he has been put into a special class in the public system for Autistics and is like a different child now that he knows how to communicate using picture communication. (he is none verbal) I look forward to having some focus so that I can help him better and Im grateful he doesn't know what routine is...lol, Im totally useless with that.

I'm an Aspie. I was dxed at 15 with aspergers disorder. It was fournd thought a psychological test I had at school. Later on, panic disorder and bipolar set in to add into the mix so I have a lot to deal with at one time. The panic attacks and depressions decreased on zoloft but the manias would set in every other month and I still cycled for almost 3 years now. I'm now on risperdal and all seems to be well for the moment. I guess I just found my happy medium.

I'm not aspie but my step-grandfather is highly suspected of having ASD, I'm ADHD/SID with mild tics, my mother is suspected SID, my father is suspected ADHD and my little brother (who has a different dad) has very mild ADD and suspected ODD.

I really strongly suggest that you explore the aspergers syndrome, reason I say this is cause Aspergers is related to the Einstein field. It is considered to be a syndrome that is more advanced then the others strength wise. It can prevent you or your children from having serious problems in the future due to the possiblity of multiple diagnostics before you get a confirmed diagnosis.

I"v had aspergers for nearly 20+ years and I at age 27 now was only confirmed to have it confirmed a year ago (even though I was diagnosed with alot of the others) which means that it screwed up my life, my personal life, my educational knowledge in (the school education system) which lacked the funds and support to find my area of strengths till it was too late. Thank god I decided to personally learn my strengths on my own to have a pretty decent life (except the school years) Now due to my own willing to investigate on my strengths I am an expert on internet research, internet marketing, internet businesses, web design (programming included) blogging, rss, internet security, SEO (search engine optimization) I know I probably gone over your head already :0) But this is an example of what aspergers is, you find a strength which is odd and the normal people do not understand it even though it's 100% legal and confirmed by the chain of commerce and other places.

I am both. I know several people like me. For the most part we are rarely diagnosed...

My entire life is built around building predictive models to understand the world around me :)

OOH OOH!! If you are counting people with autism spectrum disorders in combination with attention deficite then you may as well count me in! I too have the strange thing about patterns, the melt downs, the ability to be completely logical and then reverse into the completely irrational. I have also noticed that sometimes I will look at a math problem, not knowing anything about it, and all of a sudden just have the answer. Its very intermitant, and their seems to be no real conection to anything external when I do it. Am I crazy?

ADHD but i have asperger tendincies im not diagnosed though i do have asperger behaviors though.

As I said in my last post..I'm not Asperger/ASD but I may some very mild traits due to the SID component of my diagnosis (mind you only the ADHD is formally dxd and the SID was found purely by accident)

Selena

Someone suggested my oldest granddaughter might have ADHD and in researching it I felt like it described me awfully well. But there were some things that the ADHD didn't explain about me. Then we started taking my youngest granddaughter to a therapist who thinks she is probably Autistic (he wants us to get a diagnosis from a specialist in children's neurological disorders). The more I read about Autism and Asperger's syndromes, the more of that I see as explaining the things about me that ADHD doesn't quite explain. And throw in Sensory Disorder as icing on the cake of many layers, well it's quite a package. I don't have health insurance to pay for a diagnosis or treatment, so will continue to read and educate myself and look for supplements that I can afford to take.

It makes me so sad that I lived with guilt for 50+ years because my parents didn't have any idea about these neurological disorders and neither did my ex-hubby. The more my daughter learns about these disorders the better she can cope with me and my instant rages and other troubling behaviors. And I feel relieved to let go of the guilt because I can't "control" myself better. Finding answers and ways to deal with the problem instead of feeling guilty is so much better, eh.