Does anyone have any idea if ADD mothers are more likely to have autistic or Asperger's kids than non-ADD moms? I ask because I am very likely ADD (get test results back soon, but really I have no doubt), and have a daughter (age 5) who is HFA (That is her dx but she seems more Asperger's to me as her only language issue is pragmatics and she was a very early talker, uses words and phrases way beyond her years). Anyone know? Thanks for any info.....

ETA I forgot to mention that many of her traits remind me of me, times ten. Are ADD and autism related?

Asberger's is really just another name for HFA (I assume you're referring to high-functioning autism).

While someone with ADD is more likely to have autism than someone without ADD, it's not actually related. The thing to keep in mind is that the brain is a pretty complex system, and when there is one thing wrong with it, it is pretty likely there will be at least one other thing wrong. At least 50% of people with a disorder have more than one.

BUT.... it is also possible that your daughter is more ADD than autistic. The two can look a lot alike in some children and diagnosing children (especially that young) can be tricky.

Autism definitely has a genetic component; almost everything does, but it's not as strong as the ADD heritability rate (which, at its current estimates of 75-85% comes close to being the most heritable psychological disorder).

Considering how common they both are today, it certainly wouldn't hurt for you to file that thought away for later. She may benefit from treatment at some point in the future....

Good luck!

Thanks, barbyma, for your reply. The thought has crossed my mind before that she may be ADD, but is it common for ADD kids to have sensory issues (olfactory, tactile defensiveness, auditory sensitivity)? Also, she did and does the whole lining up thing, and perseverates on topics like nobody's business, lots of phrase repitition. But OCD runs strong in my husband's family. Could it be that ADD with OCD looks like autism? But then what about the low muscle tone and hand flapping, picky eating and temper tantrums that lasted hours? I find this all very fascinating but confusing, too. :confused:

Thanks, barbyma, for your reply. The thought has crossed my mind before that she may be ADD, but is it common for ADD kids to have sensory issues (olfactory, tactile defensiveness, auditory sensitivity)? Also, she did and does the whole lining up thing, and perseverates on topics like nobody's business, lots of phrase repitition. But OCD runs strong in my husband's family. Could it be that ADD with OCD looks like autism? But then what about the low muscle tone and hand flapping, picky eating and temper tantrums that lasted hours? I find this all very fascinating but confusing, too. :confused:It is VERY common for ADD kids to have sensory issues.

You're right that lining up toys is both an autistic trait and an OCD trait, but it doesn't have to be either. My 5yo, like my husband, exhibits some compulsive behaviors (like lining up and touching everything), but I really don't think he'll develop OCD. He's not ADD, by the way. He dodged that bullet!

Perseveration is much more an ADD or Bipolar thing, but phrase repetition also sounds more like OCD. Autistics usually repeat what others say, not their own words (I may have misunderstood you).

Hand flapping is a little harder to categorize. It's an obvious autistic trait, but there are so many possibilities.

Temper tantrums can come with any disorder. Simple frustration can be at the root of those as well as the picky eating, but what 5yo isn't picky?

It doesn't really sound like you have a misdiagnosis, but it may not be a complete one. If she does have a mild autism, she may also have ADHD. It's a little more difficult to tell at that age unless she's extremely hyperactive. Otherwise, it usually doesn't pose a problem until 1st or 2nd grade or even later.

My best advice is to just trust your daughter's doctor and keep in mind that diagnosing and treating these things in children is not easy and often takes time.

Hang in there.

Thanks, Barb!:)

Hi Emily.

Barb is right, you girl sounds a little more like ADD than autistic, however have you considered geting her assessed for Sensory Integration Disorder....it does sound like she might have it.

Usually the repetition of one's own words can be described as a tic and is normally a symptom of Tourette Syndrome and it's called palilalia, like Barb said it's not really an autistic symptom, like I said before it might be worth getting her assessed for SID.

Selena:)

Perserveration is also a symptom of FLS (frontal lobe syndrome) if by any chance she has ever had a head injury, that might be something to investigate as well. My hubby has a suspected mild case of FLS- if you wish to PM me and discuss the syndrome, I am open to that :)