Was at the doctors today to see about getting an ADD diagnostic check.

I already have "Aspergers Syndrome" on the "Autistic Spectrum"

And I was reading up about ADD for months, and collected as much info about AADD as I could.

Then when I found out the connection between AS and ADD, it hit the nail on the head..... "I HAVE IT!!" :eek:

Anyway, back on topic... I went to the doctors too see about getting checked up about it, and I told him about all the symptoms I have, and how it is effecting my life.

Im struggling at work staying on task and not talking all the time, like I did all the way through school....

And the first thing the doc says to me is... "what good will another label do?" :mad:

Then he told me to get in touch with my psycologist again, whom ive already explained this problem too, and she just told me the exact same thing last time!! :mad:

Im helpless trying to get help. :(

I'm sorry to hear that, and sorry to hear that the doctor and psychologist only see the diagnoses as labels. http://addforums.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif

Maybe you could try telling them that you don't think all your problems can be explained by the Asperger and that you would like to be able to deal with those that aren't too. If they dismiss you request that they tell you the reason why they don't think you have ADHD e.g. the problem at hand could be a part of Asperger as well. They should also know that to go through the diagnosing procedure does not equal getting a diagnoses so they should have good reasons if they decide against it.

the confusing part is the fact that under the DSM-IV you can't have a DX of AS and ADHD at the same time.

Common sense says the reality must be that it is possible to have AS and ADHD. The doctor knows this.

One issue is that some aspies are ADHD-like by reason of their autism, but certainly some must qualify as having genuine ADHD. The doctor probably knows this too.

Tell your doctor/psychologist/psychiatrist that you don't care about the label, but you would really like some help getting relief from your ADD-like symptoms. :) See where that gets you. :)


good luck

ME :D

If you're trying to get treatment, then you should be able to get it under the AS diagnosis. It seems that quite a few with AS labels only get treatment for their related ADD symptoms.

He is correct in a sense... but one must realize that not everyone sees ADD symptoms as being associated with Asperger's syndrome, so another label might make it more explicit to those not as knowledgeable.