Is there any possibility that ADHD and Autism can exist within the same person?
Asked by
Drush545 (
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December 9th, 2014
I think that maybe the two often coincide with each other. Like, it’s sometimes a package deal, so to speak. I believe that both are caused by similar so called “malfunctions” in the brain and therefore can sometimes co-exist with each other.. I think I may be a prime example of this because while I do have temporary impairment as far as focus is concerned, I can also hyper focus at times and for days on end..They gave me medication for both ADD and Autism and it turned me into an intellectual zombie so I ceased taking them. That was 5 months ago and now I feel like I am quickly beginning to exceed to a degree that I never thought possible.
Update : I seem to have numerous side-effects of both because I am totally socially inept yet I have focus problems but at the same time I wield the ability to hyper focus.
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7 Answers
Yes, autism is often associated with other psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, OCD, and phobias. Source.
Speaking from personal experience, in regards to not one but two family members who were diagnosed from a very young age, yes, I can tell you, they do seem to go hand in hand. Not just ADHD, but OCD and such too, like @FireMadeFlesh mentioned.
Yes, it is very common and will likely to later be found as a part of the same spectrum. Often Asperger’s/HFA (high functioning autism) is missed in younger kids and/or mistaken for ADD/ADHD and then re- or duly diagnosed at the onset of adolescence. As with any person, anything is possible because as with any human, we all bring unique characteristics and combinations of characteristics, and there are so many constantly changing variables that shape who we are.
And you are NOT completely socially inept. You brought an issue into a public forum, that’s certainly something.
Personally I think ADHD is over diagnosed and often is more in line with certain personality types than true brain dysfunction. Autism is completely different of course, but…I would start with personality profiling first. I am a female ENTP ( extroverted, intuitive, thinking, perceiving. ) Intuitive Perceivers are notoriously scattered but very intelligent as well.
I always joke about being half brilliant and half completely ditzy. NP types make many, seemingly disparate connections that often evade others more linear thought processes and can easily jump from topic to topic with ease. You may be an introverted NP personality which would account for feeling socially awkward but certainly not any reflection on your intelligence.
NP types are often called ” The absent minded professors” very bright but easily distracted as our brains fire at warp speed. I’d take the Meyers/Briggs personality assessment before you self diagnose issues that may not truly exist.
Oops..my mistake, I see that you say ” they” gave you medication for both disorders. Pffft…I support you stopping the drugs, and investigate my sharings. I think psych meds are far too often overused and abused by the psychiatric profession.
@Coloma: Your concluding thought about psych meds is spot on. Too often they are handed out, almost like candy to people who truly do not need them. I also endorse pursuit of an accurate Meyers-Briggs Type Assessment as the best next step. Speaking as a Meyers-Briggs INTP, Intuitive Perceivers are frequently misunderstood by those who are neither. Through the years, I have seen firsthand that strong NP tendencies in one’s makeup too often lead to the person being seen as either autistic or otherwise mentally retarded just because the individual doesn’t “think right”, i.e. like everyone else.
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