I’m new with so many questions... | ADHD Information

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I have a son who is ADHD with a little depression, anxiety and oppositional thrown in. I have a teacher who has mentioned autism, but at this point, I just laugh. I think these kids are often a mixed bag, and it changes. My son was very impulsive, and still is, but it's changed a lot. I describe the difference between ADHD and other issues, like ODD like this. If my son comes running in the office and crashes into the door so hard it falls off the track, I have to figure out whether his hyperactivity is too hard for him to control, OR, is it the oppositional/destructive and is he trying to harm something. Often, with ADHD, kids might hurt themselves or knock things over only because their energy is spouting out faster than their brain can manage. It's also something that is almost all the time, except for TV or electronics that captivate their brain. Sitting down for a meal is very hard for an ADHD kid.

My son is on 3 meds and things are much better. He is pretty happy and adjusting to things pretty well. I've spent a lot of time trying to find "triggers" to his behavior and to find things that motivate him. That tells me what he is capable of.  For instance, I'll offer him a new lego set if he does such and such. If he does it, I know he has that control. If he doesn't, I know he is doing his best in that area and needs help.

Best of luck.

Hello everyone,

First off, I have a daughter who is diagnosed with ADHD, inattentive type.  She is seven years old and just finished the first grade.  She has very obvious issues with attention, organization and getting her work done... 

Ever since my daughter was a baby, I can remember having a feeling in my gut that something was a little different about her.  I have two other children and I find myself constantly worrying about her...

To give you some background, my daughter has always been in a regular classroom, she has never been on meds and overall, she is a happy, thriving kid.  Growing up I kept record of things that concerned me.  She was always hyper and into everything, not the typical way children are, she has always been very extreme.  I describe her like a wind up toy, once she gets wound up, there is no coming down until she is ready.  She had some minor problems with speech development.  She was not delayed but she was different.  Its hard to put my finger on it, but the best way I can describe it as "talking" is not a natural process for her.... but she does talk and does a lot of it.  She comes across as someone who tends to over think everything she says and it seems to take longer to process everything. 

She is very smart and active.  She loves gymnastics and soccer and playing on the swings.  I wouldn't consider her unsocial but there are subtle issues.  It looks like she has a hard time approaching kids.  Seems though, as soon as someone approaches her, she is ok.  All the while, she is very loud, happy, and really enjoys being around people.  She she is in no way shy.

She has been screened for autism, which I was actually "sure" she had but she wasnt given the diagnosis.  She ended up with ADHD.  Which is ok, because, from what I can tell, that is definitely an issue I am concerned with as well.

The reason I here is because I am very curios about the differences between ADHD and ASD.  It seems like they can be almost the same thing???  When I read about one, I feel like I am reading about the other.

The doctors that assessed my daughter agreed she had some ASD symptoms but didn't feel she had enough to consider the diagnosis.  My daughter has no problems with eye contact, routines, obsessions, showing affection... what I am told are the "core" symptoms.  Is it possible to be ADHD and have some ASD traits and not be on the spectrum?  Is there any black/white that can help me out?  I am so confused. 

I also have another question, my daughter has some sort of tic... I am not positively sure what it is but after she says a sentence, she repeats the last few words back to herself in a soft whisper.  She has no idea its happening unless someone points it out to her.  She get horribly embarrassed and its really starting to bother her.  Has anyone seen anything like this???  Can anyone tell me what this is???  A tic?  Something to do with ADHD/ ASD???  It kind of looks like she may be processing what she just said but I cant say for sure.

Thank you all for reading, I am all worked up over all this.  I am overwhelmed and very confused.... 

[QUOTE=kris30]

I also have another question, my daughter has some sort of tic... I am not positively sure what it is but after she says a sentence, she repeats the last few words back to herself in a soft whisper.  She has no idea its happening unless someone points it out to her.  She get horribly embarrassed and its really starting to bother her.  Has anyone seen anything like this???  Can anyone tell me what this is???  A tic?  Thank you all for reading, I am all worked up over all this.  I am overwhelmed and very confused.... 

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OMG!! My son did the exact same thing at the exact same age! I have never heard anyone else talk about this!  I don't think I would call it a 'tic', I kinda thought it was his way of dealing with whatever was going on inside his head - like they are checking to be sure they said the right thing.  The good news is that it does go away - we just woke up one day and it was gone.  So keep the faith - laugh about it and don't worry!!