High Functioning Autism (Aspergers) with ADHD diagnosis

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The oldest who is now 25 has been diagnosed with both. I do think part of what made them diagnose him with ADHD when he was young was actually his inability to deal with all the chaos in the classroom. His reactions were more OMG make it stop than actually being hyper. He did much better once they had him working in the resource room instead of in a classroom all the time. His work also improved when he was somewhere quiet.

He mention he was going to try non stimulant ADHD meds. I think wellbutrin and an anti anxiety med is what he said was suggested.

What has been really hard is there isn't really any program or method for high functioning people with Asperger's you really are sort of left to sort it out for yourself. I don't think that is good at all but the current state of mental health and developmental services is rather screwed up. Too many people on the high functioning end of the spectrum end up trying to fit themselves into society in ways that are really difficult for them but they do them because that is the expected normal life everyone is told you have to lead.

I was suspected as having ADHD in 6th grade but I was diagnosed with ADD when I was ten. I was put on meds for it but they never really worked and whatever treatment I got for it also didn't work. The diagnoses was held off until I was ten because everyone was doing the wait and see approach because I had a language delay and they wanted to see my progress first before diagnosing me because of overlap, especially with auditory processing disorder. I did get easily distracted in class and by noise and movement and I sometimes got hyper or anxious. But then again I have known about ASD kids who get hyper due to being over stimulated because of people and noise.

I think some of my ASD features were mistaken for ADD so the misdiagnoses happened. Also the fact I did good on the tests so they couldn't see ASD and part of the testing is to rule out ASDs. If I did good with picture story telling, picture sequence, facial expressions, etc. they would have ruled it out but then no one knew why I was having social problems and other things and why the treatment wasn't working and why the pills were not working so I was on a bunch of pills in 5th grade and I felt so broken because of so many pills. A lot of them were vitamins. Then I was taken off all those in 6th grade and only put on one pill finally after being given the proper diagnoses and it worked well. Everyone finally had their answer.

I have been on anti depressants and anti anxiety pills after the diagnoses and that was it. But before then I am not sure what I was on. I was on cylert and I am not sure what else. I was on some different pill at the beginning of six grade but the side affects of them gave me seizures because I would have anxiety from the teasing. But funny enough none of my seizures would happen at home so they were only in school when they happened. I currently take no meds right now.

My son does as well. I don't want him on meds for the autism.

https://pages.giveforward.com/other/page-86s3dl5/

My son was diagnosed with ADHD up until he was 12 (last year). As he went through puberty, more anxiety and rigid behaviors seemed to appear. Maybe we missed these behaviors all along, I don't know, but recently some doctors have suggested mild ASD while some said he has ADHD with sensory issues and anxiety.
The thing is, he was always on target and even advanced with communicating. He has a very funny, playful (and quirky) sense of humor and understands sarcasm and irony. Also, his IQ is in the high range of normal and he's gifted in math. Apparently the latest DSM has changed the criteria for mild autism. I don't know a lot about this and could be wrong, but I believe they no longer call it Asperger's and the criteria to be placed on the spectrum has broadened.
His current psychiatrist explained that people with very, very mild ASD can appear to have normal communication skills and frequently are highly intelligent. This psych said, in my son's case, it's almost impossible to unravel the symptoms he presents as being ADHD or ASD. He diagnosed him as having a combination of ADHD/mild autism/anxiety. We actually appreciated the mild autism diagnosis even if it isn't correct since the school will provide more support for that on his IEP!

To answer your question, Vyvanse (stimulant for ADHD) has been a life saver for my son. Whether or not he has combined ADHD/autism or just ADHD, the stimulant allows him to focus and reduces the sensory distractions. If he misses a day of Vyvanse he can't function at all in school. Literally, his IEP specialist will call me and ask if he forgot to take his med in the morning...it's that obvious. He doesn't have a lot of hyperactivity but is very distracted without meds. Anti-anxiety medication has also calmed down the anxiety (mild meltdowns). I know a couple other moms of chidlren with combined ADHD/autism and their kids benefit from ADHD meds. I hope this is helpful!

I'd go with what his psychiatrist says.

He also has depression so it is even more complicated than ADHD and High Functioning Autism.

My son (14) has NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disability) and ADHD. NLD is similar in presentation to AS, and some argue they are the same thing. He took stimulant medications when younger. They helped his hyperactivity, impulsivity and intrusive behavior. He has been off them for years, but is considering trying them again to help him with focus.

There is a lot of overlap between the two, and sometimes I can't tell where one ends and the other begins. The executive functioning issue is definitely a huge overlap. I have EF problems and "behavioral" techniques have been helpful, though not in the reward/consequence sense. More in the establishment of routines and patterns sense. It is just very hard to maintain because it is not my natural way of being.

My relative cannot take ADHD meds. They cause him to perseverate too much.