Inability to plan or set goals

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Goal setting is somewhat easy. Sharing them and keeping track of them aren't. I like to keep my goals private.

Asperger's ultimately mean that the brain isn't wired to be able to grasp social cues or unwritten rules within groups, nor all informal manners of human behaviour. That is the only consistent trait which I have observed amongst all aspies I've met (though some have had debilitating difficulties beyond that).

As for the commentary about "Down's syndrome", it was not to attack the people with Down's syndrome, but to attack the ignorant bureaucrats set to work with people who have Asperger's in my country. Here, aspies in general are de-facto labelled as mentally challenged people by the authorities, and treated as lesser knowing.

What happened to the autism triad?
AS triad of impairments: http://www.autism.org.uk/~/media/NAS/Beta%20graphical%20elements/Diagrams/AS%20triad%20of%20impairments.ashx?w=400&h=449&as=1


Exactly!

There is an extremely high co-morbidity rate for ASDs and AD/HD. Here are the criteria you need to meet to be diagnosed with Primarily Inattentive Type AD/HD, or with Combined Type if you've ever met the Hyperactivity criteria as well:

A. Either (1) or (2):
(1) inattention: six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:
(a) often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
(b) often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
(c) often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
(d) often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish school work, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
(e) often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
(f) often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
(g) often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
(h) is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
(i) is often forgetful in daily activities

[(2) is irrelevant to this thread so I've omitted it]

B. Some hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms that caused impairment were present before age 7 years.

C. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g., at school [or work] and at home).

D. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

E. The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g., Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorders, or a Personality Disorder).

As far as I can tell, criterion E is very sensibly ignored at least some of the when it comes to PDDs (and indicates how strong the connection between the two sets of symptoms is seen to be), as many people do seem to be diagnosed with both anyway. If you think you meet these criteria I suggest seeking an assessment. Some say that the medication doesn't work as well or as often for people with autism but some research has not found this to be the case and some people have had success. I take methylphenidate for very impairing AD/HD-PI, I believe I have mild AS as well and I haven't had side effects worse than most people seem to, it's been worthwhile for me personally. Non-drug therapies, and workplace or educational adjustments are also more likely to be successful if you have official acknowledgement of every problem that you have, and if you have been able to research the nature of them all yourself and understand them.