Does ADHD medication help people with ASD?

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Full question: Does ADHD medication help the inattentive and/or hyperactive and impulsive symptoms of ASD?

Greetings. So I have been thinking about this for a long time. So, I experience a lot of the inattentive symptoms of AD/HD, but wasn't diagnosed with it (unsure if I agree with it or not, but that's a different discussion). But I have impairments in executive functions, which AD/HD - PI basically is (6 out of 9 symptoms are from executive functions). I was diagnosed with a learning disability in one category of executive functions (working memory) and my other executive function problems were said to be associated with ASD (like cognitive flexibility and self-monitoring). But I still struggle in a daily basis like always forgetting stuff, procrastinating, making careless mistakes, etc. and it's gotten to the point where it's hard to do things for school on time. I had an assignment due today, and I procrastinated to finish it until an hour before where I barely managed to hand it in on time (finished 2 minutes before it was due). I procrastinate on studying, need to take frequent breaks. It just takes too much time. I have been trying alternatives like fish oil, vitamins (B, C, D), kelp, iron. What I take in the morning (fish oil, kelp, iron, one vitamin C pill) seems to help. I do think it's the fish oil. But it's not enough. So I'm kinda getting desperate. I am afraid to ask my doctor because I don't want to seem like a drug seeker, since so many kids have AD/HD medication (stimulants) whether or not they need it. But I'm unsure if my family doctor would be willing to prescribe me this without an AD/HD diagnosis. I know there is no medication is used to treat autism, which is why in my full question, I ask about the symptoms associated with AD/HD found in autism, and whether or not the medication would treat these symptoms, even if a person isn't diagnosed with AD/HD. So what your opinion on this? Would my doctor be willing to use it as a treatment option? Thanks for any responses

Yes.

But I have both diagnoses done by a capable clinicians. My psychiatrist wouldn't subscribe any meds without proper and in depth testing and interviews. But he has been my doctor for 8 years so has a good grasp of my history, struggles and most important what really worked.

So I guess my answer would be: it depends.

Coming from someone who has been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD medications don't even help people with ADHD. They just make you dumb. I tried them only once and it was enough.
It's better if you don't use them at all.

Sorry that it didn't work out for you, Chirpy.

They did for me. I didn't and don't feel/am/have become dumb. For me they help me focus on the things that truly matter in my life. Rather than feeling like I drown in chaos...

But yeah pills build no skills. So I can imagine they don't work miracles for those expecting them.

What part of ADHD/ADD is the Aspie person trying to tackle with medications?

I know people say both ADHD and ASD have issues with executive functioning skills.
My husband has ASD and my best friend has very severe ADHD. They both have issues with EFS.

The bulk of the EF that gets trashed with my friend is if it is BORING and not stimulating, it's wild horses to get him to do the task. His problem is starting a mundane task and finishing it. The stimulates calm his brain down enough to start it on time and see it through. As bad as ADHD trashes aspects of his life, he is much better off with his executive functioning skills than my husband.

My husband tried stimulates. They totally did not work, and he doesn't have ADHD/ASD. His EFS problems present differently. Between the anxiety, perseveration, overwhelming sense of dread, and a little "it's not interesting", not a whole lot gets done. He knows he needs to shower, but the whole aspect of showering is overwhelming. My friend may not shower, but that is because the computer is more enticing. And showering is drudge work. Lol...

Both are stinky and unwashed. Both have executive functioning reasons why it isn't done. The EFS reasons are completely different.

My husband's support group is going to discuss EF skills in their next meeting. The problem we are running into, there is not a lot of work/information done on ASD adults with executive functioning problems. Almost all is skewed towards ADHD mostly children.

I have never heard very many ADHD people talk about overwhelming dread (true dread...not making a joke) about starting a task. They have an idea how to do something, but it's sort of jumbled. My husband dreads even thinking about doing something. How do I get off the couch and shower? Why can't I do it unless a gun is to my head? Why is everything time dependant a big ungodly mess? My husband know how to do self care, bills, feed himself and think projects out in a rational manner. It's getting over that huge hump to do it kills him. The ADHD meds didn't help at all for that.

I think the medications can help some people, depends on what specific symptoms you want to treat.

From my personal experience, I was on them for ADD when I was 10-12 and they did not help me. My parents tried everything like getting me over the counter meds like vitamin pills to help me and they still didn't help me. I didn't ask if they noticed any difference in me after putting me on more medication that was over the counter along with my prescription medicine. They might have done some affect but it didn't make me "normal" like they wanted. I still had my League Girl problems.

I have a good ASD friend who has medication for ADHD. He has allot of anxiety which I hear can be a sideffect of the medication, but without it he can't concentrate on any task set before him so I'd say he needs it.

Chirpy I guess I am really lucky to live near a clinical center that specialises in ASD & ADHD.

That's why I personally am careful about talking in general terms. I can only speak from personal experience. I am also older and have tried many many things before I found what works for me.

My goals are also very specific. Like what Tawaki writes about her husband not showering that would be for me totally unacceptable.
Things like having a good routine in personal hygiene, sleep, eat, exercise are the first things I learned in behavioral therapy skills.

What pills (ADHD & anxiety meds) did for me is taking the edge off the huge dread and chaos so that I can keep working on managing a routine and living a fulfilling life.

But really it is the combination of pills AND skills that have the best effect for me.

As for side effects I guess I am lucky to have done extensive genetic research with clinicians on what really works and what doesn't for me and my family.
Like a DNA test on CYP450 (Google it).

I do have autism with combined type, the short trial made my attention crazy good. The side effects of the strong drug scared me, so it got stopped.

I took Ritalin as a kid because I was misdiagnosed as having ADHD. It made my grades worse and I was very paranoid with no appetite. I could not each lunch and I thought people and monsters were following me. I was 6 or 7 and I never thought that the medicine the doctor tells you to take would do this. As an adult I realize that's what happens to meth users. The paranoia, the lack of appitie. Those ADD meds are basic meth. As soon as I was off them I was a A and B student again.

I'm currently searching for a competent psychiatrist , In Quebec there's is not a lot of them for Asperger . I have tried lot of different med. I'm currently under vyvanse . It's one of the best so far, but , it decrease my appetite , and my ASD symptoms are increased. I lose track of time easily , Unable to prioritize but when I do focus it's amazing.

@MentalIllnessObsessed
You mentioned fish oil : I remember , it worked really good for me BUT you need to take a lot of it , Most gel caps are 1000mg contain 200 DHA (the part you need for your brain) , for being efficient and make a true difference you will need 1000-1500mg of DHA daily
For my self it took 30-90days , its not instant like medication , PM me , I fond a wonderful product achieving this level of DHA w/o the pain of 8-10 pills a day, will be more than happy to share

For your school assignment and your daily stuff , you need to find some motivation. Find a rewards you only get when everything is done. I don't know how things are working in Ontario, but having a tutor will help you.

How important are studying-homework home ? I remember when I lived with my godparents, they shut down all activity in the hose for an hour every-day even sometime on week-ends , they were reading books or doing research or study same time I was doing my homework. Part-time in my room on my desk most of time in the dining room.
My godmother stayed close to me, Always there for assisting me, helping me find solution , not giving me the answer. My rewards was quite simple, there was a tv show we all watched together (Earth: Final Conflict ) I had to research it back ,since we never knew the real name , we nicknamed the show Taelons.

She also used positive re-enforcement, on week-ends or sometime during evening we played some trivia game , was fun to demonstrate how smart I was, but trust me , the question were not always easy, and If you think I got the correct answer right away ... dream about it , I need to do the research using dictionary or reference book (yea internet was almost out of reach in remote location). In order to eat my Sunday yummy cake or desert , I had to explain the topic of the trivia question I missed. She made sure I was able to answer properly (she never wanted or let me to fail ) if not we took a 15-30 minutes together refining my research then enjoyed the treat together

Something else , you have not mentioned any sport or physical activity , this is one of the key element, when you do so vigorous, your body will create Serotonin and Endorphins trust me they are your best friend

How do you manage your time? I will be more than happy giving you a few tricks for time management

I'll summarize for you

Find a way to get motivation for school work

Have some-one help you (parents, relative, friends, schoolmates) ,

Do your study in a learning friendly environment,

Get a tutor if you don't have one

You need minimum 800-1000 DHA acid (from omega3) daily.

Natural product are to be taken seriously,
I don't know about other vitamins and stuff , must can be fond sufficiently in quality food , no need extra.
Natural product are like any other medicine/prescription drugs ; they need to be used carefully with proper dosage
Find proper information regarding natural products,

Do exercise, do it intensively, regularly (3 time a week 1hrs minimum)


Find a time management trick that suit yourself and apply them (PM me if you need trick I have plenty)
Post-it, google calendar (any agenda), prioritize things, schedule work periods

And most important things : Your doctor is there for helping you , all he/she wants is the best for you, be transparent with them, ask question, say your concern, what you tell them are/stay confidential, no one will know at 16yo, they are not allowed to share any information about you to any-one without your strict consent even to your parents. Trust your doctor The same rules apply with every professional you work with, ask them about confidentiality.

If you don't get good connection or your enable to trust a healthcare professional , be honest and transparent , tell them your unable to trust them, and gently ask for a other doctor/spetialist/professional, they wont be disappointed, they know how crucial your patient/professional bonding is for getting the best result , they understand it's impossible to have strong connection/relationship with every patient

Trust your doctor and other specialist you work with

With your doc/specialist : Be transparent, ask question, say the true, explain your concern and feeling
they are there for helping you , not judging you, and its totally confidential



I hope my advice helped you, feel free to PM me if you need further information

Keep us (on forum) updated about your success (and some failure ) , You have a strong potential , I'm sure you will succeed

Pierre-Olivier