Potential Explaination of "Asperger traits"?

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Whats up people?
This study indicates that adults with ADHD should be screened for an Aspergers comorbidity. I have been diagnosed by multiple doctors over the years with adult ADD, and my current doc says I have Asperger traits. Indicated by this study, "Diagnosis of this autism-spectrum disorder was confirmed by applying the appropriate DSM-IV-criteria. Additionally we tested the power of the two screening-instruments "Autism-spectrum quotient" (AQ) and "Empathy quotient" (EQ) by Baron-Cohen for screening Asperger-Syndrome in adult ADHD.

I just took the two tests, and my scores were consistent with this: difference in AQ- and EQ-scores between pure ADHD-patients and comorbid patients was analyzed, showing significantly higher scores in AQ and significant lower scores in EQ in comorbid patients. .

Obviously I don't have other scores to compare to, but I did score within the range of someone with ASD on the AQ, and lower on the EQ. I was "less empathetic that normal" folks, but not within the range of ASD folks.

So....seems consistent with my diagnosis, and what I'm learning about myself in therapy. And how I am to understand myself in contrast to other folks in my family, I'm not my dad, or my nieces and nephews, or my siblings, I'm something unique. My family all comes from the same primary colors, we're just mixed a differently, creating unique colors......or something.......

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23793277

I will now go into hiding and be nervous to see if anyone responded.

It's fascinating to consider this idea, especially given that in the DSM-IV, a comorbid diagnosis of ASD and ADHD was impossible. It would explain why ASDs are often misdiagnosed as ADHD if they share so many factors in common.

Certainly seems that way for me too. When I look at my brothers and sisters, I seem to be the farthest on the spectrum. I have not told any of them about my opinion of myself, by the way.

Everything you said seems plausible to me. If what Star Trekker said was true, and I comprehended what she (?) said, then I don't get the 'ADHD is mutually exclusive of ASD' thing.

My theory on this(especially in children) is multifactor.

1.The physical stims and need for constant movement can be mistaken for ADHD.

2.Back in the 80s when ADHD was a fad autism still had a huge stigma, and Asperger's was mostly unknown. So a lot of aspies got labeled ADHD.

3.ADHD was just a popular go to diagnosis, get a mental health pro unfamiliar with aspies and they'll just go to ADHD.

People with ADHD can also be misdiagnosed with ASD.

Definitely, I don't get the "ADHD is mutually exclusive of ASD' thing" from what I know..... If I shake my leg while I'm sitting somewhere, is it because I'm hyperactive and need to run around, am I bored and need stimulation, or am I anxious because I'm bored, and need soothing? Whatever it is, it seems to create balance.

or being hyper focused as opposed to having little focus. Or not being able to focus because something is hard, rather than uninteresting. But then what makes it uninteresting? Is the material difficult, or am I having a hard time comprehending the method the material is used to enter my brain ie reading something, hearing something, seeing something.....

we're just at the beginning of understanding Autism, and I'm not even sure most people truly understand ADHD and how long ago was it considered a fake diagnosis? People still think that way. Which, is almost reasonable that someone would believe that, considering behavior can play a huge role in someone who isn't completely debilitated. I'm sure a kid with mild ADHD can be successful with discipline, make it through school and get a good job, but will that kid be happy? Or successful in other areas of life.

Lot of questions for sure.

I have seen varying rates of comorbidity for Aspergers and ADHD, from 10% all the way up to 80%, so it seems like no one is really sure how common it is to have both.

One thing is consistent though....the rate of comorbidity has been shown to be higher on the Aspergers side. The estimated rates for ADHD + Aspergers go up to 50%, while the rates for Aspergers + ADHD go up to 80%.

In other words, it is even more likely for a person with Aspergers to also have ADHD, than vice versa.

But that's true of most of the comorbids that go with ADHD...it's usually more likely to have ADHD comorbid to another disorder, than it is to have that particular disorder comorbid to ADHD. And ADHD has a variety of potential comorbids people should be screened for, because it almost always has something comorbid to it.

i have been diagnosed with asd and adhd, which overlap along with my dyspraxia