Friday, December 14, 2012

The ADHD Autism Connection




What I am reading in this book is the information I have been searching for as long as I've been living with my ADHD kid. I would often tell people that sometimes I wondered if my son were autistic and that some of his behaviors are "autistic-like". I've also felt that his attention-deficit was a symptom of something yet un-named.

Here is a quote from the Author's Note found in the beginning of the book:

"The aim of this book is to explore the similarities that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) shares with a spectrum of disorders currently known as pervasive developmental disorders. Like autism researcher Dr. Lorna Wing, I believe that these disorders do differ in clinical descriptions and degrees of impairment; however, I also agree that the population I seek to help is better served by recognizing that these disorders share similar features, especially in terms of social impairment. By viewing these as possibly related disorders, clinicians may more appropriately address the immediate needs of the patient."
"Regarding the idea that high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome are expressions of the same basic disorder, Diane Twachtman-Cullen believes that "given the nature of the similarities between the disorders, and in the absence of definitive information to the contrary, this would seem to be a most reasonable position." Because of the similarities between ADHD and Asperger's syndrome and the absence of conclusive evidence that differentiates these disorders, an important question is raised. Is ADHD most likely part of the autistic spectrum? This book examines the issue and the immediate need for further research."

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