He’s there, he’s here, he’s everywhere. He is upside down on my couch, he is constantly kicking the band on his chair, he never. stops. moving. I was told time and time again that with the diagnosis of ASD, normally a diagnosis of ADHD is often assumed. It was with this understanding that we entered the public school system. However, it was this knowledge that even the most educated in the district over looks. It is common, but not, mandatory, that these two diagnosis’s be assumed as a pair. Often is the case that is hard to tell where the ASD stops and the ADHD begins. Which I have been told is why the diagnosis is assumed and normally not diagnosised dually. Why?
It is basically a double dx. If your child had ASD, it is assumed under the DSM that ADHD is also present. However, I ran into a huge problem in our educational system. Due to the fact ADHD was not literally on his iep paperwork, they would not treat my son as such. So instead they deemed him as having behavioral problems not associated with ASD. Back to the doctor we went and out we came with a diagnosis of ADHD.
It amazes me what has to be done to get the simple and average care for my child in school. When we turned in the letter from the doctor with his additional diagnosis, the school highly disagreed. They told us his teacher claims he is a model student and assists the other children when needed. There is no doubt in my mind he would. He is repeating kinder, he knows the route now and what to expect and knows what is expect of him. The bigger issue will come next year when he advances to first grade. Everything will be new, possibly including a new school, new state, new continent. What does surprise me is his physical behavior.
At home he is a enigerzeer bunny; no batteries needed. Why the rouse at school? People think I’m crazy, or that I have Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. But one day I saw something that made perfect sense and eased my worries about other peoples thoughts towards my kid.
After doing a little more research on the links between ASD and ADHD, I also learned there is more than just one type of ADHD that covers everyone. Learning more about different types and different reactions to ADHD has helped me better understand my son and ways to help him. I encourage you to do the same. It doesn’t matter the diagnosis, but educating yourself more will make you and your family feel more comfortable with any diagnosis.