If labs and imaging say that you have thyroid cancer, then you do have thyroid cancer. In the world of mental and emotional health diagnosis, medical testing is mostly useless. Answers are not as easy to come by. ADHD and autism spectrum disorders are two examples.
Over 50% of people with ASD show signs of ADHD. This makes ADHD the most common co-existing condition with ASD.
My grandson, who is eight years old, has ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. If he is having a hard time, then you can be sure that the rest of the family will also be struggling.
If my grandson’s family and I are concerned about his well-being, then you should be too.
Setting up the table
Here, the mission is to review facts. Now, there’s tons of information out there on ADHD and autistic spectrum disorder; however, I’ve chosen to go with just two sources: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and my grandson and his family.
Autistic disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and pervasive development disorder (PDD) – not otherwise identified – have all been combined into one diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder.
Though you’re likely aware, ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Here are the diagnostic criteria for ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, taken from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition.
Let’s try to connect the dots.
ADHD coexistence with autistic spectrum disorders
Over 50% of people with ASD show signs of ADHD. This makes ADHD the most common co-existing condition with ASD.
How about this? ASD can be present in up to 25% of ADHD children. This includes, for instance, difficulties with social skills or sensitivity to clothing textures.
Why is there such a high level of coexistence?
Researchers are still trying to figure out why ADHD and ASD coexist so frequently. Let’s look at a few relevant factors.
ADHD and ASD are Neurodevelopmental Disorders. This means that they affect the central nerve system, which is responsible for social, focusing, language, movement and memory skills. Executive functioning is the star, which involves decision-making, impulse control and time management skills, as well as organization. Social skills can also be affected in many children.
ADHD and ASD is more common among boys.
What about the adults?
Adults can coexist with ADHD and ASD, but it is not as common as in children. ASD is a lifelong condition. However, long-term research has shown that ADHD symptoms from childhood can persist into adulthood for one-third to a two-thirds.