aspergers and ADD together

[Rachelinpain]

i have a 10 year old daughter who was recently diagnosed with aspergers, severe GAD, depression and sever insomnia.  she is currently taking meletonin, clonidine and paxil.  just prior to having her testing in which she was diagnosed with these she was on adderall for suspected ADD and the adderall was very effective for her concentration and focus, making schoolwork and chores etc much less stressful and frustrating.  after her testing i was told she definalty does not have ADD and the aspergers is making her loose focus and have trouble with concentration etc.  she was taken off the adderall and has not been doing nearly as well.  we tried zoloft and that made her manic and so now she is on paxil but it does not seem to be doing her any good.  i have been trying to get the psychiatrist to agree to put her back on the adderall which seemed to work for her but he will not let her go back on it.  even her behavioral therapist wants her to be on it but the doc still says no.  is it possible that she also has ADD that is covered by the asperger symptoms??  or can adderall help kids with aspergers??  i feel her doc is treating her diagnosis and not her actual symptoms.  he is not hte one who has to deal with her day to day but yet wont listen to me.  i am struggling with her alot as well as my husband and i am at the end of my rope.  i have 5 other children and it makes it extremely difficult to have a 10 yr old that already has to be hand held all day and then cant focus or concentrate on top of everything else...we are all going a little crazy.  am i way off or should i force her doc to let us at least TRY the adderall again??  thanks.

[Jason C Bourret, Ph.D., BCBA-D]

It sounds like you need to find a new psychiatrist. It is entirely possible for someone to have both valid autism spectrum disorder diagnoses and ADHD diagnoses. Additionally, there are no medications that treat "Asperger's." The medications treat the behavioral symptoms and, if you're seeing difficulties in concentration and focus, they exist. Look for a new psychiatrist who you work well with and who hears the concerns that you bring.

[Jason C Bourret, Ph.D., BCBA-D]

It sounds like you need to find a new psychiatrist. It is entirely possible for someone to have both valid autism spectrum disorder diagnoses and ADHD diagnoses. Additionally, there are no medications that treat "Asperger's." The medications treat the behavioral symptoms and, if you're seeing difficulties in concentration and focus, they exist. Look for a new psychiatrist who you work well with and who hears the concerns that you bring.

[Beaniesmama]

ABSOLUTELY get a second opinion!! My 8 year old son shows symptoms of both Aspergers and ADHD,and has been diagnosed with both, along with many other things by his previos doctors. We have seen a multitude of drs and specialists, and finally we have found one that is focused on the symptoms first and the diagnosis second. By treating him as an individual an focusing on his specific problems, rather than putting him in a box with a label on it, we are finally getting some results. Also, the right doctor will try to educate you as well as treat your child, because a kid can only make progress if we know how to help him make it. I hope this helps, I have been going through this for 7 years now and I know how frustrating it is.

[mysticnurse]

I have a son with Asperger's.  My understanding is that ADD/ADHD sort of goes hand in hand with AS.  It is not an actual separate diagnosis, but is expected behavior for an Aspy kid.  You may consider a second opinion/treatment option.  If the doc is not listening to you and you are experiencing this degree of frustration, shop around.  I know it's difficult to find docs who are well-versed in autism spectrum disorders, but you have to trust your doctors.  

Have you pinned him down as to why he's so resistant to treat?  Is there something that would contraindicate treatment?  IF no, it may be time to look for another doc.

Possibly the behavioral therapist can communicate with the psychiatrist?

Good luck to you and your daughter.

[pandasmom]

Hi
Please read up on a disorder in children called PANDAS and also PITAND. Check out forums www.latitudes.org and www.webpediatrics.com and www.pandasnetwork.org. Your daughter's symptoms could all be related to PANDAS. Please please read.
From Jodie (pandasmom)