Parents of children with ASD/ADHD/ADD - dual diagnosis

[Anna85]

My 5yr old has HFA and currently under assessment for ADD/ADHD.

Its looking likely that he will be given a dual diagnosis and I am already feeling a bit confused as to what issues are with what if that makes sense?

The biggest problem my DS has is with concentration and resulting in being academically behind when I know he can do a lot better.

Just wanted to know other people's experience of having a child with a dual diagnosis and if having the ADHD diagnosed then helped with concentration etc.

x

[holidaytime]

My son has dx autism, ADHD and Dyspraxia it is not really about which bits are autism and which are ADHD it is about making sure he is getting the help and support he needs. If his ADHD is stopping him learning you may need to think about medication. He may need a statement so that he will get extra support in school.

[Anna85]

We are noe going down the route of a statement.....he is coming to the end of the Reception Year in school and still cannot write his name or read! And a lot of this is due to his concentration!

[holidaytime]

If he gets a statement he should get some teaching assistant support and she will be able to help him catch up. My son use to have time were he went with his teaching assistant to a quiet place were there were no distractions to help him with his reading and writing. This helped him concetrate better.

[mariamagdalena]

My ds (7) has both diagnoses, and the medication helps him stay still and concentrate for a short time. This means he can attend for long enough to decide if he will continue it. Before that he would go running off even during activities he liked. Now he can watch a TV programme, look at a comic, play a DS game etc.

[alicecalvert]

My dd (9) has a diagnosis of ADHD, and quite a few autistic traits. She is now taking long action Ritalin, which is enabling her to concentrate on schoolwork and other things too. She is also able to play cooperatively with siblings for the first time in her life. I'm not a big fan of medication to be honest, and wish that it were something else that had made the difference - but that's how it was for us. DD actually likes taking the tablets, she wants to be able to concentrate, and enjoys learning now (just as well - she has a lot of catching up to do.....)

[tibni]

ds has a diagnosis of ASD (low functioning) and ADHD. The ADHD diagnosis came 7 years after the ASD as it was difficult to determine what behaviours were the result of his ASD.

ds is now on a low dose of medication. It has not changed him as a person but it does give him the ability to concentrate and enjoy activities. It also helps him focus on his obsessions!

[holidaytime]

The medication may take a while before you know which is best. My son was on ritalin but this gave him tics he then went on strattera but this made him sick he is now on Clonidine and this seems to help him concentrate. Without the medication he is unable to concetrate and is dangerous,

[ouryve]

DS1 was diagnoses with ASD and possible ADHD when he was 3. We were told that by the time he was 6, we would be able to ascertain for certain if he definitely had ADHD, too or if his hyperactivity and flightiness were a facet of his ASD. Turned out that he does have ADHD, too and he is now medicated for that with Atomoxetine. It makes a huge difference to his ability to concentrate and his language skills and ability to communicate improved dramatically within the first week of taking the medication (it takes some time to build up in the system). It's not helped the anxiety he also has (the main reason, along with persistent and regular food refusal that we didn't go down the methylphenidate route) and some of his autistic behaviours are more prominent now that he has the concentration span to fixate on things, but it's definitely improved his (and our) life having his ADHD diagnosed and treated.