ADHD and Autism in Children and Adults: The Missed Diagnosis with Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D.

Published 2022-02-03
Asperger syndrome was removed from the DSM in 2013 in favor of the umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, which many researchers and clinicians see as a mistake. In this hour-long ADDitude webinar, Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D. describes his work with high-IQ students and adults who did very well in their earlier school years, but who had increasing difficulty academically and socially as they navigated middle school, high school, college, and/or employment.

Download the slides associated with this webinar here:
www.additudemag.com/webinar/asperger-adhd-symptoms…

7:12 Various Kinds of Smarts
11:10 Case Examples
33:45 How Many Children with Autism Spectrum Have ADHD?
37:09 Treatment for ADHD with Asperger Syndrome

Related Resources:
1. Is My Child with ADHD on the Autism Spectrum? www.additudemag.com/autism-aspergers-adhd-symptoms…

2. ADHD and Adult Autism: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Interventions for Both
www.additudemag.com/adult-autism-symptoms-adhd/

3. Self-Test: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults
www.additudemag.com/screener-autism-spectrum-disor…

4. Self-Test: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children
www.additudemag.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-sympt…

5. eBook: "The Truth About Autism in Adults" www.additudemag.com/download/autism-in-adults/

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All Comments (21)
  • @hawkarae
    Thank you. Compassionate and clear ❤
  • @kriswalker3275
    My theory is the ones that are truly gifted are held back and put into special ed., the not so gifted figure out how to answer the questions the way the teacher wants and told they're special.That is honestly the most narcissistic way of teaching we could ever come up with.
  • @Melfukor
    It's absurd how muchs these storys resonate with my life experience....(diagnosed ADHD as 32 yo, self-identifed ASD.)
  • @Chadao1
    Get to the point. All of this information should be at the end. By the time I get through all your notices who cares.
  • 🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

    00:06 📚 Introduction to the webinar and the topic of ADHD and autism in smart kids and adults.
    - Introduction to the webinar.
    - Mention of the umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
    - Dr. Thomas Brown's expertise and background.
    03:02 🧠 Understanding the Different Types of Intelligence.
    - Explanation of various types of intelligence by Howard Gardner.
    - Emphasis on personal and interpersonal intelligence.
    - Relevance to individuals with Asperger's syndrome.
    09:39 📊 Prevalence of Autism Spectrum and IQ Differences.
    - Statistics on IQ distribution within the autism spectrum.
    - Focus on individuals with higher IQs.
    - Delayed diagnosis for those with higher IQs.
    11:18 👦 Case Study: Joshua, an 11-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome.
    - Joshua's characteristics and struggles in school.
    - The impact of parental praise on self-perception.
    - Learning social skills and overcoming challenges.
    20:04 👧 Case Study: Bella, a 13-year-old with ADHD and Social Challenges.
    - Bella's difficulties with executive function and social interactions.
    - Her emotional struggles and isolation.
    - Insights from teacher and parent perspectives on her behavior.
    23:58 🌄 Understanding the challenges of individuals with ADHD and Asperger's
    - ADHD and Asperger's often co-occur in individuals.
    - Academic strengths and social interaction difficulties are common in this population.
    - Medication can be effective in managing ADHD symptoms.
    34:08 📚 Medication and treatment for ADHD in individuals with Asperger's
    - ADHD medication can be highly effective when fine-tuned.
    - Monitoring and adjusting medication dosages is crucial for success.
    - Recognizing ADHD in individuals with Asperger's is vital to their educational and social functioning.
    43:49 🧒 Treatment recommendations for a seven-year-old with Asperger's
    - Assess the child's behavior and consider if ADHD symptoms are present.
    - Collaborate with parents and teachers to provide targeted support.
    - Finding specialized therapists or professionals may require research and networking.
    46:29 🧒 ADHD and Autism Diagnosis Challenges
    - ADHD and autism diagnoses can be challenging.
    - Seek information and support from pediatricians and other parents with similar concerns.
    - Fine-tuning ADHD medication is crucial for individuals with sensitive body chemistries.
    49:12 📚 Asperger's, High-Functioning Autism, and ASD Terminology
    - Asperger's is now officially diagnosed as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1.
    - The term "high-functioning autism" is not commonly used in the literature.
    - Differentiating between ASD subtypes can be complex.
    51:12 👩‍🦰 Gender Differences in ASD Diagnosis
    - ASD is more prevalent in males, but it's not absent in females.
    - Many girls and women with ASD engage in camouflaging behaviors.
    - Diagnosis and recognition of ASD in girls and women can be challenging.
    52:53 📖 Changing the Definition of Asperger's Syndrome
    - The decision to remove Asperger's from the DSM-5 was controversial.
    - Asperger's diagnosis could provide clearer guidelines for treatment.
    - Genetic similarities across ASD subtypes influenced the decision to unify them.
    54:06 🆘 Late ASD Diagnosis and Coping
    - Late ASD diagnosis is common and can lead to missed support.
    - Connect with resources like Attitude magazine and Autism Parenting Magazine.
    - Finding professionals who understand ASD is crucial for late-diagnosed individuals.
    57:04 😰 Managing Anxiety in ASD
    - SSRIs like Prozac and Zoloft are often used to manage anxiety in ASD.
    - Guanfacine can help with anxiety, especially when used alongside stimulants.
    - Tailored treatment is essential, and medication dosing should be gradual.
    59:07 📚 Beyond Medication: Therapeutic Approaches
    - A didactic or coaching approach can be helpful in addressing ASD symptoms.
    - Teaching individuals with ASD social strategies and problem-solving skills is valuable.
    - Listening to and understanding their perspective is essential for effective support.

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  • @menarussell
    Thank you. I'm going to listen to it again in the near future.
    It might help some individuals to listen twice.
  • @shion_lwn
    Where is the draw line between PTSD and Autism in adults? Symptoms overlap a lot.
  • @MysteryGrey
    Dr. Dobson states that ADHDers can do anything/everything well....if they're interested in it. I think this is what Joshua noticed about himself, not that other kids are talented, but that they could only do one thing well whereas he(Joshua) could do everything well. I, too, noticed this about myself as a child.
  • @CornflowerBlues5
    Excellent presentation, thank you. This has helped answer a lot of my questions regarding my own children.
  • @coreymorris1693
    I have this and I have a tested IQ of 148. My reading and writing are not very good but my ability to understand and do high end science is extremely high. I'm not going to lie I definitely struggle with feeling lonely. I have no one that understands my passion. Every conversation feels like small talk. They look at sports and weather, I look at loop quantum gravity, spinners, quantum feild theory, Condensed matter research and so one. But Because my talents were never recognized until I was older I'm Stuck as a CNC machinist with a passion for extreme physics.
  • @vampbat
    Poor Anthony dude. Nobody explained nothing and now he's got a record. Needed a reason. I get that way too. Fine I'll do it, but you have to give me a logical, explainable reason why!
  • I sometimes wonder if ASD and ADHD type personality traits, which often co-occur in many people, might actually represent a much evolutionary older form of 'normal' in human behavior. If you think about it, in their higher functioning manifestations, these traits can be quite advantageous in the natural environment. The love of repetitive motion and routine (ASD) could have been harnessed for all sorts of adaptive technological things like spinning wool, grinding corn, gathering nuts and seeds, or making stone tools, whereas the ability to be hyperactive, quick and impulsive, and notice changes in finer details of the environment (i.e. distractions within ADHD) could have been clearly an asset in tracking and hunting. Only once cities and civilizations were built upon the backs of these hard-working and talented people, would the evolution of neurotypical traits and social politics become more useful. Has anyone out there ever seen any academic study of this idea? I would love to see a video exploring this possibility. BTW - I am a biologist by training, not a psychologist.
  • I related to this video. I'm 65 now and took aderal for a couple of years in the 90's.

    It worked well but I couldn't afford it. I found that walking and fixing broke stuff was therapeutic.

    Now I have afib and though I now have insurance, no medical doctor will proscribed it and my mental health options are limited.
  • Thank you Dr. Brown ! It is so interesting to learn how clinical psychiatry has approached an understanding of this topic. I was diagnosed hyperactive in the 1970's but have also known I was probably 'aspie' for a very long time as well. Your case reports all resonate strongly with my personal life journeys and prove there are probably alot more of us out there. As I am older now, I do not dwell on my differences with the world as much as in my younger days and I am reasonably happy in life. My advice to others like me is to accept and be proud of who you ARE (especially as a young person) and to approach one's confusion with the social world with humor AND humility. Your neurotypical friends in life will probably think you are a bit odd, but will mostly enjoy your uniqueness if you are accepting of it in yourself but don't always expect others to accommodate you. Take time to truly study those social situations that you find difficulty dealing with enough so that you can get by. Actively put yourself into these situations so you can eventually figure it out despite what may come. Yes masking is tiring so get away by yourself and escape into nature and exercise every day. Follow your dreams and ambitions with courage and find a career where your personality and special interests are a true strength. I was a zookeeper for many years. My hyperactivity was a big plus in getting the physical jobs done and my lack of eye contact made most animals very comfortable with my presence. Later I became a field biologist...and later still a computer/data scientist and college professor. I was surprised to find there are alot of probably misdiagnosed or undiagnosed folks in these professions and their clinically-defined challenges can, in the right situations, propel them to remarkable achievements. The world needs everyone right now, and although the 'labels' can seem demeaning, I think they are also quite helpful in the process of self-discovery and thus very worthy of this kind of academic study. Thank you again Dr. Brown for your life's work on this.
  • @joeya289
    Sounds like the problem with these kids is that they are also honest
  • @maxgluteus4263
    After new research showing no clear evidence that serotonin levels or serotonin activity are responsible for depression. Would this affect in anyway your Hypothesis/theory on Autism? Thanks
  • People with addiction issues often transfer that addiction. This election stuff gives the adrenaline of the battle and the release of positive reinforcement. He's "hooked" on this
  • @dalelane1948
    What about people with ADS + ADHD + IQs above the 0.1 percentile? I really need to find some well researched info on this.