How to Tell if Your Child has ADHD or Aspergers

It can sometimes be very tricky to tell if a hyper active child has ADHD or Aspergers. Both disorders are characterized by impulsive behavior, a short attention span and poor social skills. In fact, many children who have Aspergers were initially diagnosed with ADHD. The advice in this article is for information purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical consultation from your doctor.

Instructions

    • 1

      Observe your child's behavior. Is your child's erratic behavior an every day thing or is it in response to a traumatic event? All children are hyper sometimes but a divorce or the death of a family member can cause children to act out. Generally, if the behavior lasts for more than six months, it may be due to a disorder.

    • 2

      Understand the differences between ADHD and Aspergers. Kids who have Aspergers typically engage in repetitive behavior, have a hard time dealing with change and are so inner focused that they may appear to be self absorbed. Children who have ADHD have a hard time focusing and sitting still but tend to be more aware of their surroundings than children with Aspergers.

    • 3

      Discuss your concerns with your child's teacher. Children who have ADHD and Aspergers often act very differently at school than they do at home due to over stimulation. Your child's teacher can offer important information that can lead to a proper diagnosis.

    • 4

      Notice if the child can stay focussed under certain circumstances. Children with Aspergers can sit still for long periods of time if they are interested in something. For example, they can still to watch a movie they are interested in or stay focussed on a computer activity they enjoy. Children who have ADHD will have trouble focussing on an activity even if they are interested in it.

    • 5

      See how the child responds to medications and other behavior modification treatments. There are a number of medications to treat children who are hyper active. But generally, you can find a medication to help calm a child who has ADHD. Children who have Aspergers will not be calmed by medications such as ritalin and adderall. This is a big red flag since nearly every child who is diagnosed with Aspergers is initially diagnosed with ADHD.

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