ADHD and Autism: The overlap of traits in smart kids & adults

Dr. Thomas E. Brown, internationally-recognized psychologist and writer, will share an updated understanding of ADHD with and without complications such as autistic traits. He will also describe ways to provide effective support and treatment for those who struggle with such difficulties so these talented kids and adults can flourish.

[AlexiHolford]

I find it hurtful when someone who knows I have ADHD says, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” I am doing the best I can.

[raven]

This was really good. I think this doctor really has a lot of understanding. I just have one problem...Most autistic people are hyperempathetic. Just because they don't express it the way NT people think they should doesn't mean it's not there. Some are afraid to show their feelings because they've been punished for it in their past. Some just dont know what to say or if they say anything it's misinterpreted. After a while they keep quiet. Some are just overwhelmed. Ask them how they feel about something before you assume they don't feel anything. If I had no empathy I wouldn't be so bothered by this myth being spread.

[lovelife]

I have Autism and I am a very empathetic person. I had 6 hours of standardized testing and interview by a psychologist. I believe you need tests not just a conversation. I also think the tests need to be updated for adults and females. I think the empathy factor needs to be reevaluated

[ytdgnfy]

My son is autistic and doesn't show empathy but definitely feels it. He said he has difficulty showing it but definitely feels it a lot!

[AngieF]

Also, I have had male friends and a son who have Asperger's and one friend said that, although he has trained himself to make eye contact it is the overwhelming emotions that he picks up from people's eyes that causes the difficulty. It's not a lack of empathy, it's that the sensitivity is too high and there is a shutting down to try to dampen the emotions and "energy" picked up from others. It's very draining.

[KMx]

I'm up late, occupying my mind with this video and waiting to get sleepy ...and lol...he just described what I'm doing. This guy is good.

[therabbithat]

Dr Brown's book was the first thing I read about ADHD, just because I was studying attention in college and thought it might help to read it in my free time... and it could have been written about me, so thank you so much!!!

[johnries]

The conductor analogy is a good one. I joke that the problem with the word "disorganized" is the implicit assumption that the person was once organized ("unorganized" is better).

I didn't realize that the phenomenal long term memory combined with poor short term memory is an ADHD characteristic (what I call "flypaper mind"). Had I known that, I would have sought a diagnosis in young adulthood.

And then there are some of us who focus better with modest amounts of background noise (or even movies, sporting events, e-books, or lectures; or conversations with similarly challenged co-workers). The way this appears to work is to quiet the internal conversation, allowing one to actively work on what one is supposed to. I call it "soaking up the extra CPU cycles". Another common focusing strategy for me when unmedicated is the "Zen approach": focus by not focusing (works better than consciously trying to focus). In any case, don't ever leave me in a silent room and expect me to work effectively (unless I'm supposed to be reading).

I am literal minded, but do get metaphors to an extent. I love word play.

[gregorybabbitt]

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.

[mw]

Why are the medical schools teachers not covering current information about ADHD, females representation, and meds?

[potatoOo]

I definitely feel empathy on the same if not higher level than neurotypicals. I just have issues how and how intensly I get it out so I just repress it. Sometimes it also doesn't come out the way it supposed to. For example I once smiled big when wishing condolences to a widow.

[EastEndSongStudio]

Dr. Brown's explanation neurotransmitters is the first that I have actually been able to understand.

[lysfrommarple]

The Adult autism assessment unit in Sheffield, UK is excellent. Unfortunately the diagnostic process for ASD and ADD is totally separate. In my experience you can wait 4 years for an autism diagnosis and then have to start from scratch to get an ADD diagnosis if you then realise you have both. I have autism and am very empathic. I recognise the emotions I just have no idea how to get my sympathy across.I understand metaphors but I am a prolific reader so that might have helpped because I am very literal in general.

[susanmcnally]

Fascinating. I am a psychotherapist with ADD and other comorbidity features. One of my three sons has Asperger’s syndrome and one of his sons also has that disorder also. I am also an artist. Writer and poet with difficulty making friends but I can help patients understand and express feelings. My functioning is so variable it’s frustrating. I’m not medicated because I’ve seen rebound in children being treated for ADHD and I seem to be able to muddle through. I’ve become philosophical about my brain farts and laugh when I hit a dysfunction junction. Thanks for this presentation.

[pinchebruha]

I’m just going to cry now……so many peoples words hurt me beyond belief out of ignorance. ‘If I can do it so can you’ I tried to do it there way it never worked…ever, just reinforced that I was not normal….what does that even mean anymore

[underneaththecape]

A lot of these things described me well. It was kind of funny how when you stated "They'll be sitting at the table talking with you and their knee is bouncing up and down, shaking the table" My knee was bouncing at that moment!

[Yume]

I wonder if the examples presented about the child not understanding why his peers would feel bad about being seemingly talked down to has less to do with lack of empathy and more to do with lack of understanding of needing to feel good about yourself in comparison to others. Feeling others pain of grief or pain during a breakup for example is different from understanding why someone would feel the need to look good in front of other people imo. 😅
Many autistic people seem to struggle to understand social hierarchy and how important it is to neurotypical individuals.

[BrianCArmstrong]

Thank you so much for this....I worked out I had Aspergers a while ago....your comment on memory was the first time I had this. Had great long term memory but terrible short term memory. It is the first I had heard this and rings so strong with me. I am still trying to work myself out, this adds one step towards my understanding of myself.

[Noelbluesky]

God. I wish the people who cared about me, would take the time to watch and understand this. I really make an effort trying to do behavior adjustments etc, but it is not quite enough. There are no good therapists here, who treat older women with Adhd. In fact, my neurologist flatly told me that "only boys have adhd, and they outgrow it in adolescence" I said Obviously doctor, you don't believe nor utilize continuing education, and walked out of his office. smh 🤨😟

[jay_thee_bean]

This makes alot of sense as my brother has aspergers and I have adhd and we tend to share alot of traits and knowing this it makes alot of sense why we are so close and act so similar