ASD or adhd

Just wondering if anyone here has had a child diagnosed on the spectrum and later had the diagnose removed or switched to an adhd diagnosis?

My son was diagnosed high funtioning autism at 15 months. We've surmised that he would probably be diagnosed aspergers if it was still a diagnosis given. He'll be 4 in November and has been in a cpse program since last September.

Our ped has never thought him to be ASD and at our last check up said that he's probably adhd. The last psych evaluation we had (April 2015), the evaluator was willing to lift his diagnosis completely.

I've been googling the differences and similarities between aspergers and adhd and wondering if there is any advantage or disadvantage if the diagnosis was ever switched. Or if it really wouldn't matter and protocol is still the same as far as IEPs, etc. I don't think he's both, although I know you can be diagnosed with both.

Guess I'm just looking for anyone that has been in a similar situation and what you did. I just want to make sure I'm getting him the right services overall.

Tia

ASD or adhd

My son is 4 1/2. Diagnosed at around 2. Recently I was told that he is high functioning ASD but that later on will probably be diagnosed with ADHD because he is so high functioning and has been receiving services since 1 1/2.
He is currently receiving ST, PT, OT and is in a school program for social skills. Intelectually he is extremely bright, behaviorally is where we have a lot of issues. I don't think there are too many services he could receive now that he is not getting that would help with one diagnosis over the other. As his speech increases his behavior has improved as well, so one thing definitely has to do with the other. I say as long as you have a diagnosis and the school system is willing/able to provide services, go for it. It will never hurt. Later on in school, services may change based on ADHD and needing more test time or breaks in class, things not necessarily needed in ASD students.
Not sure if that helped.

ASD or adhd

Thank you. Your son and mine sound extremely similar, Mine is also exceptionally bright but has behavioral issues while at school. He is receiving pt and speech this summer and come September he'll be getting ot and play therapy as well. The school he's at does not seem to know really how to handle him and I was making sure I was going about this the correct way. Also I wanted to know as far as the future goes what to expect. You've definitely enlightened me.

Re: ASD or adhd

Most districts will give more services if you have an ASD diagnosis. Some people might say that they should be giving services based on their needs, not a diagnosis, but in reality, the people I know with the ASD diagnosis have an easier time getting services than those with an ADHD diagnosis. I would tell them to keep the diagnosis for now, and see what happens 3 years from now, when they evaluate him again.

ASD or adhd

Thank you.

I'm not going to push for anything now. Future? We will see how school ends up playing out.

Message edited 7/18/2016 11:44:32 AM.

Re: ASD or adhd

It could very well be the case, I would make an appointment with a developmental pediatrician in the meantime since it can take a long time to get an appointment. Lots of people have recommended Dr. Ruee Huang at Cohen's. I have an appointment for my DS in October/November.