FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Frequently asked questions and answers will be posted periodically without any identifying information, as a way to disseminate information to a greater number of families and professionals unless a specific request is made not to be included in the FAQs section. Question: Could you explain the underlying differences between Asperger's and ADD? My son has just started, 6 weeks into it, a new private special needs school, supposedly high functioning and ld. There is a boy that has Asperger's and my son is very ADhd and rowdy.  ----'s ways and loudness really annoy this boy. They can really get locked in...... Do you think it is wise to have the two conditions in a class of 15? Is this a hard population to keep together?   Response: Often parents ask whether is it a good idea to have students with Asperger Syndrome & ADHD together in the same class. It is quite common for students with AS & students with ADHD to have attentional issues, organizational challenges, annoying behaviors, and social skill deficits. Therefore, in designing programs to address these areas it is likely that one will encounter children with both diagnoses. In your specific example, it appears that the boy with AS is frequently annoyed by the behaviors of your son with ADHD. It is important to note that often students with AS have numerous "annoying behaviors" that need to be addressed as well. In a well designed classroom the needs of each student would carefully address (and continue to re-assess) the best environmental and teaching strategies to address this type of issue. Environmental supports may include (a) carefully determined seating arrangements; (b) the use of headphones to filter sounds; (c) the use of study carrels; (d) individual schedules; (e) small group instruction within the class; (g) instruction in emotional regulation; (h) use of a 'home base' strategy so the student who becomes annoyed can appropriate remove him/herself from the situation; and (i) specific instruction designed to teach "less annoying" replacement behaviors etc.. In some cases, there may be justification for considering a class change due to some variables specific to the individual children. However, in most instances, there are numerous supports that can address the needs of children with AS and ADHD. Diane Adreon Associate Director University of Miami Center for Autism & Related Disabilities Co-author with Brenda Smith Myles of Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success (2001). Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Co. Back to the Top

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