You can't self-diagnose Asperger's (now part of Autism Spectrum Disorder - ASD) or ADHD; only a professional can, but you can look for key differences: ASD involves challenges with social communication, intense special interests, and routines/repetition, while ADHD centers on attention regulation, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, often with a need for novelty and trouble with executive functions like planning. Overlap exists (executive dysfunction, social struggles), but their root causes differ, making professional assessment crucial.
A child with Asperger's may get upset if his routine or favorite activity is disrupted, but does not normally show a lot of emotion in public. With ADHD, a child will express emotions directly and clearly. Both Asperger's and ADHD children have difficulties socially, especially when making friends.
High-functioning Asperger's (now part of Autism Spectrum Disorder) symptoms involve strong language/intelligence but social communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and restricted interests, including poor eye contact, literal thinking, trouble with sarcasm, intense focus on specific topics (hyperfocus), needing strict routines, and feeling easily overwhelmed by social situations or sensory input like lights/sounds, leading to anxiety and isolation.
The 24-hour rule for ADHD is a self-regulation strategy to combat impulsivity by creating a mandatory waiting period (often a full day) before reacting to emotionally charged situations or making significant decisions, allowing time for reflection and reducing regretful snap judgments, especially for things like impulse purchases or arguments. It's a pause button that gives the brain space to process, move from impulse to intention, and evaluate choices more logically, helping manage ADHD's impact on emotional regulation and decision-making.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism can look a lot alike. Children with either one can be very active and impulsive, and can have trouble focusing and interacting with other people. In fact, it can be hard to tell the difference between the two.
Physical Symptoms:
The 10-3 rule for ADHD is a productivity strategy involving 10 minutes of focused work followed by a 3-minute break, designed to match the ADHD brain's need for short bursts of effort, making tasks less overwhelming and procrastination easier to manage by building momentum with quick, structured intervals. It helps individuals with ADHD ease into tasks, offering a tangible goal (10 mins) and an immediate reward (3 mins) to keep focus without burnout, often incorporating movement or preferred activities during breaks.
Increase stress relief by exercising outdoors—people with ADHD often benefit from sunshine and green surroundings. Try relaxing forms of exercise, such as mindful walking, yoga, or tai chi. In addition to relieving stress, they can teach you to better control your attention and impulses.
Types of ADHD
The ADHD "2-Minute Rule" suggests doing any task taking under two minutes immediately to build momentum, but it often backfires by derailing focus due to weak working memory, time blindness, and transition difficulties in people with ADHD. A better approach is to write down these quick tasks on a separate "catch-all" list instead of interrupting your main work, then schedule specific times to review and tackle them, or use a slightly longer timeframe like a 5-minute rule to prevent getting lost down "rabbit holes".
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
People with Asperger's Syndrome have a hard time under- standing and responding to social cues. They may make blunt or inap- propriate comments, alienate col- leagues with quirky behavior, or dominate conversations talking about areas of personal interest.
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
What Are the Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome? While all children with Asperger's Syndrome are different, what sets them apart are their social challenges and obsessive interests. Children with Asperger's Syndrome may exhibit poor social interactions, unusual speech patterns, and limited facial expressions.
The ADHD "30% Rule" is a guideline suggesting that executive functions (like self-regulation, planning, and emotional control) in people with ADHD develop about 30% slower than in neurotypical individuals, meaning a 10-year-old might function more like a 7-year-old in these areas, requiring adjusted expectations for maturity, task management, and behavior. It's a tool for caregivers and adults with ADHD to set realistic goals, not a strict scientific law, helping to reduce frustration by matching demands to the person's actual developmental level (executive age) rather than just their chronological age.
Autism and ADHD very often co-exist. Research suggests that 50 to 70% of autistic people also have ADHD (Hours et al., 2022), though figures vary between studies. Similarly, it is estimated that two-thirds of those with ADHD have at least one co-existing condition such as autism.
The Ring of Fire ADHD subtype receives its name due to the “ring of fire” pattern of increased brain activity seen on the SPECT scans. It is characterized by intense emotions and sensory sensitivities — symptoms that may cause it to be mistaken for bipolar disorder or autism.
Active and dynamic jobs
Adult ADHD symptoms may include:
What causes ADHD rage? ADHD rage is primarily caused by difficulties with emotional regulation and impulsivity. The ADHD brain often struggles to manage intense emotions and control impulses. This makes it harder for an ADHDer to pause and process feelings before reacting.
24-Hour Hot Spot: Have a designated area somewhere like your desk where you can place your “need to-dos.” Place anything there that needs your attention within 24 hours so that it doesn't get lost. Pocket Notes: Writing on your hand is risky; try writing important things on notes and putting them in your pocket.
Methylphenidate is the ADHD medication that has been used for the longest period of time and has the most research into its use. It has been found to work well for the majority of people with ADHD.
The 20-minute rule for ADHD is a productivity strategy to overcome task paralysis by committing to work on a task for just 20 minutes, leveraging the brain's need for dopamine and short bursts of focus, making it easier to start and build momentum, with the option to stop or continue after the timer goes off, and it's a variation of the Pomodoro Technique, adapted for ADHD's unique challenges like time blindness. It helps by reducing overwhelm, providing a clear starting point, and creating a dopamine-boosting win, even if you only work for that short period.
Unlike traditional ADHD, which is characterized by visibly disruptive behaviors and severe impairments, high-functioning ADHD allows individuals to maintain a semblance of control in daily life. However, this comes at a cost.
So here are a few tips to consider when creating your bedtime routine: