Expert: Trey McGowan - 1/25/2008

Question
Hello,
We adopted a little boy from Romania with no birth parent background information.  He's now in second grade, having trouble in his school work.  At home, he is very busy. Very smart.  My area of concerns are:  he has an extreme sensitivity to clothes, perfers to be in little underpants.  Won't wear any long sleeves or pants with zippers, socks the list goes on.  Also, repeats the same question for days.  Then for a short time he's fine again. He worries about a lot of things normal kids don't.  Socially, he plays with a few kids in the neighborhood very well, perfers girls though. Won't ever never take any sports or group activities outside school, even though he's very good at them.  A couple times I've gone to school during his lunch period and saw him sitting totally alone, yet other times he's with neighbors. I'm not sure how to handle him, especially homework.  We adopted him at 6 months old, he only weighed 11 pounds, and is still small for his age.  what do you think?
Sincerely,
Vicki

Answer
Hello there, Vicki!

I think... that I am not a doctor, so whatever I would say here couldn't really go to help you. Unfortunately, listening to the descriptions isn't the same as a direct observation, so I can only give guesses at what's going on. I strongly urge you to look into speaking with a genuine professional about the issues if you are concerned about them. While I can say generalities, they are the ones who will be able to give you real and honest help. Whatever form the help might need, whether just support or intervention.

I will say here, though, that high functioning autism and ADHD can often present closely as one another. In fact, there are some possible links between Asperger's and ADHD, from what some studies have shown. Thus, I can't just say whether it is one or the other. There are definitely signs, as you yourself have no doubt guessed (since you came here and asked), but I can't be sure just from reading the question whether it's one, the other, or neither. There's too much observation that would go into something like that. I will say that going to a therapist or psychologist (or other doctor) would *not* be amiss. If you are concerned about your child, then by all means: share that concern with them.

Hopefully this helps answer your question! Feedback, questions, follow-ups, and whatever can be directed here!

Trey