Can it sometimes be hard to tell ADHD and Asperger's syndrome apart?

Question

I've been reading some about ADHD and Asperger's syndrome. I've been formally diagnosed with ADHD, and I suspect that I might have Asperger's syndrome. However, it seems to me that the two have an awful lot in common. After all, both ADHDers and aspies sometimes tend to miss subtle social cues, speak in an inappropriate tone, take figurative speech literally, be physically awkward, and have difficulties in math and handwriting. Since the two disorders have so many similarities, is it possible for a person to be diagnosed with one disorder, but actually have the other disorder instead?

Answer 1

From what I've heard, the conditions can also be comorbid. You could actually have both. But with any disorder or illness, it's quite possible to mistake one condition for another if the two have similar symptoms.

Answer 2

Many children are mistakenly first diagnosed ADHD and later find out that they actually have Asperger's. This happens very frequently. You might want to discuss the matter with the professional who made the diagnosis or seek a second opinion.

Answer 3

Definitely