Difference Between ADHD and Asperger Syndrome (With Table)

Many people misunderstand the term syndrome and assume it to be a disease. But syndrome is quite different from a disease. When multiple symptoms caused due to any change in the body are shown together, it causes a syndrome.

In the same way, when any change has occurred in the brain which hinders basic mental processes, the symptoms have shown because of this reason causes a certain type of syndrome called a mental syndrome. The two of the most prevalent types of the mental syndrome that are caused widely among the population are ADHD and Asperger syndrome.

ADHD vs Asperger Syndrome

The main difference between ADHD and Asperger syndrome is that in the case of ADHD, the person suffering is not able to concentrate or pay attention to anything for a longer duration of time. While on the other hand, in the case of Asperger syndrome, the person who is suffering shows delays in developmental processes of the mind and is not able to perform motor skills properly.

ADHD is an abbreviation for the word attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. When a person suffers from this syndrome, then that person becomes highly impulsive, gets easily distracted in the process of paying attention to something or concentrating on a single task, and is highly forgetful about the events.

Asperger syndrome is also abbreviated as ASD. When a person suffers from Asperger syndrome, he or she shows signs of mental retardation and is not able to properly perform basic motor skills such as speech, movements, learning, or doing other basic tasks.

Comparison Table Between ADHD and Asperger Syndrome

What is ADHD?

ADHD or also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder majorly occurs in children during their mental developmental phase. According to statistics, ADHD affects about 6% to 7% of the children population. 

Some of the symptoms which show signs of ADHD syndrome could be that the person is highly active, he or she forgets events or tasks to do, the person is found daydreaming, makes silly mistakes, not in the same position for a longer duration of time, the person is highly impatient and has trouble in sitting still or doing absolutely nothing.

Though there is no complete diagnosis for ADHD syndrome, however, the condition can get better if the person uses treatments such as behavioral therapies, educational therapy, organizational therapy, CBT, and by following certain medications for ADHD as well.

What is Asperger Syndrome?

Asperger syndrome is a type of syndrome which is included under the hierarchy of autism. Thus Asperger Syndrome is also known as autism spectrum syndrome and thus also abbreviated as ASD. This syndrome affects not just children but adults as well.

Some of the symptoms which show signs of Asperger syndrome could be that the person gets highly interested or highly focused on one thing, that person has trouble having social skills, difficulties in making or understanding facial features and body language, changes in language traits of speech issues, unable to perform basic tasks, unable to make eye contacts and other such motor skills.

Just like in the case of ADHD syndrome, there is no particular diagnosis for Asperger syndrome as well. But by following certain therapies, the condition can get better. 

Some of the helpful treatments for Asperger syndrome are speech therapies, behavioral therapies and behavior analysis of the person, physical therapies, educational therapies for children and occupational therapies for adults, sensory integration therapies, training for social skills and other basic motor skills, following a sensory diet and certain medications for Asperger syndrome.

Main Differences Between ADHD and Asperger Syndrome

1. ADHD syndrome was first noticed and discovered by Sir George Still. He was a pediatrician. While on the other hand, Asperger syndrome was first noticed and discovered by Hans Asperger.
2. ADHD was first noticed in 1902. Whereas Asperger syndrome was first noticed in 1944.
3. The full form of ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The abbreviation for Asperger syndrome is ASD.
4. In the case of ADHD, the major symptom shown by the person is the inability to pay attention or focus on a single thing for a longer duration of time. Whereas in the case of Asperger syndrome, the major symptom shown by the person is a mental developmental delay in performing basic motor skills.
5. ADHD syndrome is not considered a type of spectrum syndrome. Asperger syndrome is a type of spectrum syndrome which comes under the spectra of autism.
6. ADHD majorly affects children during their mental developmental stage. Asperger syndrome can affect both children and adults.
7. ADHD syndrome is more common as compared to Asperger syndrome. Asperger syndrome is less common among the population as compared to ADHD syndrome.

Conclusion

Though both types of the mental syndrome that are ADHD and Asperger syndrome have no diagnosis, certain healthcare professionals can help the patient develop their developmental condition and make the condition better.

Some of the healthcare professionals which are specialized in handling such cases of ADHD and Asperger syndrome are child psychiatrists, child psychologists, child neuropsychologists, clinical child psychologists, pediatricians, and behavioral psychologists.

References

1. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12070991
2. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1998-06605-000