Asd/ADHD dx vs ADHD dx only

[Anonymous]

My older one has asd/ADHD dx, and my younger one has ADHD dx. My older old has one big strength from his asd dx which is focusing on getting good scores at school as a perfectionist. I am not if it is a common trait or not, but it has been a blessing that we don't have to worry about his school performance. We just need to provide enrichment and find resources for him. Due to his higher focus, he is a fast learner on things that he is interested in. My younger one with ADHD dx seems to get the short ends on everything. He can't focus and he fools around all the time. All we hear are mostly complaints and worry about his school grades. Only good thing is that he has zero friendship struggles, and many kids love to play with him.

Do kids with ASD/ADHD dx combo normally do better than kids with ADHD dx only at school on academic? I know every kids are different, but I am just wondering about it.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have a specific answer to your question, OP, other than to say that all kids are a mix of their strengths and weaknesses, rather than defined by their diagnoses. Your kids are great examples.

I hear in your post lots of approval of your academic child and concern about your less academically motivated child. I have one of those ADHD non-academic kids, and I’d just encourage you to be as thrilled by his social strengths as you are by your other son’s academic strengths. A kid who makes and keeps friends has tremendous skills that will serve them well over a lifetime. He’s figure out school, even if it isn’t always in the way you’d like!

[Anonymous]

My oldest is also AuDHD and my youngest is ADHD. The ADHD only kid is a much better student. My AuDHD kid has incredible hyperfocus for the things she cares about, but unfortunately, those things don't include most school work. The ADHD kid needs structure, but once he has that structure, he's able to implement it.

[Anonymous]

No, you said it when you said you know every kid is different.

FWIW, the most financially successful adult in our family fit the profile of your younger kid. Social skills can take you much farther in the real world than academic achievement.