Category: Asperger Traits

Collage of pictures with the theme of looking deeper than the accepted medical treatment and diagnoses treatment as with ADHD, NVLD, ASD. Making the right choices for your health.

ADHD: a misdiagnosis, label, or a lost opportunity for the best treatment

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 25, 2025. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Bipolarity, Dyslexia, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, PTSD, Recovery, Trauma.

ADHD may be a developmental visual-spatial disorder (DVSD)

Apr 24, 2025

Parents conflict over the treatment of their son, diagnosed with ADHD

A close friend and colleague sent me an email asking if I could assist a psychotherapist with a troubled family that needed support from someone knowledgeable in both medication and non-medication approaches. When I spoke with the therapist, it reminded me of the significant polarization regarding the best approach, such as modern medical science versus holistic medicine, as well as the advocacy for more natural and lifestyle interventions. I realized that bridging this gap in a troubled family would be challenging.

In the news today, the same type of conflict steals the headlines, with people railing against science, research, and vaccines that have saved many from the scourges of epidemics, death, and disability. I was one of the fortunate survivors of polio as a child, before the polio vaccine. Yet I know multitudes were not so lucky and were afflicted with lifelong disabilities or died prematurely. The situation surrounding polio and vaccines has been a modern-day miracle for many.

A group of pictures depicting help from relationships, getting insight, feedback, and perspective.

Relationships for Growth and Perspective

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 24, 2023. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Creativity, Depression, Dyslexia, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Neurodiversity, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, Unique Talent Attributes.

Awareness and receptiveness are essential for wise decisions, perspective, and adaptability.

My valued mentor and the confusing advice

A favorite mentor and advisor, at the end of our final meeting, on my way out from his cozy living room office, with the big glass window looking out on the yard, shaking hands with a big smile, told me, ” Here is my last clinical pearl; never give anyone advice.”

graphic picture of a human head with a heart shaped, multicolored jigsaw in center of brain as a brain reflecting neurodiversity

The Challenges and Advantages of Dyslexic Traits

Written by Ron Parks, MD on October 25, 2022. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Creativity, Dyslexia, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Neurodiversity, Unique Talent Attributes.

Neurodiversity, in a more modern application, describes the unique and multivariate differences in all people. Looking at all individuals, we can see vast differences in the brain and mental functioning with the processing, retrieval, and abstraction of incoming information. Variability appears in ideas and concept formation, adaptability to change, and accomplishing tasks.

graphic of Earth as a globe made up on multicolored jigsaw pieces making up the whole floating in space

Unlocking Artistry and Creativity

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 6, 2022. Posted in Asperger Traits, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Children's Mental Health, Creativity, Getting Things Done, Neurodiversity, Neuroplasticity, Unique Talent Attributes.

Conforming, Neurodiversity, and Masking

Ron Parks, MD

Barriers to creativity, artistry, and genius go from very subtle to high-risk, life-threatening circumstances. Obstacles that amplify weaknesses and ignore talents and strengths must be recognized to enhance imagination and ingenuity. The alternative is a surrender to conformity, compromise, and avoidance of risk.

Childrens’ Essential Need

Written by Ron Parks, MD on May 11, 2021. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Anxiety & Panic, Asperger Traits, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Children's Mental Health, Depression, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Mood, Trauma.

A child at risk can easily go unrecognized!

Sam was lagging in his school work and was falling asleep on his school desk. His grades were failing. He was getting into fights, according to his principal. Other kids were bullying and picking on him. At home and school, he was often moody and irritable. He avoided social activities and liked to play by himself or watch TV. The school called his mother to make an appointment. What happened next totally caught everyone off guard. Help had come too late. [i]

Autism Spectrum Trait Recognition

Written by Ron Parks, MD on October 25, 2019. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Anxiety & Panic, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PTSD, Trauma, Uncategorized, Unique Talent Attributes.

Autism spectrum traits or characteristics (AST)

are common in our population and may contribute to unique advantages or disadvantages. There now is better recognition and awareness of autistic traits. Current scientific evidence supports that there is a predominant genetic origin of AST.

© Artem Oleshko/123 RF.com, Unique Talents

Autism Spectrum refers to the varied presentation of individuals that may have unique strengths but also challenges with difficulties in social skills, communication, motor coordination, repetitious movements or behaviors, and early-life developmental issues.

Gifted child drawing an abstract picture with colorful splatters

Unique Talent Attributes versus Autistic Traits

Written by Ron Parks, MD on February 17, 2019. Posted in Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Unique Talent Attributes. 3 Comments on Unique Talent Attributes versus Autistic Traits

“Unique Talent Attributes (UTA)” are distinguishing, often underappreciated abilities and talents,

found in a valuable minority of our population. Individuals can similarly have exceptional potential and skills, but also have significant difficulty in such areas as social and cognitive functioning. When labels as “autistic traits” or “Autism Spectrum” are inappropriately used, there can be unfavorable inferences or consequences.

I had an older brother who lived the best productive life he could. He was disadvantaged from birth with genetic and developmental differences that distinguished him from others in his age group.