Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is one of the conditions found on the autism spectrum (also known as "pervasive developmental disorders" in some medical literature). As the name Asperger's Syndrome implies, the condition involves a number of symptoms--not all of which are present among all who have Asperger's Syndrome--that at first glance may not seem to be related. Common symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome, for example, include social problems, vulnerability to sensory overload, awkward posture, and a tendency to take many figures of speech literally. As we look more closely at Asperger's Syndrome and those who have the condition, this constellation of symptoms and experiences starts to make more sense.There is some controversy as to how meaningful the distinction between Asperger's Syndrome and other forms of autism is. Tony Attwood, an Australian psychologist who specializes in Asperger's Syndrome, quibs that there is "a very important difference: the spelling." From my point of view, differences among individuals who have Asperger's Syndrome are so large that the distinction from other kinds of autism is not particularly meaningful. A major criterion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association is that there is "no clinically significant delay in the onset of language." This is a very arbitrary criterion. From a practical perspective, however, I recognize that "Asperger's Syndrome" may sound somewhat less frightening to the parents of a newly diagnosed child than the term "autism" does.Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or Hyperkinetic Disorder as officially known in the UK (though ADHD is more commonly used), is a neurobehavioral disorder[1][2][3][4] affecting about 5% of the world's population. The condition typically presents itself during childhood, and is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, poor impulse control or impulsivity, and distractibility.[5][6] ADHD is currently considered[citation needed] to be a persistent and chronic condition for which no medical cure is available. ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in children and, over the past decade, has been increasingly diagnosed in adults. About 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD retain the condition as adults.[7] It appears to be highly heritable[citation needed], with contributions on occasion from trauma or toxic exposure. Methods of treatment usually involve some combination of medications, behaviour modifications, life style changes, and counseling.ADHD is a developmental disorder, in that, in the diagnosed population, certain traits such as impulse control significantly lag in development when compared to the general population[citation needed]. This developmental lag has been estimated to range between 30-40 percent in ADHD patients in comparison to their peers[citation needed]; consequently these delayed attributes are considered[citation needed] an impairment. ADHD has also been classified[citation needed] as a behavior disorder and a neurological disorder[citation needed]or combinations of these classifications such as neurobehavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders.During the elementary years an ADHD student will have more difficulties with work completion, productivity, planning, remembering things needed for school, and meeting deadlines[citation needed]. Oppositional and socially aggressive behaviour is seen in 40-70 percent of children at this age. Even ADHD kids with average to above average intelligence show "chronic and severe under achievement". Fully 46% of those with ADHD have been suspended and 11% expelled.[citation needed] Thirty seven percent of those with ADHD do not get a high school diploma even though many of them will receive special education services.[8] The combined outcomes of the expulsion and dropout rates indicate that almost half of all ADHD students never finish highschool.[9] Only five percent of those with ADHD will get a college degree compared to twenty seven percent of the general population. (US Census, 2003