I think often times people who have sensory issues that make them sensation seeking + internal focus that makes them distracted get misdiagnosed as ADHD. Not an expert opinion, however.
Yes!!! Omgosh, that's my DS. Originally the school was pushing for an ASD diagnosis (since ruled out), and I was convinced he had SPD, primarily "seeking." That combined with his vivid, active imagination makes him seem on the moon sometimes.
Sometimes he'll walk around in circles in the living room, or up and down the hallway, with this intense look of concentration on his face. When you ask him about it he'll say "shh! I'm imagining!" It's like the dynamic going on inside his head lifts him off his seat and compels him to move.
I think you're right, too, about the test "cheating" (or rather "compensating"
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