My son (dx'd with nvld and Aspergers) must have special ed services because I have no choice. He is barely willing to access his education because he is so fixed on what he wants to do/his interests It is much more complicated with an aspie profile becuase the social impairment is an impediment along with the self-directed interests that preoccupy a child on the spectrum. It does not wax and wane.  It is ingrained in them and is constant. 
As far as I know, ADHD and ODD (the ODD I would refute as a diagnostic category) are not on the spectrum or considered to be by autism specialists in the field.  ONe considered change is adding NVLD to the DSM and Aspergers as a social disorder seperate from the autism category.  
btw: Professionals like to overuse the ODD because it is easier to understand and requires less of them.  No gifted child should carry a diagnosis of ODD which is loaded with negative connotations!
Last edited by annegqs; 04/02/09 12:34 PM.