ASD executive (dys)functions vs. ADHD

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My neuropsychologist diagnosed ASD and ADD (ADHD-PI). She says that most of my executive function problems are ADHD related and that ADHD is more problematic than ASD in AuDHD adults.

Yesterday I went to the neurologist, and he said that my problems are not related to ADHD, but to ASD executive function.

I feel so confused. I know they overlap, but this is making me anxious.
I feel no progress with my neuropsychologist sessions, and the neurologist prescribed Methylphenidate to help with executive function. But reading about Concerta on the internet, I found that stimulants don't help with ASD executive function. If I don't need them, I feel worried about long-term negative side effects.

As far as I can tell; as someone who doesn't have ADHD and dealing with particulars around executive dysfunction;

In autism, the executive dysfunction is usually around the lack of filters and the general human limits of processing things consciously -- which can translate into a form of working memory issue.

Thus the environmental accomodations that prevents occasional aversion to many things, regular occurrence of dysregulation and the overwhelm reaction due to said human limits.

NTs do not generally cross those limits; they generally couldn't because of reliable executive functions unless they're in extreme circumstances.

Of course the basis of executive dysfunction of autism is not the same with ADHD.


Here's what I observed around ADHD;

ADHD has a really known basis for it's executive dysfunction; namely, dopaminergic deficits.

In the brain's natural reaction to such deficit would translate into hyperactivity, impulsivity, etc...
This is also the basis why stimulants work -- and react differently for those with ADHD from those who don't.

In ADHD, the lack of filter might be superficial; more like impulsive hyperactive dopamine seeking thingy than the lack of internal barrier itself.

More like whatever dopamine seeking thingy tresspasses said internal barrier.

Making it look like so similar to how autism is yet also look supposedly the opposite of being autistic.

From the way hyperfocus looked like on the outside, the sensory issues, behavioral attempts to self regulate, to memory issues, planning and decision making....

Even the seemingly similar accomodations -- for autistics is to prevent dysregulation, and for ADHD is to lessen distractions; everything executive dysfunction overlaps, looks the same outside, not the same inside.


I don't truly know what it is like to have both.
If I do, I'm not sure if I can handle it.


To make it complicated; adding trauma responses into the mix.

Trauma can give a lot of executive dysfunction symptoms. And too many autistics have some form of trauma.


As someone who's also able to overcome said trauma response -- I was only a step away from getting myself reassessed for possible ADHD and BPD.
... Then all those symptoms disappeared because the unprocessed emotional crap in early childhood is mostly gone.

... Even my reactions to stimulant changes. Before, all I get from caffeine is side effects. Only drinking it because I like the taste, never thought of it's effects.
Even if I quit caffeine for years, the effects aren't as desirable nor as intended.

But recently, it works the way it is.
I don't even need to change other hormones to make it work the way it is.

The more I lose those crap, the less executive dysfunction I get. All I have to contend was the years of habits built around useless coping with crap.
And in turn, not need to get myself assessed for ADHD anymore. Because I don't need said services for those stuff.


Well...
I don't know much about meds. Never took them. Never talked to a doctor about such.

Anyone else would likely know what to do though, related to talks of medication adjustments.

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