Started a Formal ASD Assessment (ADHD?)

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After 8 long years of increasing suspicion I have finally started the formal diagnostic process. It wasn't quite what I expected and it was obviously geared towards children but I followed the instructions to the letter. The one thing that I found really interesting was that the psychologist testing me started to ask a lot of questions that I later determined were tests for ADHD. She also gave me some "homework" and they are all ADHD screening questions. I am not totally shocked but it is interesting that she would zoom in on ADHD when I never mentioned it once.

It won't be for a month or so before I get the full report and they are going to interview a few close family members in the meantime but it is interesting that I might actually have both ASD and ADHD. The one thing I wonder is while I understand how Aspergers could have been missed as a child (as it was a very new diagnosis) how on Earth could anyone have missed ADHD if it is that obvious? Even looking at my report cards they practically all say "needs to pay attention", "can be hyperactive" and "has trouble sitting still". After doing some research I also suspect I might have a form of dyslexia since it runs in the family (mother and possibly father have it) and usually have to edit my posts here countless times and teachers frequently commented on how I was very intelligent yet made "stupid mistakes" in my schoolwork. Who would have thought a simple "confirmation" appointment could have opened a can of worms? In short, my issues might be far worse than a simple "mild ASD".

That happened to me. I didn't get ADHD (although certainly I have related symptoms), but to my surprise I got Learning Disability (reading) and General Anxiety. Joking (but not really): I want to blast my sister (who got an LD/dyslexia diagnosis in her youth) who STILL complains and complains how brilliant I am and how easy my life is with my LD. Probably wouldn't be helpful, but maybe I can do it in subtle ways. I also now suspect I have dyslexia but my psych said "no"; maybe it's the "stealth" kind. I was "fortunate" I could/can compensate so well. I once had an English teacher proclaim to my face that I would fail a college-related exam; funny thing is somehow I had memorized or could otherwise "see" the answers --- I have no idea how --- and aced it. My first verbal score on the SAT was pathetic but after study I corrected that (in a big way). "Brilliance" takes A LOT of effort. I am just beginning to understand my abilities and disabilities. Reading about 2E adults (twice exceptional, GT/LD) is interesting.

Wishing you well as you wait for your results.

I recommend the book "Very Late Diagnosis..."

To be honest, I wouldn't say that having ADHD is really "much worse" than "mild ASD."

It's just another nuisance one has to put up with.

I was officially diagnosed with autism when I was very young. Plus with "brain injury," which involves, as part of the condition, what would later be called ADHD.

There are varying degrees of ADHD. For some people, it can be truly disabling.

I have ADHD, inattentive type along with Asperger’s. My ADHD is pretty mild. I just need to make myself write to do lists and keep an appointment book and write all of my appointments in it to stay on track and not forget something important.

My son’s ADHD is more troublesome.

Technically, people can have ADHD that’s so severe, disabling, and med resistant that they can receive disability for it although that’s pretty rare.

ADHD is much more common than ASD. I've seen estimates of 10% to 30% of the entire student population of the United States.

Of course you're right---it affects people in different ways. Of course, it can be disabling. But, like you said, it's uncommon for it to be enough to get "disability."

I think you're doing really well, actually, GHF. And I hope another diagnosis won't make you feel that you are not doing well.

You've gotten married and are now a father. I've never been a father.

You might not have the best job you could possibly get---but at least you have enough to support your family. That's the most important thing.

I totally agree that compared to many here I am doing quite well. I suppose it's the same thing I told the psychologist: it would be one thing if I was a High School dropout I could accept my position in life but having multiple post-secondary credentials and being a highly ambitious child (and adult) who is surrounded by financially successful people makes it very hard to deal with the hand I have been dealt in life. In my ways I envy my coworkers who have no ambition in life other than getting drunk on the weekends: it's not my cup of tea but they actually seem content with their lives and their careers. I feel like someone who has visited a planet that is like what religion describes as Heaven yet it remains out of reach while I am stuck here indefinitely.

Going back to the subject of ADHD, I actually confided in a coworker what was going on and to my surprise, they actually have two close relatives (including a child) who have ADHD and was immensely helpful and supportive. She pointed out that my job is perfect for someone with ADHD because while it can be called an office job it requires getting up and walking frequently. I suppose my concern was that if the counsellor picked up on ADHD so quickly and how I have struggled lifelong in all areas, I might be facing a near uphill battle getting a better job and should consider myself lucky that the stars aligned to get my current job.

I will repeat what I have said before: it is the ultimate in irony that because I was a intelligent child, I was considered to be 'lazy' rather than having a legitimate issue like my best friend at the time and never got the help he did. If I did, my life would probably have turned out much better and I wouldn't be at a soul crushing job. Ditto to going to employment centers as their attitude was 'you got a University Degree so you can't have any issues finding work' but if I was a High School dropout there are countless programs to help with starting a business, finding a subsidized job, etc.. It's going to be hard to tell my son the importance of school when my experience as been the complete opposite.

Relating. I can project confidence like nobody's business. I can control my traits like nobody's business. I am highly skilled that way. My ASD therapist says it's a blessing and a curse. She says I don't get "a pass", not even from myself. I am always compensating, compensating, compensating and I do it well. It wasn't until expectations at work changed (my job was "dumbed down") that the sh*t hit the fan. Where do I go? What is a good fit for me? What will use my visual processing and systemization skills while not taxing my social and reading deficiencies? e.g. I am an excellent communicator when I know the subject, but otherwise am the worst communicator (deer in headlights). ASD for me seems to be all extremes. It's frustrating that I can do near anything (with time and focus) and yet can't do anything (exhausted from meeting peripheral demands).

Excessive relating: Just yesterday my husband was saying how amazing I was: dealing with computer issues, jumped into an expected work meeting (why was it unexpected? ASD related ADHD?), for which I was presenting, while the kids made minor demands. OK, yes, on the outside I was calm cool and collected, on the inside I was CHAOS and STRESS. The result: I'm fine, but don't touch me (or push an uncertainty) or I will EXPLODE. I go from suppressing one explosion to the next. To end on a happier note, the best times are when the kids are in the car, they're happy, there is no traffic... or I'm at home, having accomplished something, drinking a tea... it's all good until the next (little) stress... I live in the moment. Is that an ASD or ADHD thing?

You kind of answered your own question, GiantHockeyFan. "How on earth could anyone have missed ADHD if it is that obvious? ...because I was a intelligent child, I was considered to be 'lazy'..." They would rather attribute your issues with laziness or other personal character flaws that you have to fix yourself and they can even possibly yell at you for, than admit the possibility that you may have a condition that they have to accommodate.

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31st of July, 2013
Diagnosed: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Auditory-Verbal Processing Speed Disorder, and Visual-Motor Processing Speed Disorder.

Weak Emerging Social Communicator (The Social Thinking-­Social Communication Profile by Michelle Garcia Winner, Pamela Crooke and Stephanie Madrigal)

"I am silently correcting your grammar."

Hi GiantHockeyFan, I wouldn't worry about the ADHD questions. It's best practice assessment of ASD to also "screen" for other conditions that commonly co-occur with ASD, like anxiety and ADHD.