Current Events > Just learned I might be Autistic + ADHD

(+) Yeah! (+)

After learning the symptoms and looking at my life experience to this day

My Mother once in a conversation with our neighbor said she think I might be Autistic, I don't know if she was being 100% serious though

I may be but I wouldn't really know how to get tested

HighSeraph posted...

I may be but I wouldn't really know how to get tested

Yeah I don't know where to start either

Also I worry about misdiagnosis because adult me has suppressed/masked the symptoms heavily since the age of 14 when I actively started working on how to be more "normal"

Just hoping that if I do go through the evaluation process I don't fall through the cracks

2Pacavelli posted...

Yeah I don't know where to start either

Also I worry about misdiagnosis because adult me has suppressed/masked the symptoms heavily since the age of 14 when I actively started working on how to be more "normal"

Just hoping that if I do go through the evaluation process I don't fall through the cracks

same boat here. My wife thinks on the spectrum, but it be hard to prove after going 20 plus years of learning to cope.

OCD is confirmed however, which is thankful, my anxiety was bad and I didnt know how to handle that till I got help

This might help: https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-screening

It's one of those things where (outside of the ADHD diagnosis) I don't really know what the actual benefit of being diagnosed as an adult is + the government is supposedly tracking autism diagnoses now, so I don't really care to find out for certain.

I function in society and have a wife, house and career so it doesn't seem worth the effort to find out for sure.

pretzelcoatl posted...

It's one of those things where (outside of the ADHD diagnosis) I don't really know what the actual benefit of being diagnosed as an adult is + the government is supposedly tracking autism diagnoses now, so I don't really care to find out for certain.

I function in society and have a wife, house and career so it doesn't seem worth the effort to find out for sure.

I'm happy for you and wish you the best in life. I understand how you feel. Certain things happened with me recently in terms of functioning/fitting in at work and also at a recent social gatherings where I feel like I started to realize maybe I do have this disorder. Mainly feeling like I'm going to have a total shutdown while amongst people then embarrass myself because I can't keep up maintaining the "frame" I hold when socializing

Also as a youth I would become mute at certain points of times especially in school. Initially I thought/knew it was Social Anxiety but after discovering more I think it's deeper than that

Or maybe part of myself was in denial, because my peers always thought I was weird but I wouldn't accept it as having any type of mental "deficit". Even my family would call me "slow" at times though. All of those would effect my self esteem.

Maybe it's all a sign that I had this disorder but no one knew exactly what it was. Or maybe people thought I would grow out of it or unlearn/overcome it. Or maybe it was denial or I didn't want to accept it due to the stigma

Right now I rather know regardless of any stigma though because it would at least explain a lot in my life and give me more clarity

That is really concerning that the government is tracking Autism diagnosis' though, I would much prefer not to be tracked

Most states have at least one entity that does a large share of the Autism testing for the area. In my state, it is done through a branch of the biggest state University. Every state has a Protection and Advocacy System funded by Congress (for now?), that provides free legal services and resources for individuals with disabilities. The name of these organizations is usually Disability Rights followed by the name of the state. Those interested in being tested who cannot find where to go can contact the P&A in their state, who should be able to direct you. Some Private psychologists etc. can also test for Autism.

In terms of whether to be tested: before November 2024 I always recommended it. There are lots of supports out there, and people can really benefit at any age once there is a diagnosis and recommendations.

However: Now that our highly corrupt and completely untrustworthy government is talking about tracking people with a diagnosis, I think we all need to be more cautious. Everyone should do what feels right and safe for them. I still think there are lots of supports I want people to have access to, but I dont trust my government at all. I wouldnt want to risk ending up on some list for who knows what purpose.

2Pacavelli posted...

Yeah I don't know where to start either

You get a specialist screening. It might be a little harder to get a diagnosis because you're older though. I think my psych even mildly screened me even though I told him I was already diagnosed in 4th grade to rule out absence seizures (my English teacher thought my heavy day dreaming could have been seizures).

So yeah, I'm highly Inattentive and I'm sure I ticked boxes on his screening, the only question that confused me was "Do you feel like sometimes you're being driven by a motor?" I had no idea what that could be implying, even in ADHD Primarily Hyperactive types. A motor? I guess it was something to do with constantly moving and not being able to slow down.

I'm in a similar boat. Realized earlier this year that I'm probably on the spectrum. It would explain so much about my life, and the more I research it, the more it resonates. However -- getting an official diagnosis in the USA seems dangerous right now. Like, really dangerous. I don't trust the Trump administration at all, especially after all the horrible things RFK Jr has said about autism. Trump's goons are actively rounding up people on the streets, and autistic people have been specifically named as an "undesirable group" who could be targeted in the future.

I've gotten a lot of insight and clarity just from learning more about autism on my own, through unofficial channels. You might be able to learn more by yourself, before going through official channels, and see if that's enough for now, until the government is more trustworthy again.

Also, the website linked earlier in this thread -- probably not the best resource. Autism Speaks has a poor reputation. Anything legit they're offering, you can most likely find through a better avenue; and there's a lot of un-legit and iffy stuff mixed up with their organization.

wanderingshade posted...

You get a specialist screening. It might be a little harder to get a diagnosis because you're older though.

Substantially.

I was diagnosed at 33 or so, it was done through the Developmental Disabilities department of the University hospital in Albuquerque. I was one of the last people they screened, however, so now it's a crapshoot.

It's largely dependent on area. My town has maybe three people qualified, one of whom is retiring and the others don't practice on adults. It's one of the ND initiatives my company is looking to address and redress.

If you're comfortable with it, TC, you can PM me your state and the basic geographic area you'd feel comfortable covering and I can poke around. I'm only officially knowledgeable regarding northwest New Mexico but I at least know what you'd be looking for.

I found being diagnosed to be fairly affirming, honestly. My sister got her diagnosis about two years prior, mentioned that I should look into it, and everything in my brain clicked three degrees to the left and settled into place, just a whole "oooooooooooooh that makes sense" thing. I just thought I was 3/5 of a sociopath.

It's certainly helpful if you need access to support services, but it's also helpful in giving you something you know, which you can use as a springboard for healthier behavior.

Like, if I'm not comfortable with eye contact I just don't do it anymore. I don't listen with my eyes, I can hear you without forcing myself to do something.

TheOnionKnight posted...

I don't trust the Trump administration at all, especially after all the horrible things RFK Jr has said about autism. Trump's goons are actively rounding up people on the streets, and autistic people have been specifically named as an "undesirable group" who could be targeted in the future.

it's a repeat of history. it sucks. i could function somewhat normal but the condition doesn't seem to help at all especially if they're going to target certain groups of people.

i'm mute around people, dislike loud noises and stuck in my routine :(.

I dont know if I was ever officially diagnosed. But my entire childhood included more or less monthly visits to psychiatrist/psychologists over various issues with in person interactions. That was one of the various things some of them thought was the cause. But I was always a more extreme case and it was obvious there was something going on.

There is probably a lot wrong with me mentally but I haven't been to a doctor in 25 years and don't have any means to go see any doctors/therapists/anything or get tested.

I've had social anxiety my entire life and was diagnosed with that plus depression back in 1999. That was the last time I saw someone about it. I got over the depression on my own within a year or so but the social anxiety and panic attacks has always been with me. Seeing as I haven't done a single thing with my life in the last 25 years. I've been 100% content with my life just sitting in my room watching youtube and playing video games and it NEVER gets boring. Any sane person would have broken by now and gotten on with their lives. Not me. I can just sit in my room forever. I've started exercising at least so I'm not a total couch potato but I still rarely ever go outside 2-3 times a year.

Feeling the burnout / shutdown feelings now. Moment like this reconfirm my suspicions about myself

I actually just got a referral today for an assessment. Ive always suspected and when I asked my mom and sister they both said theyve had their suspicions as well. My mom said as a baby I had all the tell tale signs of Aspergers, but she just didnt realize it at the time because research was so limited and the internet wasnt what it was back then. Im supposed to get a call in the next few days to set up an appointment