Different perceptions of autistic adults and those with adhd?

That's interesting. I definitely get the impression generally that autism is seen as more "serious", more of a "defect". I also feel that an autism diagnosis is (or has been) less socially acceptable, whereas even back when I was in school years ago, people would be open about having AD(H)D - in fact it was sort of used/seen as an excuse for poor behaviour.

I was the opposite of your friend - went for autism assessment but never thought to get assessed for ADD, even though a friend had pointed out some years earlier that I meet the diagnostic criteria (I agreed). I guess this was because I didn't really take it seriously, due to what I'd absorbed from society (this was in 2017), and didn't realise the full extent of how it can affect you so I assumed my difficulties must be due to something else.

I was diagnosed with autism, although the label is to some extent a bad fit. I have wondered if actually ADD explains things better.

However I vaguely feel that autism will be taken more seriously in the workplace in terms of reasonable adjustments etc, whilst ADD might be more likely to provoke an eye rolling "Oh here's another one". So I am interested to see what other posters think! (Currently job hunting!)

But if you grow out of the traits and your life isnt impacted and you don't meet the diagnosis then you no longer have it. This is essentially growing out of it for some children but I understand that some academics tend to use the term 'fully recover'.

I've learned to keep my diagnosis of ADHD quiet. I was diagnosed at age 14, and have only ever told 1 employer about it, an award-winning disability friendly organisation, household name, British institution type org. And was promptly treated differently to my peers and bullied by management.

So I'm not sure I agree with the premise of the thread, but do concede that my personal anecdote doesn't mean much in terms of societal trends.

In terms of tiktok self identified ND videos, I have every confidence that the professionals doing the diagnoses aren't influenced by them. Someone may well self refer, but that doesn't mean they'll meet the criteria. And the less stigma the better really.

I think you are right. Anecdotally, I know a number of adults chasing or getting adhd diagnosis but none going for autism diagnosis. One has got a private adhd diagnosis but displays a lot of signs of autism and I suspect has both, but this is not a diagnosis he is interested in.

Yes I think it will change. Trends change. Social media is bursting with people declaring their ADHD 'quirks'. It has raised awareness massively and slowly women and girls presentation is finally being understood and diagnosed. I feel though we are at a stage where Autism and ADD are used almost interchangeably and as adjectives. "You're so autistic, that's my ADD side" etc etc etc. Very annoying. I hope Autism will be reclassified in DSM to give some expression to the extreme differences in impact, liklihood to live independently as adults and the level of disability. I think it's too wide for both conditions and both are still extremely misunderstood. When I think of the mother who has to visit residential facilities due to the extreme violence and instability of her 10 Yr old child and another who is demanding excessive accommodations for their child who displays 1 or 2 ASD tendencies. I don't think people can see the impact when the ASD or ADD is on the far end of spectrum.

I think you need to reread as actually we are singing from the same hymn sheet.

It's people like your DC who may be suffering/have suffered with delays because the system is at breaking point clogged up with those inspired by ridiculous social media claims to seek a diagnosis.

Kids don't "grow out" of ADHD. A lot of kids present with ADHD traits before the age of around 7 (inattentiveness, easily distracted, hyperactivity etc) because they are normal traits in young children who are still learning. This is why doctors, for the most part, won't diagnose before the age of 7.

But after 7, most kids no longer have these traits. So you don't grow out of having ADHD, but you can grow out of ADHD type traits.

OP, I think there is a distinction in autism and ADHD. My son has both. I think in children, ADHD is seen as 'worse' because people associate it with being naughty.

Whereas because autism has a much wider spectrum, from those who are non-verbal for example, to those who are very able, people don't know where you fall ok that spectrum, so are perhaps more wary and don't know how to react initially.

I think ADHD is also seen as 'fixable' with medication etc.

Fair enough. Equally, some people might have a lightbulb moment seeing these things and go and seek a proper diagnosis. There is a problem with self diagnosis, but anything that can help people get a proper diagnosis should be welcomed. Life is hard enough without having to struggle with an undiagnosed condition.

I agree!

What a bizarre take.

I came across this attitude a lot regarding Autism 15-20 years ago. It's the reason I didn't share my DSs Autism diagnosis with close friends and family for many years.

My DD was referred to CAMHs four years ago and were now close to her having an ADHD assessment. Posts like yours make my heart sink. Maybe I was just jumping on the bandwagon wanting a diagnosis for dyslexia and Tourette's also? For what it's worth, DD wasn't a "naughty" child. But those who don't know about her neurodiversity have considered her "lazy"and "disruptive"until they understand what she's dealing with.

As a parent I've found it easier to deal with all of DDs issues over DSs - that could be because I personally find autism difficult to deal with.

I'm guessing if the world in general considers autism more negatively than ADHD, then people on the autistic spectrum find life more difficult than people with ADHD.

Neurodiversity isn't a fashion FFS.

Perhaps you've misunderstood. ADHD itself is very real and ruins lives. The pursuit of a diagnosis by some based on stupid videos on Tiktok is trendy at the moment. That does not mean that this applies to everyone seeking currently seeking a diagnosis. But it's disingenuous to claim its not happening at all.

You sound a little envious.

Keep doing what you're doing!

What are your thoughts and experiences

Very unhelpful but I am diagnosed with both and it had never occurred to me to consider how others perceive me.

Firstly I didn't say you get a diagnosis with a few traits so please don't misquote me. I said people seek a diagnosis.

Secondly at no point did I say there were not genuine cases in amongst the others.

Finally, you are incorrect. Even the most conservative peer reviewed studies recognise that some children are no longer impacted as they get older and would not achieve the threshold for diagnosis. This echoes what we were told by dc (leading) psychiatrist and reinforced by CAMHS and the NHS parenting course. Executive function is still developing until the mid twenties so it's naive to assume children will present in the same way 2 decades later

It's not my post that was ignorant.

What an ignorant post.

1)You don’t get a diagnosis for a few traits anybody can have.

2. People are desperate for a diagnosis as sick of hating and berating themselves alongside needing medication.

3)Kids don’t grow out of it and it isn’t just naughty behaviour. It’s kids struggling to cope with everything else other kids struggle with in addition to disabling traits that make life and holding it together very difficult. They are often having to handle Autism at the same time.

Lofty in that you're assuming it's just something trendy. And assuming it's not a genuine concern. I suppose there are other words I could use, but they might get me a ban, so I won't.

I’m autistic and I think the biggest reason for the difference in the way people with autism/adhd are treated is social skills. I know that I come across as reserved, no sense of humour, probably a bit stressed and quiet in social situations, can’t do banter… and when I try to be like everyone else it comes across as fake. Either way, people are usually uncomfortable around me and in the past (at school) I was relentlessly ostracised and bullied. My more extrovert autistic friends can also make social situations awkward by having no filter/no reciprocity and offending people. I’m generalising, but the people I know with adhd tend to be able to make social connection more successfully, they might be known for being fickle or unreliable but can still be ‘good fun’ (and at school were sometimes the class clown/rebel which carried its own social kudos). I think honestly success/acceptance in life is really mostly down to social skills.

Can you be clearer which part you have an issue with?

Everyone has some traits that could be perceived as ADHD. It's the severity and impact on lives that results in a diagnosis.

Losing your car keys because you are stressed out menopausal mum juggling too many plates does not mean you have ADHD....but it does according to some of the ridiculous videos on Tiktok.

For those of us whose lives have been destroyed by ADHD its offensive.

@Willyoujustbequiet What traits are those?

Which part?

There's nothing lofty. Objective fact and personal opinion.

I’m curious to understand in what way they are technically defects? Genuine question, because if they are, I would love to understand this.

I can see that in many it is disabling. However there is no blueprint for perfect DNA (we know where that attitude leads us, and most would agree that it is terrifying!) And given that ND people also count amongst the most successful (high energy, high obsessiveness/attention to detail etc), and particularly in some industries where originality of thought is vital, I question how ADHD or ASC can be labelled a ‘technical defect’, if we are looking at success or ability to contribute to society. Or ability to process ge, given how widespread ND traits/genes appear to be.

Genuine question. And if there is no answer, let’s stick to calling it ‘differences’ as PP mentioned.

edited to remove typos

And what qualifications do you have to make this lofty pronouncement?