Should we investigate adhd assessment or anti depressants for my ds19

What are you on about?She has had alternative views, mine included which she has handled with careful consideration. You on the other hand with due respect are sounding a little obsessive.

I have a child with AuDHD who did a physics degree.

firstly, the nature of the degree will not be helping. Maths degrees they recommend not to take a year out because of deskilling. Each year (like physics) also builds on the next.

my dd had trouble in third year because she’d worked strategically in second year and not studied whole sections that were then assumed knowledge in third year.

we got her diagnosed and medicated just before college (access course) and the adhd meds did help but also unmasked the autism. So more work done, more able to pay attention but much lesssble to tolerate people,

she got dsa and also weekly study support (basically someone meeting with her weekly to help plan her work and give her a kick up the bum). Uni were very helpful. She has physical illnesses as well.

she’s been on anti depressants as pain meds for some years (has auto immune illness) so can’t comment on that.

With all due respect, you sound like Amanda Jette Knox.

She was so desperate to find a condition for her son that ticked all the boxes (she tried autism and ADHD but that didn't lead to the change she wanted) that she settled on him being transgender, and put him on puberty blockers for years (until he revealed that he wasn't a girl).

The fact you wanted a diverse range of responses but not anyone who disagrees with you is rather telling.

ND young people often need a lot more support. It’s not breathing down his neck, it’s support.

Exactly this and very well said. I have similar experience and know how incredibly difficult it is . Sounds as if you’re handling things really well OP. My dc are doing so much better now they’re getting the right treatment and meds. One thing I’ve learnt is life isn’t linear or what you often expect with ND. The resilience these young people have which we often take for granted helps them push through even at the times everything seems desperate. When uni is involved it adds another layer of difficulty due to the expense and distance however it’s important to keep things in perspective and the world won’t end if they need to retake things and remember that ND is hugely disabling so they’re doing amazing just being there .❤️

He’s in his first year of university and needs to find his feet without you breathing down his neck. Your posts read as if you’re panicking because he isn’t as academic as you want him to be. It’s actually upsetting to read how over-involved you are in this very important phase of his adult life. You shouldn’t know everything about his life at this age. Does he have any privacy?

Hi. I'm a clinical psychologist - I work with children, not adults but I have several years experience working with neurodiverse young people.

Firstly, one point Id make is not to underestimate the impact of DCD on a young person's functioning. People with DCD do often meet criteria for another ND but there have been plenty of times where we have assessed young people who dont meet the full criteria for even inattentive ADHD but do have wider executive functioning difficulties:
https://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/adults/dyspraxia-in-adults

Secondly, as this is clearly a change to his normal level of functioning, i think I would see this as a mental health difficulty and focus on how to improve his mental health. Although medication can help, therapeutic work to build long term strategies to manage the challenges of being ND may have better long term outcomes. Ideally, whether private or NHS, it may be helpful for him to see a psychologist with knowledge of ND, who can help him to make sense of what the current difficulties are, what caused them, and what strategies might help him to start feeling better - cognitive behavioural therapy is usually the go to for anxiety and depression, and i do find that it can lend itself well to people who find structure helpful, if adapted to take into account the difficulties with emotional literacy and exective functioning that can come with all ND conditions. An experienced psychologist would also be able to advise if it seemed that inattentive symptoms were a maintaining factor and would benefit from assessement/medication.

Sorry to go against the grain but to me it sounds like you're too overbearing and far too involved in his life, and that's his biggest problem.

I actually find it a little chilling how you're talking about an adult, and how keen you seem to be to medicate all your sons just because they aren't achieving in the way you want them to

I don’t think he sounds depressed given he is socialising . However there are some antidepressant medications that are useful in ADHD and could have somewhat of a dual effect. Bupropion is best for this but off label in the UK (not in the rest of the world) so GP may not be able to prescribe. Venlafaxine and duloxetine are prescribable by UK GPs and have some (less than stimulants) effect on ADHD.

Exactly all this, it has literally changed the lives of my other 2 children. Hence me pursuing it for the third but I’m glad I checked with a psych first.

also seek careers advice and work out wether uni is the best option for him. An apprenticeship might be a natural option and a better fit for your son.

There is always one!🙄

You’re incorrect, it’s under diagnosed and under treated in this country.

www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/report-of-the-independent-adhd-taskforce-part-1/

I'm in England so don't know how Scotland varies but I would go for a general 1 hour assessment with psychiatrist who is ND aware, rather than full ASD assessment which takes longer and you already know he has ASD. Then I'd get on the Uni or NHS waitlist for Au/adhd assessment in case this is useful in terms of exam accommodations etc.

Just bear in mind that ADHD is massively over diagnosed, very easy to get a diagnosis for, doesn't really exist according to many in the medical profession and doctors financially benefit from people being on the medication. Also the effects of the drugs on the brain are not reversible

As someone who works with ND people and has a ND young adult (who refuses any assessment) I’d recommend getting an ADHD assessment and medication for ADHD in the first instance. See how that helps with the overwhelm and coordination. Next look to antidepressants if still required.

i am interested in the stimulant meds unmasking the autism. My other son is prob auDHD and this hasn’t been his or my experience but that may be unusual. As I say, the autism is already more prevalent and he seems ok with that - ie. Social anxiety, some sensory stuff etc - I can’t see how any adhd presentation could be masking it as the symptoms seem to be mainly to do with executive function (0), daydreaming, procrastination, passivity, inability to start or complete tasks, avoidance and overwhelm. I realise these are co-morbid with asd but the executive function seems to speak more to adhd - particularly as he’s doing well socially (eg has put himself out there, tried new societies, gone clubbing and not hated it, loved the Wetherspoons crawl he did this week etc - although enthusiasm from him is “it was quite good” 😆). Please correct me if I’m missing something.

Sorry to quote a big paragraph but this could all be part of a spikey ASD profile. I think of it more like a scatter graph than a spectrum. If you listen to the podcast on the BBC, I think it’s 1800 seconds to autsim there is a man on there who holds down a professional job but employs what he refers to as a care worker who had to explain to him that when the microwave instructions say put it on, it meant cook in the microwave and not put it on top.

In terms of assessment a dual assessment for asd and adhd is much cheaper than two seperate assessment. When we paid for DD assessment they I had some minor concerns about potential adhd and they suggest they screen for adhd as part of the assessment , charger for screening but it was looking like adhd they would assess for adhd and not charge for an adhd screening as well as assessmemt. It’s worth chatting to some provider. Private providers will have waiting lists so it’s worth getting on a list and you can change your mind closer to the time.

Ideal!

Totally empathise with all the above and have been through similar. The thought of leaving uni was making my son worse. I hid my worries about uni. It’s such worrying time and hard because they’re adults but still so young and you’re not directly involved.

I know money is tight( it is for us too as we’re funding uni x 2) but he does sound quite complex and if it was me I would get him looked at overall before pushing adhd meds. It’s £500 for a psych appointment I think and you do come away feeling a bit fleeced however whatever is learnt will help with next steps. ADHD meds can vary so much. I’d look for somebody well qualified if you do go down the ADHD diagnosis route.