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AMA
Original poster

I run an ADHD/ASD assessment service

325 replies

Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:17

As the title says, curious to hear questions/thoughts.

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Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:41

Depressedbarbie · 03/04/2025 22:36

Are you getting a lot of people who really aren't diagnosable with either condition? I'm a primary teacher, and I'm having to fill in so many forms at the moment, where parents want to seek a diagnosis, even though we don't see anything at all in school to support it. I'm aware that people can mask, so we may not be seeing the full story. But it seems as though so many parents now think their child has adhd or autism?

My view is with children that whilst there are many children with a range of challeneges/ND, there are also a proportion where there are other issues at play related to outcomes to diagnosis. I strongly feel that attachment disorders in many forms very closely mirror ASD presentations in children and thats an area often overlooked as its more complex and much less palatable for parents.

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Scottishlass9 · 03/04/2025 22:41

How long approx is the wait?

Feverdream02 · 03/04/2025 22:42

Percypigsmom · 03/04/2025 22:40

Why did you make the assumption I was talking about employment? That’s actually not what I was talking about.

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Well, you asked why people want to get assessed.

One answer is that we live on a very competitive world and people feel like personal failures all too easily. A diagnosis removes perceived personal responsibility for failure, making it easier to cope with.

CharlotteLightandDark · 03/04/2025 22:42

Is there a difference between genetic ADHD and ADHD linked to stimulation from tech/lifestyle factors?
I read an article this week that posited this idea.

Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:43

PosyFossilsShoes · 03/04/2025 22:39

Thank you for providing assessments. I was an absolutely obvious case in hindsight but when I was little nobody thought girls could have autism unless they also had a profound learning disability. I just about coped through school and then had a nervous breakdown (autistic burnout) in my 20s at which point I was diagnosed with autism (by an NHS assessor, 15 years ago so no, nothing to do with tiktok).

I can say hand on heart that without that diagnosis, the self-understanding, and the adjustments I was then able to make to my life and work patterns, I would be out of work permanently and with incredibly poor mental health. As it is I am thriving. Other posters can sneer as much as they like but I know from first hand experience that the service you provide is positively life-changing.

That is lovely to hear. Glad you are thriving.

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Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:43

Scottishlass9 · 03/04/2025 22:41

How long approx is the wait?

Years and years and years...

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pompey38 · 03/04/2025 22:44

Onetwobuckeroo · 03/04/2025 22:22

I have an appointment soon to have a potential diagnosis for ASD in my forties. I’ve been waiting a year. I’m now nervous. As an adult what will I be asked? Is getting a diagnosis worth it? Am I wasting peoples time?

For context, I was referred by another NHS service. I didn’t ask to be put forward. I’m married, 3 kids, success job, and it’s never something that had crossed my mind until nurse said, are you sure you’re not?…

So, just what to expect really. Thanks

Why do it then if everything is fine with your life?

dizzydizzydizzy · 03/04/2025 22:44

DC2 was recently diagnosed with ADHD. The psychiatrist (former NHS consultant) who assessed DC2 told us that in their view everyone who has an autism diagnosis will meet the diagnosis criteria for ADHD.

Is this a commonly held view?

Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:44

CharlotteLightandDark · 03/04/2025 22:42

Is there a difference between genetic ADHD and ADHD linked to stimulation from tech/lifestyle factors?
I read an article this week that posited this idea.

No idea. Much more research is required into the condition and causal factors.

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Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:45

dizzydizzydizzy · 03/04/2025 22:44

DC2 was recently diagnosed with ADHD. The psychiatrist (former NHS consultant) who assessed DC2 told us that in their view everyone who has an autism diagnosis will meet the diagnosis criteria for ADHD.

Is this a commonly held view?

Not in our service no.

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Scottishlass9 · 03/04/2025 22:48

Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:43

Years and years and years...

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Thought so. I work with students and there has been a huge increase in the volume of students raising it as a concern and believing they have it. Most of them will tell me they think they have ADHD and in my part of the country the wait is 5 years for adult assessment. It’s actually much more unusual now to have a student who doesn’t think they have traits

Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:49

Sleepinggreyhounds · 03/04/2025 22:39

Both my daughters have been diagnosed with nd. That’s the easy bit. The most frustrating thing is how few real options there are for treatment and support. Dd1 was prescribed medication for. ADHD but it didn’t really do a lot. The school wasn’t particularly interested as she wasn’t disruptive ( although she got extra time in exams). She hasn’t found any of the strategies she’s been given very helpful- I don’t think she has the capacity to use them in real life as gets overwhelmed. She still struggles with friendships and concentrating. I suppose I thought a diagnosis would one up more options to improve her life.

There is no treatment for asd and medication can help some with adhd. Reasonable adjustments and coping stratagies can be suggested and can help some, but this isnt a cure all for everybody and what works for one wont for another. There is no magic wand that appears post diagnosis, all it essentially does is make sense of why some things are more difficult.

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Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:51

Scottishlass9 · 03/04/2025 22:48

Thought so. I work with students and there has been a huge increase in the volume of students raising it as a concern and believing they have it. Most of them will tell me they think they have ADHD and in my part of the country the wait is 5 years for adult assessment. It’s actually much more unusual now to have a student who doesn’t think they have traits

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I dont think any service can accurately predict wait times as the landscape is ever changing. Some areas say 5 years and some say 20 years. Implementing reasonable.adjustments can be effective, but not for all.

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pompey38 · 03/04/2025 22:51

Scottishlass9 · 03/04/2025 22:48

Thought so. I work with students and there has been a huge increase in the volume of students raising it as a concern and believing they have it. Most of them will tell me they think they have ADHD and in my part of the country the wait is 5 years for adult assessment. It’s actually much more unusual now to have a student who doesn’t think they have traits

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Very sad , the internet needs cutting off , you’ll be shocked what physical activities can do to a young body

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 03/04/2025 22:53

Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:38

Yes to some degree. I wonder if the entire population was assessed how many would be considered adhd or asd.
I think the key issue is level of impairment, if someone can function, maintain relationships, socially interact in an acceptable way, hold down a job etc, what will a diagnosis or not add or change. There is a rise in medicalising the normal human condition in many areas

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I'm not an ADHD sceptic, but might there be an issue with diagnostic criteria if they can catch people who are functioning well enough in the real world within the definition of a disorder?

Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:53

Scottishlass9 · 03/04/2025 22:41

How long approx is the wait?

Different in every area but whatever area, it will be a very long time.

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Hooliewhat · 03/04/2025 22:55
  1. Do you see many people with a private diagnosis who are considered NT by NHS diagnosis?
  2. after initial diagnosis, how long does it take to get meds prescribed?
  3. How many of patients do you see have tried a zillion natural treatments (magnesium and other vitamins, imported melatonin gummies etc).
  4. Do any supplements make a significant difference / benefit to symptoms (adhd)
Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:55

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 03/04/2025 22:53

I'm not an ADHD sceptic, but might there be an issue with diagnostic criteria if they can catch people who are functioning well enough in the real world within the definition of a disorder?

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Yes agree. ADHD and ASD very different in both impact and presentation so difficult to answer for both.

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Sleepinggreyhounds · 03/04/2025 22:56

Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:49

There is no treatment for asd and medication can help some with adhd. Reasonable adjustments and coping stratagies can be suggested and can help some, but this isnt a cure all for everybody and what works for one wont for another. There is no magic wand that appears post diagnosis, all it essentially does is make sense of why some things are more difficult.

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Sorry didn’t mean to just moan at you! I think this making sense of who you are was valuable for dd2 when she was diagnosed with ASD. I suppose I hoped it would help things fall into placement for dd1 but it hasn’t and she doesn’t really find any of the strategies useful. I’m not sure she has seen much benefit in diagnosis -maybe when she goes to uni reasonable adjustments will help.

TheJinxMinx · 03/04/2025 22:57

Have you noticed a link with any other disorders? In my role I work with children who are diagnosed and most have eczema/allergies or asthma and breathing difficulties. It may just be me but I've noticed a clear trend

Catatedog · 03/04/2025 22:58

Do you ever diagnose other condition eg attachment difficulties or developmental trauma?

Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:58

Sleepinggreyhounds · 03/04/2025 22:56

Sorry didn’t mean to just moan at you! I think this making sense of who you are was valuable for dd2 when she was diagnosed with ASD. I suppose I hoped it would help things fall into placement for dd1 but it hasn’t and she doesn’t really find any of the strategies useful. I’m not sure she has seen much benefit in diagnosis -maybe when she goes to uni reasonable adjustments will help.

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There often isnt a benefit especially for those who function well or well enough. Its likely to help at uni with extra support, extra time, DSA etc. Sometimes finding the RA can ve helpful, NAS website is good.

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Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:59

Catatedog · 03/04/2025 22:58

Do you ever diagnose other condition eg attachment difficulties or developmental trauma?

Yes, or signpost onto other teams who specialise in those areas. Very very often we see attachment or trauma as key feature particularly in ASD.

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Original poster
Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 23:00

TheJinxMinx · 03/04/2025 22:57

Have you noticed a link with any other disorders? In my role I work with children who are diagnosed and most have eczema/allergies or asthma and breathing difficulties. It may just be me but I've noticed a clear trend

No not in adults.

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Triakne · 03/04/2025 23:00

Trolleydolly123 · 03/04/2025 22:41

My view is with children that whilst there are many children with a range of challeneges/ND, there are also a proportion where there are other issues at play related to outcomes to diagnosis. I strongly feel that attachment disorders in many forms very closely mirror ASD presentations in children and thats an area often overlooked as its more complex and much less palatable for parents.

Show quote history

Yes also the impact of developmental trauma