Why so many ND now?

[Jumpking]

Had much with 4 friends yesterday. All the ladies told me they're waiting for ASD assessments for their children.

I know so many parents of ND kids.

I don't think I'm unique.

There was around 5 or 6 ND children in my primary school growing up. Now this is per class, minimum. The children weren't in special schools, they just didn't exist in such high numbers.

What do you think has been the sea change in our society that means there are now far more ND children than there were 30 years ago?

(And it isn't because they weren't diagnosed 30 years ago, or we weren't aware... There really weren't children in my school, or the school's of friends I've discussed this with, who had sensory issues, or clothing issues, or only beige and/or dry food, or toileting issues, or obsessive interests issues or all the other ND things which are so prevalent with children today)

One more thing OP.

Many women in my family have a bipolar diagnosis. They’re autistic, not bipolar. The symptoms are almost the same:

neurodivergentinsights.com/misdiagnosis-monday/bipolar-and-autism

We need to start helping women access autism diagnoses rather than being misdiagnosed as bipolar.

I read the article but I feel it says that 'milder' autism groups with adhd on scans not more profound autism. Adhd is still neuro diverse?

It's all genetic. It's not on the rise. Stop believing your eyes. Listen to the pharmaceutical industry.

I was diagnosed at 23. It meant an explanation for why I'm the way I am. It meant I could explain to my friends why I have the difficulties I do. It should (and it didn't because "it can't be that bad if you've just been diagnosed") have meant extra support getting into work. After months of being treated like crap, I ended up on disability benefits.

Jesus. What an ignorant thing to say. You sound like my skeptical husband. He gets frustrated and verbally abusive because I can't do half the things he considers normal and what other mothers and wives do (without great difficulty). Much of what I do frustrates him. I know many other people will feel this way about me because they don't understand why I am the way that I am.

I am extremely angry and resentful at the fact I've only realised at the age of 40 that ADHD has been my issue all my life and that I really wasn't lazy and stupid. I've spent a lifetime comparing myself to others and always tore myself apart because although I know I'm smart and am seen to be successful, but wondered why I could never achieve what they did. I've struggled to progress in my professional career like all of my other colleagues have.

Imagine if I could have had the help I really needed and had been diagnosed 30 years ago. My life could have turned out so differently. I could have had the medication I needed, understood my issues and how to put things into practice to help me cope.

You have absolutely no idea how hard it is to be ND and mask it your entire life.

There is certainly truth in this. All of us have to mask our discomfort to get through the working day (or social events) at times dependent on what it is. Life is tiring.

Another poster on here also mentions the over stimulation of the modern world and I think that is a huge contributory factor, our ability to concentrate is shot to be pieces, we cant be bored, we're impatient, its too noisy and bright overall.

I know a number of clinical psychologists who also observe the huge overlap in attachment disorder traits in children who have suffered trauma and neglect/abusive parenting with autistic traits but the child usually ends up being diagnosed with ASD rather than attachment disorders. Its a growing trend which is causing concern.

I think the need to diagnose and medicalise human differences and traits also applies to MH diagnosis or input.

@StopStartStop can I ask if you have found it very useful apart from the obvious I know why I am like that feeling. Have you been given any techniques to assist with general day to day living?

I have written a post above describing a bit about myself as a child and why I think DH and I are both ND. We coped by remaining in higher education because if I’m honest lots of people are ND that work within that realm. I read a research paper once that backed up that many institutions had undiagnosed ND staff. That sort of disorganised absent minded Professor angle is my DH to a T.

I have (diagnosed) ASD. I think there is a huge environmental and technological factor. When I compare the low-stress world I grew up in 30+ years ago to today, with constant sensory overload, expectations of instant responses at work / school with texting etc., not having any down time (I went home and didn't have any contact with classmates until next day / next term - now kids message each other constantly) I am not surprised it is more obvious or that more people tip over the edge of displaying behaviours that end in diagnosis.

If more than 50% of the population are ND, then doesn't that just mean people are diverse, personalities and traits vary across the population?

@NiceTwin

I can't understand why adults choose to be assessed for ASD/ADHD, what difference is being assigned a label going to make?

If you have gone 30/40/50 years without that label, what is there to gain?

It's not a label. It's who I am. Who I have always been. It helped me reframe my childhood. It helped me realise my differences. It have given my the ability to ask for help or adjustments if I need it. It have made me understand my vulnerability - I have a traumatic trail of abuse from mid teens to mid 20s when I married DH. Part of my masking was that I could never admit anything was wrong. My diagnosis fisher my the freedom to unlock that headfuck and get some help for my past issues that I previously didn't understand and hid from everyone.

Rather then question why anyone wants that 'label' now why not be glad that people are finally getting what they have always needed? It's nothing for you to be bothered by.

I am not articulate enough to explain well but when I tell you being diagnosed at 40+ gave me my life I mean it quite literally.

And the many experts involved in diagnosis just diagnose anyone of course.

NT children are not being diagnosed autistic, no matter which 'route' the parents have gone down

You have explained it very well. Those that continue to ‘not understand’ why anyone, especially adults pursue a diagnosis, should listen to you and others that have explained why a diagnosis helped them.

If they were just naughty and there was no reasoning behind it, (you're aware there's far more to being ND than just being naughty, right?) then the parents would be told that.

Whist there probably are parents who are looking for an excuse, it's a minority.

What a ridiculous comment do you know how long it takes to get a diagnosis how many hoops you jump through?

We waited for 2 years before finally paying no one spends a few thousand pounds just to hide their child is naughty.

& No we didn't pay for a diagnosis, they are trained, accredited professionals & warn you that you can pay & find that your child is not autistic.

News flash as well children with autism can also be naughty and they still have autism.

Can I ask, if you have OCD/anxiety/ depression, how the treatment for it differs if you have an autism diagnosis?

Its so unhealthy and I cant believe that as adults we are allowing children to grow up in this environment.

I dont meet any of the criteria on screeners for ASD but in my much later years I have been completely baffled and bamboozled by light/sound/movement around me, gone more into myself.

well i was at school back then and now i know im ND. Would have been amazing if people had noticed back then and maybe I might have actually met my potential

@NiceTwin

I thought my dd was a bit quirky, socially not great but very bright, so no worries from school.
Even when I took her to the GP for low moods when she was 12, I still didn't have an inkling where that appointment would lead, which was to an autism diagnosis at 14.

Has it helped? Not really. She struggles on a daily basis with things we take for granted but now we know why. There is little we can do to change things or help her but at least now we know why she is the way she is.

So it has helped, because now both you, and more importantly your DD, have understanding. There is a lot ahead of her and there will be times where simply understanding herself is all she needs. I can't impress enough how awful it is to be so lost that you really don't know what's going on or who you are but you know something' is amiss. The peace I got from my diagnosis was life changing. Your DD is very fortunate to have that now, going forward. I'm sure her diagnosis will help her in the future, sometimes she might need a small accommodation which she is legally entitled to. That's massive. Don't be dismissive of a diagnosis that protects your daughter by law.

How are there so many "experts" in this thread who clearly no nothing about ND?

I was diagnosed with the condition/symptoms caused by the neurodiversity.

antidepressants didn’t really help for 30+ years. Knowing I’m autistic has done amazing things for my mental health!
it wasn’t my parents fault, they didn’t know better. The child psychiatrist I saw from 13 didn’t know better!
I know better and my child will get the right support she needs.

BTW, my son wasn't naughty, he was however bored,confused ,overstimulated, upset because his uniform itched him, upset because he wanted to eat by himself at lunch wanted to rock to self soothe, the list goes on .