Do you have to know a condition to ask for assessment ie autism or learning difficulties or something else if you’re not sure you have?

[pennyforyourthoght]

I think I have some difficulty somewhere and I keep reading to see if I can identify the cause.
I find a lot of things overlap and a lot of things I don’t have all but some but I can’t really put my finger on what specifically might be the cause.
I don’t want to wait years for different assessments just to rule something out.
Is there any sort of assessment to identify what could be the cause of my struggles?
I have a diagnosis for ADHD and I’m on 72 mg of methylphenidate which is quite high and I feel minimal benefits but if anything it seems to have highlighted other issues that the meds won’t help with.
I don’t know if I have leading difficulties or autism but I don’t want to spend years on different waiting lists to try and get to the bottom of it.
I was only diagnosed last year at 43 with ADHD and I just feel like there’s something else going on.

Some of the things I still struggle with even with meds is, I don’t understand things I’ve just read as though I do have the ability to read physically, just not to read and take in what it said, it’s the same with verbal instructions.

If someone tells me to help with something I have no idea what they want me to do and an explanation doesn’t make sense.
I can’t read instructions and make sense of them or be explained step by step but I can learn by someone talking me through it while doing it myself many times until it’s automatic.
I am constantly bored in a way that is unbearable and find it difficult to concentrate or engage my mind in what I’m doing and it feels like the outside world is foggy or muffled.
I struggle to talk to people because I can’t think of anything to say but get anxious about the awkward silence.
I get lost and have no sense of direction unless I’ve done the journey hundreds of times with someone else first directing every step until it’s autopilot.
I get completely overwhelmed when there’s too much going on and I just can’t think.

I didn’t do well at school as I didn’t seem to take in anything and as a result have no grades, I’ve tried adult education but again couldn’t retain anything.
I am no good with names or faces and feel like I have a few seconds of memory and try as might to remember something even repeating it over and over I feel it slip away forever.
I don’t seem to be able to work out simple problems or logistics.
I have absolutely no comprehension of maths or problem solving.
It’s not just a lack of concentration, it’s more being unable to follow what’s going on around me as it’s kind of distorted.
Theres just lots of strange things but nothing that seems to fit any conditions.
I am very sensitive to criticism and feel overwhelmed and anxious towards authorities or people finding fault with me.
I think I have anxiety but it’s root cause is some sort of learning difficulties but I don’t know what one, then again I think I may have autism because I have no social skills and can’t give eye contact or understand social cues but then that could just be social anxiety.

I have extreme issues with executive function but meditation that I hoped would help just doesn’t.

I was going to suggest executive function difficulties. Sounds like you might have some processing difficulties. You learn best when things are broken down into steps or maybe if someone demonstrates for you.
You’d need a cognitive assessment to look at any specific learning difficulties or problems with processing speed, working memory etc.
If you want to look at autism try the AQ questionnaire available online. I’m sure you are aware that autism can present in a certain way in women and girls.
Do you have any sensory needs?
I hope you find the answers that you are looking for.

I think you’re right about the executive function and processing difficulties but I imagined that was all my ADHD which I’m medicated for.
I do have some sensory issues, too many noises at once and I can’t function I think more sensory overload when I can’t focus on all the demands I have. It might just be that someone is talking over there the tv is on and I’m fine but if someone else walks in or makes another noise and I just can’t cope with it all.
Or if someone asks me to do something when I’m doing something else it just completely derails my mind and I can’t think.
I often just want to walk out of a situation and take a moment.

Do you feel able to say what adjustments you need to help you to access a situation or event?
You could maybe write some strategies or adjustments down. Start with a positive
I can attend training when
I can sit hear the door, I’m not expected to answer direct questions, I wear Loop ear buds, I can take a movement break
Just an example of course. You are the expert on you and your needs.
Recognising your difficulties is a positive step and if you start to use strategies to help you to manage things might not feel so overwhelming.

I would advise a full diagnostic assessment by an educational/clinical psychologist.

The answer might be in your psychiatrist/psychologist ADHD report.
Besides the “diagnosis” did it not report on multiple other aspects like IQ, reading speed, memory, etc.
Sadly no the meds don’t “fix” that. In theory it slows down some background noise so you can focus more. But it takes more than focus to do some of the other aspects.

Are all these things lifelong or are some of them noticed more recently? Not everything, but some of the things on your list especially around focus and concentrating are things ive been struggling with, I am early 40s too and I believe mine are perimenopause as I am now on HRT and noticing slow improvements.

Just something else to perhaps consider.

It’s been lifelong unfortunately, all through school, although it has dawned on me that it’ll likely get worse as menopause approaches.

My adhd assessment was NHS and the report was quite basic just outlining a few things from each category and stating that I had combined ADHD it was just a letter to the doctor really which I was cc in, they won’t give me more than 72mg. It was just for adhd

Sounds like you could use a full assessment by an educational psychologist to help you better understand your particular situation.

Your literacy seems quite good unless someone has helped you with these posts? But working memory sounds like a big challenge. You could consider a private cognitive assessment. Also is methylphenidate actually helping you at all? Because if it's not there are other ADHD medications you could try.

I also have adhd (late diagnosed at 41) and all of things you've listed sound very much like the executive functioning issues of adhd!
Additionally, peri-menopause is having an impact for me now at 46. Ugh! I feel your frustratation!

I am also medicated but a key thing I learnt was that "pills don't teach skills!". So whilst the meds help to give your brain the focus and concentration needed, if you don't actually have a clue about what to do then you'll still be stuck! These things that "everyone else" seems to pick up naturally do need to be expicitly taught to and learnt by us.

Have you considered getting some ADHD coaching for executive function support?
Connections in mind is an organization I have found and used their free resources. You may also be able to get such coaching via access to work if you are in work.

This isnt to say you don't also have other Neurodivergences or specific learning difficulties going on, but from the thjngs youve said you are struggling with this might be a good practical starting point.

Good luck, you are not alone! X