Worth considering dyspraxia as an adult? Could it be misdiagnosed?

[dyspraxiawondering]

I’m not the UK, as my post will probably show… I was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum when I was younger. Yes, I know females aren’t often diagnosed with autism, yes, I know that many people doubt that it’s possible to be misdiagnosed WITH an autism diagnosis. But as I’m in another European country, they did things very differently here...

I’ve read about dyspraxia, pondered it for a while, and it feels like more of a “fit” for me. The disorder wasn’t even introduced for me until I was an adult, there’s nada information in the news, while autism awareness has been a topic for years and years.

And yes, I know it’s possible to have both conditions at once. But to a therapist that wasn’t familiar with dyspraxia as a disorder, could the symptoms be read as what was once called high function autism?

Hello I was diagnosed with dyspraxia when I was 39, by an educational psychologist. I'm not sure whether a clinical psychologist who probably diagnosed your autism would have been assessing for dyspraxia?

My dyspraxia is a learning difficulty so I had to do cognitive tests in my assessment. I would recommend getting assessed if you feel you may have it. It's been helpful to me to know.

No, I don't think my psychologist assessed me for anything else than autism, actually.

Did you recieve any particular help or support, or was it just good to find an answer and explanation?

Thanks!

I was starting uni as a mature student at the time so I did get extra time and note taking equipment. Since then I have declared it before job interviews as my recall is worse under pressure. No help from NHS etc .

But generally it's good to know why I found things so difficult as a child. Also my son who is autistic probably has it as well (awaiting diagnosis) so I can know more about helping him in future.

Hello, I teach children with autism and dyspraxia is common among them.

It's worth being seen as there's lots of physio and OT things that could help and awareness in jobs etc.

As an adult, Pilates on machines may help a lot actually as they give great feedback and help you to train where your body is in space as well as strengthening muscles, good alignment etc for gross motor skills.

My niece was diagnosed with that (or rather, apraxia and sensory processing difficulties) rather than asd in another country actually as she needed more input with her physical difficulties and academically she was ok.

She has always struggled with social communication and is clearly autistic but just about manages in a mainstream school. Apparently she would have been in an sen school and it was better at the time to follow that route. She had loads of physical therapy early on an it really helped her.

I wasn't diagnosed as an adult but was 16 before anyone picked up on it. think it's worth having a conversation with an educational psychologist as it does still effect me and there are steps you can take to help combat it if you are.

There is a lot of overlap in traits but the more dominant disorder is usually diagnosed. Not sure how it might benefit you further to be assessed.