Non specific ND

[petticuliar]

I have 2 dc with ADHD and dyslexia. One sort of ticks boxes for ASD too but not conclusively. Which brings me to my question.

I tick boxes. Some boxes for dyslexia. Some boxes for adhd. I don't think ads. But I don't tick enough boxes in anyone category to be assessed as having that specific condition.

I feel like there needs to be a broad category of 'non specific ND' for people who in the Venn diagram of characteristics, tick lots of boxes but not quite enough in any one box. But added together, way way more than NT people would and ultimately more boxes than many singular category ND people might.

Is there such a diagnosis or category?

I have wondered if there is a ND yet to be added to the diagnostic manuals.
E.g. there is a huge over lap of ADHD and ASD. What if I tick a lot of boxes of both, but not enough of either to be diagnosed. But enough altogether to cause issues in my daily life

Yes I think this would be a useful diagnosis for people with neurodiversity running through their family but don't fit neatly in one of the boxes. I feel like I'm between dyspraxia and ASD (ds diagnosed with both). I think the necessity of having the presence of neurodiversity in the family to qualify for assessment would prevent every Tom, Dick and Harry thinking they were 'a bit ND' and that they might need a diagnosis.

Exactly!

I feel like in time, there will be a greater understanding of ND and the links between currently identified NDs and an understanding that some people have many boxes ticked across the board but not enough in any single category. A Non-Specific ND diagnosis might be something available in the future I hope.

I agree, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the DSM categories are basically bollocks. Human neurology is far, far more complex than we currently understand - it makes little sense to try and squeeze everyone whose functioning is atypical into near little sets of traits, other than for the purpose of apportioning medication (which is what the DSM is for).

I think the necessity of having the presence of neurodiversity in the family to qualify for assessment would prevent every Tom, Dick and Harry thinking they were 'a bit ND' and that they might need a diagnosis.

This would be totally unethical - what about those with no/few family members, or with relatives who are undiagnosed?! If someone wants to go through all the trouble of waiting to be assessed, let them; it’s highly unlikely they’d be diagnosed with something that wasn’t there (and also unlikely most could be bothered if they didn’t think there was a strong possibility)