ASD assessment next week - what to expect?

[NeverMindTheBackProblems]

Two years+ on the waiting list and it's next week. I'm so anxious about it. I feel like I need to swot up on characteristics like for an exam. I have no one that knew me as a child so feel on the back foot already. DP is coming to support me and I'm worried that he will find out about what goes on in my head and not love me anymore. TBH I'm kind of thinking of cancelling it because I'm stressing so much. Can anyone tell me what to expect?

So I'm just coming back to this (safe space) thread as today I got a diagnosis of Inattentive ADHD. I'm just trying to process it.

I’m glad you have been able to get some answers although I understand you probably have more questions now trying to figure this all out!

Thanks @FoxWedding, yeah it's a lot to take in! ADHD wasn't on my radar at all - it was picked up by the therapist when I had my ASD assessment. I'm so grateful, now I've been poking about a bit I completely agree. I've come across Richard Pink and his Reels have me down to a tee.

Hmmm, too late to edit but just to say that the ADHD diagnosis isn't covering all of my behaviours and I still disagree with the ASD diagnosis - but it is what is. For now at least.

Oooh welcome to the ADHD club!
I'm so pleased to read your update and see you're getting somewhere.

The best news is ADHD has some really really effective meds. You could still absolutely have an element of ASD involved (both together is very common!) but I would take this as a really positive thing 💜

Make sure when researching you look at the presentation in women as it is very different.. I struggled to relate to it until I looked at women/ girls research specifically.

Thank you @Jaggedbubble. I've just reread your previous post about your life and it does tick a lot of boxes with me re anxiety, depression, antidepressants at a young(ish) age. Sorry I didn't reply, I was a bit caught up in myself at that point. Yes - welcome to the ADHD gang! I've been reading up a lot, my psychotherapist is on holiday at the moment and I still haven't received my report but I do want to know what it says. Inattentive ADHD does seem to fit now I understand more about it so I don't disagree anymore - dopamine hits anyone lol 😆Are you hyperactive as well as inattentive? I don't seem to fit the hyperactive criteria and I am certainly not creative. What meds are you on? Is there any particular research you would recommend I look at? Have you watched any of Richard Pink's reels? They seem pretty spot on! I hope it's ok to ask.

Hi @NeverMindTheBackProblems i just read your thread. I'm so pleased you are finally getting some answers (and maybe more questions)!

I wanted to recommend that you look up the symptoms of AuDHD. It's when someone has the traits of both Autistm and ADHD. There's a lady named Samantha Stein who was recently featured in a Guardian article talking about her experience with AuDHD. I found her YouTube videos helpful. Her username is Yo Samdy Sam and if you scroll down her video list she has videos that talk about how the two traits mask each other.

I've suspected I'm autistic for about 5 years. Then more recently Instagram reels put me onto the habits of ADHD. I feel like I fit these less but I saw a lot of habits my mother used to do. I've just submitted my assessment forms for a Autism and ADHD with the NHS. (Two separate forms sent to two different departments, it was a miracle I even got one done in time haha). After reading the experiences of people officially diagnosed with both it was like a light bulb moment explaining all the struggles, paradoxical idiosyncrancies and the successes of my life.

Just wanted to say that I resonate with the other posters who had a difficult childhood and now trying to find answers, like I am now. 🫶

Here's link to Guardian article:
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/04/audhd-what-is-behind-rocketing-rates-life-changing-diagnosis

That's okay no apology needed, you're going through an intense time!!

Yes I am the combined type so both innatentive and hyperactive. A lot of my hyperactive side is internal, again very common for women.
So for me, my brain just goes at absolute 100 miles an hour at all times. There is never a single trail of thought, it's one overlapping the other and the other and the other. It's relentless actually.
I very much struggle to stay still, always 'on the go' as they say. Flit from one task to the other.
Absolutely always have to sit with some kind of fidget toy if I need to sit for a long period of time. If I don't have a fidget toy I will automatically chew my fingers, inside of my cheek / lip, pull / twist my hair. Doesn't appear obvious to others at all. Except my husband.. he will definitely throw some kind of device at me when he sees me doing it 😅
I've been through a few meds but currently methylphenidate seems to be the best so stable on that. Not as affective during the latter stage of my cycle which is another under discussed part of adhd. (Symptoms always worse around then medicated or not)

Not familiar with Richard Pink. Would definitely recommend reddit if you don't use it, there are some extremely supportive and educational groups on there for ND women

Op, I'm sorry you had to go through that. I think the diagnostic criteria is often just plain wrong, because it does not account for the fact that it is easy to come across a certain way for an hour or two during the assessment, that does not mean you are actually like this most of the time.

Also, women are often very capable of masking when it comes to interpersonal skills because we have to, but doing this takes up most of our energy and the rest of our life is falling apart because masking makes us so exhausted.

I am on the waiting list for an assessment and I'm scared the same thing will happen to me because I am capable of masking for a few hours, I can come across as the most functional, personable human, but once I have done that I literally need a week to recover from this, where I do nothing and talk to no one. That is no way to live and caused me so much problems and failures in life.