I am a person, 31, I have at times had the thought that ‘I must be Autistic’ and other times I have had the complete opposite thought. Currently, after taking a few online batteries and reading a bit more Im quite sure I am not.

Reasons I think I am not revolve around 3 symptoms/ criteria - repetitive gestures and routines.

I do; however, highly suspect I have ADHD.

I suppose my question ‘boils down’ to this, probably naaive idea thst autism is the exact opposite of ADHD, where I struggle entirely with keeping my apartment clean, getting taxes done, and enjoying my hobbies (increasing knowledge of topics I like, collecting thinks revolving around the topics, engaging in regularl, habitual activities with structure-structured engagement). It seems that Autism would he a silver bullet if I could somehow catch it.

I know this is ignorant, naaive and maybe even disrespectful or hurtful. I also am aware that there is a significant percentage of people who have both. I’d like to say that I do not mean to hurtful in this today’s impulsive quest.

Questions for real this time–

*If you are Autism/ADHD, which did your doctor notice/diagnose first?

Which did you notice might be apparent first, if you weren’t diagnosed by guidance of parents?

Do you feel a constant friction between these two sorts of things? *

I suppose I really have quite a number of questions if you (individuals whom are AuDHD or either or and are also reading this post on this phenomenon)feel like fielding them.

Apologies for the poor structure. And I hope to hear your inputs.

  • Kichae@wanderingadventure.party
    3·
    2 days ago

    So, a couple of things to keep in mind:

    • ADHD and Autism are fairly closely related, and can have significant overlaps in how they present. Special interests, collections, and knowledge cultivation are not uncommon among people with either condition.
    • Repetitive gestures can be very small things – I rock gently, squish my toes, tap my feet, crack my knuckles, and rub my thumb along my fingertips , and I do all of these things without thinking about our noticing them. I wasn’t aware I did any of these things until others called me out on them.
    • Rituals are often incredibly informal, and amount to “I like schedules”, “I like plans”, or even “I have strong preferences”. What things are are very difficult to identify by yourself, because they are just everyday life to you. It’s not like OCD-style rituals.
    • The reasons why you have difficulty doing things matter in things like this. Do you find doing your taxes painfully boring? Do you find them overwhelming? And if so, is it because you have too much on your plate?
    • Sensory issues are a cornerstone of ASD diagnoses, and you don’t mention having any. If you were to explore that option, it would come up. The issues do not have to be in any way crippling – at least, not all of the time – but they need to be there.
    • Social impairment is another cornerstone, and remains central to the actual diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, which you also don’t mention. This is the thing that usually most directly causes disordered lives (though the sensory issues can cause real impairments, too).
    • Zebrafive@lemmy.myserv.oneOP
      1·
      2 days ago

      I find taxes, for example, to be inconsequential, immediately. I also find taxes to be…I cannot start until I get every iota of paperwork needed and not needed but deemed important by myself for unknown reasons. And then I dont get those papers, or I do but I dont actually get the papers I need only the accessory things I felt very important. Somewhat overwhelming when combined with other tasks. “Gotta do taxes” “but i NEED to so laundry” “gotta fold clothes, BUT I dont really” so on and so fourth.

      Thank you for your reply. I suppose what I need to do is be more mindful of symptoms and ‘watch myself more closely’ until the assessment.

      I do find moving my toes up and down is comforting, sometimes rocking my upper torso (when i know im not being observed) is also comforting. But it feels natural like probably everyone does that a little bit. Especially when very stressed.

      The social criteria is the main mover or primary motivation for seeking diagnoses. I dont know if it this or that disorder but I have always felt different amd been described in various ways as being different. I find it bery hard to imagine how one can meet friends, maintain friends, let alone have a long term romantic partner who lives in the same household. I never make eye contact as it makes it me lose my train of thought.Eye contact seems like a thing that is directly opposed to meaningful conversation, how can anyone focus and fully flesh out a thought when staring at a goblet of eye. I do feel as though I have higher than average knowledge of how others feel or what their emotions are when speaking to them. I believe this to be an adaptation based on my life.

      A mannerism I’ve been called out on is that my vocal volume is so low thst people cannot hear me and then I will begin to shout a few randomly. This is because I randomly remember that I am prone to speaking too quietly. This has resulted in comedic situations, and people being genuinely upset (angry) thst I was yelling at them.

      Thanks foe the reply