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.

  • pedantichedgehog@sh.itjust.works
    1·
    14 hours ago

    Like many people who identify as autistic, I never received a formal diagnosis. There are various reasons for this phenomenon: autism being historically overlooked in women and people of color, in the US restricted access to healthcare due to costs, and of course the stigma of being any flavor of neurodivergent, to name a few.

    I suppose that the characteristic I noticed first was social awkwardness, as I have never fit in with my peers long before I understood why or even heard the word autism. But my journey to self-identifying as autistic was many years, and my RAADS-R score (taken online, without direction of a medical professional) was the thing I could look at as as external, relatively-objective validation that yes, I am autistic.