Another question in the "is it just #ADHD or is there some #ASD in there too" series:
I've recently learned that some people with autism have a tendency to repeat back phrases verbatim when people talk to them before answering.
I do not think this happens to me (at least not with words I hear) but I do have a tendency to do this with written text, stuff on billboards when we're driving, that sort of thing.
I have no idea why I do this. It's not like it's everything I see either. It's just sort of a compulsion that occasionally strikes for no apparent reason. Is that a thing that makes sense to anyone, or is it just me? I guess I just write it off as a weird thing my mind does when it wanders.
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I've known I have #ADHD since I was first diagnosed in high school, but sometimes I wonder if perhaps I might be somewhere on the #autism spectrum as well. Let me explain a thing that's going on right now to illustrate what I mean.
I have a canvas messenger bag. I've had it for years and love it. I keep my whole life organized in this bag. Everything has a place and I know exactly where everything is. Recently, one of the snaps that holds it closed gave out. Within a couple of days the second one went as well, so the bag just falls open, which is fine if I keep it upright, but is kind of a pain in the ass.
The place I got it from essentially has a lifetime guarantee. I'm sure I can trade it in for another "equivalent" bag, but I'm sure they won't have this exact one since it's been several years since I bought it. This causes me an enormous amount of anxiety, because the new bag will be different, and I won't just instinctively know where all its contents are (because the configuration of the internal pockets will likely be at least a little different). It's not just the act of replacing the bag, but knowing that it'll mess me up for weeks afterward too.
I feel like this dilemma could possibly be explained by ADHD alone, but I kind of wonder...
Does this resonate with anyone in the #ActuallyAutistic crowd? I am of course not looking for a formal diagnosis or anything. It's more of a curiosity.
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@Diligent Circle δΈΈ Good to know. I was unaware of the other hashtag. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
As for how I identify, I guess my answer is... I don't really know. I have however learned a lot from the autistic community on the fedi, and am grateful for that regardless of my status.
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Well, booked my first appointment with the new doctor today. Haven't had my records transferred because I don't have $200 just sitting around for the digitization fee at the moment. Hopefully he'll be willing to renew my #ADHD meds using the previous prescripiton bottles as sufficient evidence of their necessity. I really don't want to jump through those hoops again.
It's not like I'll die without them or anything, but my life will get a lot harder.
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@Shae Erisson I do plan to eventually pay the fee to have the records transferred. That should help quite a bit. It's just that the supply of meds won't hold out that long.
I should've gotten my act together sooner to take care of this, but you know... ADHD. π
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A while ago I asked a question of the #ActuallyAutistic and #ADHD communities on my old Fosstodon account and got some pretty good feedback, so now that I'm back in my regular fedi home, I figured I'd do so again (as before, boosts welcome).
I find that when something is stressing me out, I'll obsess over it until I've either solved the problem or it overwhelms me to a point where I need to completely disengage (at least for a time). Often when this happens, loved ones will notice my distress and try to help in the form of asking questions or making suggestions. The problem is that if I'm in problem-solving mode it derails my train of thought, and if I'm in "disengage" mode it prevents me from... well, disengaging.
This frequently results in me responding in ways that are... unpleasant for all persons involved. I've identified this as a problem and am trying to find better ways of handling such situations, but it's easier said than done. Has anyone else experienced this? Are there any good strategies for dealing with it?
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@loose cannon I hadn't considered that, nor in fact did I realize it was a thing to consider.
The most recent example was when this server failed. It's actually what prompted me to start asking. In addition to being a fedi server, it also runs a bunch of other services I depend on: calendar, file synchronization, contacts, to-do list, etc. All stuff I use to make navigating everyday life possible. Took me four days to fix (should've taken two, but I had to keep taking mental health breaks).
This was an extreme example, but it usually happens when something disrupts my regular routine, like losing my phone or keys.
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Me in the morning before my #ADHD meds have kicked in:
Maybe the ninth time I walk into the bathroom I'll remember to put deodorant on.
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God damned #ADHD brain.
I either get super hyper-focused on one project, to the detriment of other things (like eating and sleeping) or I'm so scattered between twenty things that I don't get anything meaningful accomplished on any of them.
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Chroniques autistes βΎοΈ π²π« π¨π¦
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Roknrol
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I do frequently read signs aloud because it does help me process.
When I repeat questions back to people it's mostly to make sure that I understand what they're asking. Sometimes I will paraphrase if I find their wording clunky, and re-asking it back is seeking confirmation that I understood it correctly.
I don't *always* do this though because most people find it offputting and I'm a highly masked individual most of the time. But when it's important, oh yeah, I repeat the question back to make sure that I "got it".
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Kevin Davy
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Susan60
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Echolalia (repeating someoneβs question or statement) is often linked to autism & ADHD.
I have a theory about ADHD. (I am an educated, well read person, but NOT a qualified expert.)
ADHD might be a particular basket of autistic behaviours relating to a need for extra, more powerful stimulation. If a personβs traits fall mostly within that basket, theyβll be diagnosed as ADHD. A personβs ADHD traits might seem to balance their autistic traits, making late diagnosis more likely, but might be confusing & unsettling for that person.
But if diagnosed with & medicated for ADHD, their other, βmore autisticβ traits might become more apparent.
Unfortunately, perceived stigma around autism can result in some ADHDers rejecting that possibility.
My initial investigations into autism were discouraging, so I looked into ADHD & bingo! But I kept looking into autism, & once I came here & started accessing better resources, I was hit by a stream of βAha!β moments.
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GinevraCat
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@Susan60 In general, having "only ADHD" and no additional diagnosis is not the norm. This only applies to about 30% of people with ADHD. I will find the numbers for you but most ADHDers have at least one concurrent diagnosis, and many have multiple.
So most ADHDers that you interact with WILL have more. And I think autism is quite a common one. I have seen proposed that AuDHD might be a thing, and you present as either more ADHD or more autistic. ....1/2
GinevraCat
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I think that, as they are currently understood, ADHD, autism, and AuDHD could probably be looked at separately. Just for getting better treatments etc. It makes perfect sense to me that when you have both the ADHD overrides the autism until properly medicated! Poor autistic brain bits. SO overstimulated π. 2/2
Susan60
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We do know that ADHD often responds well to medication, although the extent to which it is necessary probably varies greatly between people & from day to day. Itβs just a shame that some people. having addressed their ADHD issues, go no further. If they are autistic, but are in denial, theyβll be masking.
π΅ holly
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π΅ holly
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GinevraCat
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Susan60
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@holly @GinevraCat
That would be great!
I thought that ADHD exec function issues would be related to things like distraction, procrastination & forgetfulness?
My organisational skills can be brilliant due to planning (autism?) & excellent list making ability (ADHD management strategy?) . My mother was a prolific lost writer, and I reckon she was AuADHD. I reckon my oldest is ADHDAu.