What's the process of getting an ADHD diagnosis like?

[OmoriKinnie]

I have a question because I think I have ADHD as well as autism, but I haven't been diagnosed with the former yet. So for those who've been diagnosed with ADHD, what's the process like? Is it sexist like the autism diagnosis criteria? How would my parents react if I told them I wanted to take a diagnosis test "just to be sure"? You can also answer any questions you think need answering that I didn't mention. I wanna learn as much as possible.

 

[All-Rounder]

I don't know if anyone can tell you how your parents might react. Typically, they might reject it, especially if they're generally self consumed and bad at listening. Have you had any other times when you told them something important to you, a secret or something, you might know what to expect from them.

There is a lot of misinformation about autism, so they will not know what it means, and might wave it off because they might link it to mental disability which is completely different but can be present in people with autism.

 

[vergil96]

Is it sexist like the autism diagnosis criteria?

Upbringing is sexist and the criteria don't account for it, women are taught to mask more, there is more emphasis on communication in upbringing of girls.

 

[OmoriKinnie]

Upbringing is sexist and the criteria don't account for it, women are taught to mask more, there is more emphasis on communication in upbringing of girls.

Yeah... I've had mainly positive experiences with special interests because they helped me mask a lot of the time and I've never had a sensory overload (that I can remember) until 6th grade, which helped quite a bit with that. But now, I like to embrace who I am without a care in the world of who makes fun of me, because who SHOULD care?! I only mask so I don't get in trouble. That's the only reason I do it now.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

OP is 13 yrs old. Be respectful and tactful in your responses.

 

[vergil96]

I'm sorry if I said something wrong (please just ignore me then)

 

[OmoriKinnie]

OP is 13 yrs old. Be respectful and tactful in your responses.

I'm okay with dark truths, I've experienced it before with my ex-gf (although describing the exact incident would probably get me banned). I just don't like that 3-letter word, you know...

 

[Rodafina]

These threads may help.

ADHD and Autism

My mom was recently diagnosed with ADHD and I found this cool article describing the common link between each condition. I didn’t know it’s common to have an offspring with Autism when the mother has ADHD. I thought it was a cool thing to know...

www.autismforums.com

ASD vs ADHD

Excuse me if my questions are basic. But is it possible to have ASD without sensory issues? From what I've gathered ASD and ADHD tend to be confused in diagnosis. What are the differences, when taking into account that sensory overload, meltdowns as well as stimming can result from ADHD?

www.autismforums.com

 

[Misty Avich]

I got diagnosed with ADHD about 2 years ago, and I wish I had been diagnosed with that earlier on in life, as it fits me well, much more than ASD.
Surprisingly it only took a few months for me to get assessed and diagnosed with ADHD. It was during the lockdown time so it had to all be done over the phone and video call. I didn't have many tests, but I did find some old documents I kept like school reports, and I have a good memory of my childhood so I was able to explain my difficulties all through my life, and when the results came back I had scored high on ADHD, both inattentive and hyperactive type.
It was surprising that I hadn't got diagnosed in childhood given how high I scored, but back then it was more or less known as 'naughty schoolboy syndrome'. And being so I wasn't naughty at school, nor a boy, it got missed and my awkwardness got misdiagnosed as a mild autism disorder.

 

[OmoriKinnie]

There is a lot of misinformation about autism, so they will not know what it means, and might wave it off because they might link it to mental disability which is completely different but can be present in people with autism.

Srry for not responding earlier! I just don't know what to say lol. I'm most likely ASD1, I have a sister who's ASD3, and a cousin who's ASD2. My parents know what autism in kids looks like in all sorts of different ranges because of our recent family history. Also, they most likely know what ADHD is.

 

[Luca]

Professionals still seem to be more convinced that I only have ADHD than that I also have autism (I'm convinced that I have autism though.) But I was diagnosed with both when I was young.

I remember very little about being diagnosed with ADHD other than being told that I had it lol. I was a kid. The psychiatrist I started seeing when I was in college (my current psychiatrist) just reiterated that I definitely have ADHD, and had me try a few different medications for it, although the side effects of all of them outweighed any potential benefit. I know everyone's brain chemistry is different but I would not be likely to recommend Concerta or Wellbutrin. They both made me very irritable and angry.
I also have the hyperactive type, not the inattentive type. In most situations I'm about the opposite of inattentive. But anyone who knows me is very aware that I'm hyperactive.

I'm sure the process of diagnosing women and girls is a bit sexist, like how it is with autism (girls are taught to mask more and usually present as having better social skills and more mainstream interests.)
When I was younger, it was kind of unusual for a girl to have an ADHD diagnosis, so I don't know if my teachers really believed that I had it. Up until kind of recently, there was a lot of stereotyping that only boys had it.

I don't know your parents, so I have no idea at all how they would react, but I would suggest that you are honest and straightforward with them, and tell them that you think you would benefit from getting a diagnosis (especially if it would be helpful for you in school.)
If you are going to be evaluated for any diagnosis, especially given that you are 13, I would recommend having your parents be involved in some way (if you have a good relationship with them. If you don't, disregard this advice.)

Hope this answered some of your questions. Feel free to ask more if you would like.

 

[Slime_Punk]

When I got my ADHD diagnosis, I had unknowingly (by not doing enough research) stepped into an ADHD clinic, so the process was pretty much like an internet quiz; I was seated alone in a room, told to fill out a whole bunch of papers and then waited for the psychologist to review everything. Once that happened, since he was laser-focused on ADHD (I hadn't been diagnosed with ASD yet, so I had no idea I was neurodivegent), he said I matched all the criteria for ADHD, and that was pretty much where it ended.

Depending on where you go, it can actually be pretty straightforward -- in my experience, specialists can usually give you a hard yes or no, and it's worth it to get as far away from generalists if you highly suspect something very specific like ADHD or ASD. And of course, they're overlooked by a lot of the non-specialists, so it helps to have someone trained on actually determining whether you've got what you think you have or not.

 

[OmoriKinnie]

@Luca

I've been officially diagnosed with autism. However, I want to get tested for ADHD because I have a very high number of symptoms of hyperactive and inattentive ADHD. /lh

Also, ty for the info yall! I may have to look on Google Maps for a specialist near me, tho. My county and the other one closest to me are pretty bad areas in general and I might not be able to find a specialist near me... I'll go check. Update: the nearest one is not in my county, but the other one. It's 30 minutes or more depending on traffic, although generally would be 40-50 minutes away. Good if I just needed a diagnosis and medication recommendations. Another update: that was a complete lie as the one I mentioned DOESN'T EVEN OFFER A DIAGNOSIS. There's one in my local area, so I'm happy!

Edited an atting of someone to get my message right. Also added "yall" to a statement. Also removed the link so it wouldn't go to the very wrong person lol. Btw my change didn't remove the link, but changed it, thank goodness.