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Autism and ADHD

Amerantin (former member)
4 months ago

Hi everyone

I’ve been off my meds for nearly a month now, for the first time since I had my autism diagnosis, and am in the process of getting to know myself again.

Part of that has been to revisit the possibility that I have ADHD, or more specifically ADD, as well. There are many symptoms common to both ADHD and autism though so it’s difficult to tease them apart.

I know there are quite a few AuDHD people on this forum though. So can any of you describe the difference in experience, symptoms and behaviours between “vanilla” autism and AuDHD?

Parents
  • 4 months ago

    Still trying to work this out myself. 
    diagnosed ADHD 2021, autistic 2023. 
    I’m struggling with ADHD meds. They help with executive functions and awareness but increase sensory overload and for a few hours after I take it everything is just too much and I have to rest in quiet. 
    When you say meds, I assume you don’t mean ADHD meds? 
    id say the thing about my dual diagnosis is I need stimulation to turn my ADHD brain on to function in all ways (physical co-ordination, interception, pain as well as expected cognitive executive functions) but my autism is very sensory hypersensitive so often the things my ADHD needs, contributes to sensory overload. :/ Like with the medication. 
    positive of both is things like, im good in a crisis, my ADHD kicks in and my autism means I’m guided but rational/logical thought. 

  • 4 months ago in reply to H

    No, I was put on mirtazapine before my autism diagnosis as a combined depression and insomnia medication (except it didn't help my sleep and I think I was burned out more than depressed).

    You are corroborating what I've read elsewhere though: that autism can become more pronounced on ADHD meds because the ADHD and autism balance each other in some ways.

  • 4 months ago in reply to Amerantin (former member)

    The article on Embrace Autism was very helpful. It corroborates what I have observed in myself 

    I have only tried versions of methylphenidate though due to supply issues. When I go back in July, they want to try the amphetamine type to see if that is better. 

    I’ve been in mirtazapine in the past (long before these diagnoses) for insomnia. I had the least issue with it of all the antidepressants I tried. In general though I am very sensitive to all medication so don’t let my experience out you off trying things that may be helpful to you. 

    I also have the issue that I take HRT which interacts with dopamine so the adad medication has variables there to deal with too.  

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  • 4 months ago in reply to Amerantin (former member)

    The article on Embrace Autism was very helpful. It corroborates what I have observed in myself 

    I have only tried versions of methylphenidate though due to supply issues. When I go back in July, they want to try the amphetamine type to see if that is better. 

    I’ve been in mirtazapine in the past (long before these diagnoses) for insomnia. I had the least issue with it of all the antidepressants I tried. In general though I am very sensitive to all medication so don’t let my experience out you off trying things that may be helpful to you. 

    I also have the issue that I take HRT which interacts with dopamine so the adad medication has variables there to deal with too.  

Children
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