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Are there any Autistic people who also have ADHD here?

Pootalfun

Hi everyone,  I was diagnosed with both Autism and ADHD and would like to connect with similar people for advice please. In particular I would like to hear of experiences from people who take ADHD medication. I have started Elvanse for my ADHD, only three days in now. I wonder if anyone else takes an ADHD stimulant and whether it affects their autistic traits in any way? I appreciate that this is a very personal ask and maybe people won’t want to disclose this and that’s absolutely fine isn’t it? Otherwise, just chatting with others about how it feels to have both autism and ADHD will be so helpful for me, I don’t know any people with both. Thank you 

Parents

  • I have both. I don't take medication though, I did try but I had side effects that made it not worth it. I have heard many people comment that the autistic traits can become more obvious when on ADHD meds though.

    I feel like my autism and ADHD are always competing. One wants one thing and one wants another. One usually wins. In work the autistic traits are far more obvious but at home I'd say the ADHD ones are. They mask each other in a way. 

    It's a difficult combination of conditions.

  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

       this is very interesting because I feel very similar to you in that the two conditions compete with each other - may be why my husband comments that I am a walking contradiction?! I genuinely get so confused about myself. I am on my titration trial so I am observing for any side effects, not sure if I’d feel them this soon? Only three days in. Do you manage your work ok? 

  • in reply to Pootalfun

    In some ways ADHD helps me in work. I tend to very much go into hyperfocus mode in work. I don't always go about things the best way - I tend to start 5 tasks at once but I get there in my own way. Sometimes the impulsivity can be a bit difficult - I tend to interrupt a lot of find myself in situations where I really need to take a breath before I react. 

    I'd say autism is harder in work - I struggle when things change and sometimes understanding what people meant and workplace banter can be difficult. 

    I find that I've used up all my functioning at work and by the time I get home I've got nothing left for home stuff. 

    I had side effects after day 1. I think you're more likely to get them and then they subside rather than the other way round but I'm not an expert. I just found them side effects that I couldn't put up with to see if they'd subside. It was annoying, I'd have liked to have try them a bit longer to see if they actually helped.

  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    I work two full days a week and I’m exhausted after those two days because my work involves daily changes, different environments and some level of socialising. I used to work three days but it became unmanageable for me and my employers allowed me to trial a two day week for the last couple of months. I have a Manager and HR meeting tomorrow to find out if they will allow this to continue. I am anxious about this.

    I Have no side effects so far so maybe I’ll be lucky, only a slight headache that I can put up with. 

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  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    I work two full days a week and I’m exhausted after those two days because my work involves daily changes, different environments and some level of socialising. I used to work three days but it became unmanageable for me and my employers allowed me to trial a two day week for the last couple of months. I have a Manager and HR meeting tomorrow to find out if they will allow this to continue. I am anxious about this.

    I Have no side effects so far so maybe I’ll be lucky, only a slight headache that I can put up with. 

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