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Attention problems (not ADHD)

Inah

Hi, I am newly as well as late diagnosed and since diagnosis I struggle from imposter syndrome. One the reasons is that I don’t have a special interest nor the ability to deep dive due to attention issues. I find it hard to stay focussed on one thing, and that’s even when I do something I like. I also switch routines and obsessions/ short-term interests. So I thought it could be ADHD/ AuDHD, but was found to definitely not have ADHD (went for an assessment). I feel a bit lost because when I google attention problems in autism, AuDHD comes up all the time which seemingly I don’t have, and in most forums people who say they have problems with attention, seem to be able to focus on things they have a special interest in. I am not sure what to do now? Any advice?

Parents

  • Could you give a bit more detail about what your attention difficulties are and any other difficulties that made you think ADHD? And also about your ADHD assessment and why they ruled it definitely not?

    I ask because I am now diagnosed with autism and ADHD but when I originally went for my autism assessment, I queried ADHD and he fully ruled it out. After much research, I discovered that his reasoning was very outdated and so persued a specifically ADHD assessment and this time got a resounding yes. I think there was only criteria I didn't score for. 

    Attention problems are only one aspect of ADHD so it may have been that you didn't meet any other criteria. Hyperfocus is certainly an aspect of autism and ADHD but you wouldn't need to have both to hyperfocus so it could be that you don't have interest based focus. I'm not sure hyperfocus is a necessity with ADHD though, just common. It could be that your ADHD assessment was outdated.

    Switching routines, obsessions and interests. Does fit in with ADHD more so than autism though.

Reply

  • Could you give a bit more detail about what your attention difficulties are and any other difficulties that made you think ADHD? And also about your ADHD assessment and why they ruled it definitely not?

    I ask because I am now diagnosed with autism and ADHD but when I originally went for my autism assessment, I queried ADHD and he fully ruled it out. After much research, I discovered that his reasoning was very outdated and so persued a specifically ADHD assessment and this time got a resounding yes. I think there was only criteria I didn't score for. 

    Attention problems are only one aspect of ADHD so it may have been that you didn't meet any other criteria. Hyperfocus is certainly an aspect of autism and ADHD but you wouldn't need to have both to hyperfocus so it could be that you don't have interest based focus. I'm not sure hyperfocus is a necessity with ADHD though, just common. It could be that your ADHD assessment was outdated.

    Switching routines, obsessions and interests. Does fit in with ADHD more so than autism though.

Children
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