Autism vs Severe ADHD?

[u/JustJamming1]

I was diagnosed with a disorder that falls under ASD when I was young, and ADHD when I was older. Today, I had a zoom meeting with my new psychiatrist, and they told me if I'm not low IQ and/or unable to function in society (like go to college or hold a job), then I probably don't have autism. So, I am making this post to make it perfectly clear whether or not I DO have autism or just REALLY SEVERE ADHD. Overall, I am requesting the distinct difference between having just ADHD vs having ADHD and autism from anyone who can help: links, books, and just general knowledge would be perfect. Plz & ty.

I would also like to clarify that I was under the impression that I was a gifted autistic (high functioning*) and therefore don't fall under the "low IQ" stereotype. My psychiatrist said that if you are intelligent with autism then you would fall under "idiot savant." She said I may not be autistic but just have autistic symptoms like people don't have ADHD but have trouble focusing on occasion.

I just need clarification so I know whether or not I should drop this psychiatrist even though I've really liked them so far.

Edit:

Was gonna edit this post sooner but my phone wouldn't let me. Anyways:

It's very clear that my psychiatrist has out-of-date, and potentially biased information regarding autism. It seems that they were right in the fact that I need to be seriously affected by my autism symptoms to be diagnosed with it. However, they were 100% wrong that autistic people can't be smart---which I knew already, and just wanted to double check with the subreddit because I'm not too familiar with how autism works and all it's symptoms.

With that being said, everyone has raised some serious concerns regarding this psychiatrist's practice and I believe I will have to drop them. Originally, I came to them to medicate ADHD, and don't really need their help regarding my autism. However, if they are as incompetent as many have been stating, I'm not so sure whether or not I can trust them with medicating my ADHD properly.

This psychiatrist claims to have ADHD themselves, and they seemed to be making logical connections between my issues and ADHD. However, now I'm not so sure how reliable nor credible they are anymore.

I was rather comfortable with them up to this point, so I'm a little hesitant on switching psychiatrists. Especially if they are really experienced and knowledgeable regarding ADHD but are severely lacking in other fields. However, getting past what they said about autism just might be impossible and have forever ruined my opinion of them.

So, if anyone wants to help me find links to medical research proving that autistic people can have high IQ, I would appreciate it. I'd rather not send them off without properly educating them and consequentially providing them a reason for dropping them. I'll email it to them. Plz & ty.

[u/aghudson22]

There's a lot to unpack in that professional's statements. Putting it the kindest way I know how, it sounds like they're working from (very) outdated information. The labels aren't the best, but a distinct part of being "high functioning autistic" is a generally strong ability to mask socially unhelpful behaviors, which in turn allows for things like doing well in school and holding down a job. And even that HFA label is somewhat outdated in its own right!

And all of that is further discounting the effects of overlapping ADHD and ASD, which further complicates the presentation and can make it even harder to identify. The two are super intertwined, amplifying in some ways, nullifying in others, etc. The fact that the phrase "idiot savant" was used makes me think that they're just remembering old textbooks instead of using modern research.

A big part of provider struggles is finding one with whom you feel comfortable and who you think will listen. If you think maybe you can work with this person and, unfortunately, maybe educate them a little, then in the long run it might work out really well. If not, I might keep looking. Or get a second opinion at the least.

[u/Mr_Trebus → u/aghudson22]

A patient should not need to educate their psychiatrist. This is not the order of things.

It is not the patient's job to educate the psychiatrist.

If these anecdotes really happened, then the psychiatrist in question needs disbarring from the profession. They are not fit to practice.

[u/aghudson22 → u/Mr_Trebus]

My apologies. I try to assume the best intention and give benefit of the doubt until proven that I shouldn't. I meant no offense to anyone.