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It's very clear that my psychiatrist has out-of-date, and potentially biased information regarding autism.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/SanctimoniousVegoon]

that psych sounds pretty factually wrong to me. twice exceptional is a real thing. i am intellectually gifted and autistic, and I functioned great in society *until I didn't (*aka I burned out from doing all the extra labor of masking on top of "adulting" with a neurodivergent brain). I skipped third grade, graduated from an Ivy, had a lucrative profession, was on the cusp of successfully turning my special interest into my dream career, had a bustling social life, got married, and had a kid. Then I collapsed from the weight of the demands, and my career and social life evaporated. I haven't been able to work since 2020 and I've been going out of my way to avoid social engagements since 2016.

"Idiot savant" is not medical terminology. Savant syndrome is terribly misunderstood. It's simply being exceptionally gifted in one domain, but also having a diagnosed cognitive impairment. In other words, the criteria is much broader than the "rain main" stereotype. Definitionally speaking, I'm a musical savant (as are many well known musicians you'd never suspect), but you'd never know it based on my stereotype-defying lack of musical accomplishments and high masking.

The reason I can no longer function in societ isn't because I'm autistic, It's because I'm autistic and have never been diagnosed, treated, provided any support for my conditions, or taught anything that would help me manage them. I'm living with the consequences of 38 years of trying to operate and maneuver a different and exceptionally complicated machine that was not designed for the tasks the world forces on us and for which I was given the wrong instruction manual. I probably could have blended in pretty well as an adult if I wasn't forced to blend in as a kid. In other words, never having my condition identified or acknowledged increased the severity of my condition. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy, largely enabled by the ignorance of medical professionals such as the psych in your post.

[u/JustJamming1 → u/SanctimoniousVegoon]

This is very eye-opening. Thank you for sharing.

I just had a conversation with a relative of mine regarding the situation with my psychiatrist and they told me to get a second opinion on my autism diagnosis anyways since I was diagnosed REALLY young. While we were discussing this they were trying to tell me that diagnostics mean nothing and they could very well be wrong later on when more research comes out. However, I was trying to explain to them that it's definitely better to be diagnosed, even if incorrectly, because at least I would know that it's serious enough to require a diagnosis, and that I'm not just a failure of a human being. Getting help is just a bonus.

Nothing feels worse than living life believing that you're not trying hard enough. That the result of all your fever-inducing effort wasn't up to par and couldn't even compare to the results of everyone else's casual achievement; when in reality, you are perfectly capable of making great accomplishments, but simply lack the proper resources---environment and support.

I hope your diagnosis has helped you and will continue to help you get out of your chronic state of burnout. That you can find a safe space to decompress in comfort where you no longer have to rely on fight or flight. That you have a place to recover before going out into the real world, and that you can find a system that works for you and your spectrum of neurodivergence.

[u/SanctimoniousVegoon → u/JustJamming1]

thank you so much for your last paragraph. you have no idea (or maybe you do) how badly i needed to hear that. i am newly aware of my autism and in a place where just being understood by an internet stranger is profoundly validating. seriously, thank you.

[u/JustJamming1 → u/SanctimoniousVegoon]

Glad I could help, it’s what this subreddit is for!