Thought of the day: Neurodiversity certainly isn't simple

[STEM_Dad]

I was thinking about this quote a bit today:

"When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."- Sherlock Holmes, in The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

My mind responded, "Well, Mr. Holmes, it seems that neurodiversity isn't so simple."

.....

With how very common it is to have comorbidities between neurodivergent conditions (neurological, psychological, behavioral, emotional), the first diagnosis is very rarely the only one.

I've been going between this forum and the CHADD Parents forum a lot, and I just keep being reminded of this fact of comorbidity.

With children and teens, it seems it's their observable behavioral issues that ultimately lead to a diagnosis of ADHD, ASD, etc.

But before that, it's more likely that a youth will be diagnosed with learning differences (previously termed "learning disabilities"), dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, anxiety, social anxiety disorder, depression (probably more likely in teens than in younger children), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), or even Bipolar Disorder.

~~~~~

In my opinion:

Earlier diagnosis of ADHD &/or ASD might better explain or help to improve the other conditions.

For example:

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Some of the people in my family have a history of dyslexia, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.

When I started to struggle with reading, having to slow down to absorb context, sometimes reversing words, phrases, or whole lines of text in my head, I thought it was a mild form of dyslexia. But once I started on ADHD medication and my working memory was greatly improved, this problem vanished (except for when I am extremely tired). So, it seems I didn't have true dyslexia, like some of my cousins were diagnosed with. (Their dyslexia is the type that mixes up letters and reverses words, if I remember right; it is corrected with glasses with a specific tint.)

My ADHD diagnosis and treatment have also greatly reduced my anxiety, because half of what I was anxious about all the time previously were about the struggles that my ADHD was causing.

~~~~~

I hypothesize that factors contributing to behavioral disorders like ODD include anxiety and RSD. Maybe I'm off track, but the pieces fit together in my mind. Plus, it fits with what ADHD experts like Dr. Russell Barkley say, that early intervention leads to better outcome overall.

There is a strong correlation between ADHD or/or ASD, and the likes of RSD, ODD, and/or DMDD. Anxiety and depression rates are higher, too. I just think that there should be more focus on identifying a person's underlying neurodivergent conditions, and the earlier, the better.

[dubstepMaul]

Thanks for your post, STEM_Dad. Makes sense. 😊

[doghome]

I agree the earlier the better and I think that is more possible these days. In my husbands case (now 63yo) it was not common when he was in school and he was made to feel dumb or something wrong with him as to why he couldnt keep up in class, which ended in him dropping out early. Had it been recognized, he sees so many possibilities now, that could of been. When we met I did encourage him to get his GED, which he did, Im proud of him for that. But he still knows now what could of been had he had help back then. So glad kids are not labeled like that so they can get the help they need. My SIL works with adhd kids in our school district and she loves it !

[STEM_Dad in reply to doghome]

"Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, 'It might have been.' " ~ Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.*

Many of us affected by ADHD look back and wish we'd known so much sooner, been diagnosed and started treatment much earlier.

I first heard of ADHD by the end of the 1990s, and first knew some high school students with the diagnosis in the early 2000s. That wasn't a good introduction, because it gave me the misconception that ADHD is a form of learning disability. (Those students were all in a special education program, and all had at least moderate learning disabilities, in addition to ADHD and other behavioral issues.)

So, if anyone had suggested to me before 2010 that I might have ADHD, I'd have denied it. After all, I was identified as a "gifted" students in K-12 school, not as "learning disabled".

I was finally diagnosed in 2020, at age 45. Now that I know so much more about ADHD, I know that it's not a learning disability, but it is a disorder that can make learning more difficult.

I also now know the term "twice exceptional" (2e), which refers to how a person can be somehow "gifted", and also have a disability or disorder.

~~~~~

Like many others with an adult ADHD diagnosis later in life, I thought a lot about what might have been. But I've lived my life with too many regrets.

Now, I try to focus much more on "what can be" instead of dwelling on "what might have been". I feel like I've got a new life ahead of me. I don't expect miracles, but I do have a lot more patience and understanding for myself than I used to. I'm much, much less self-critical than I used to be.

For now, I take things one day at a time, one week at a time. And I remind myself that I do have potentially many more years ahead to enjoy.

I'll spend that time trying to help others up, as I feel like I'm being helped up now (by this community and by others).

Life is an adventure... enjoy the journey, and enjoy the surprises along the way!🙂

~~~~~

*The original version of this quote was:

"For of all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!' "

~ from the poem "Maud Muller" from 1856, by John Greenleaf Whittier

[doghome in reply to STEM_Dad]

Thank you! You definitely sound like a man who knows what hes talking about and has done his research. My husband isnt too interested in learning more about it like you have, but he does know enough to understand he learns differently than me. Im the one who reads about it and tries to learn about it since I feel I need to understand how our brains compute differently so I can TRY to help where I can. He is more like you mentioned, he doesnt like to dwell on the could ofs, he wants to take what he knows now and move forward, and honestly at our ages, thats the best move to enjoy whats left