WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition in which people typically present with differences in social interaction, communication, and behaviour. Autism is not a condition to be cured but better seen as a difference in neurotype, and we see as a diffability, rather than a disability. Although autistic people can have many challenges, they can also be gifted, and thank goodness we have autistic people on the planet, as they are often the experts in their field and make the most detailed and analytic thinkers! Autism was often thought of in a linear spectrum, but it is better to think of the spectrum in a circle, with different segments for different areas that might impact, such as sensory differences or strong and special interests (SPins) for each individual impacting them in different ways. Not one autistic person is the same as another, just like any neurotypical person (everyone is unique) and brings their own profile, (neurospicy/sparkliness) to the table.
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Autism was historically seen to be more common in boys and men, however, with recent advancements in assessment, and understanding the internalised presentation, more girls and women have been identified given their ability to mask and camouflage. Men can also present with an internalised presentation of autism too, and with better assessment measures we are now able to diagnose more accurately which helps improve treatment plans and better outcomes for every individual. There is a genetic component for autism, and so it is likely if you are autistic, or you are considering an assessment for autism, ask yourself if there is anyone else in your family that you might share some similarities with, as this is often the case!
WHAT IS ADHD?
Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by particular difficulties with inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Individuals with ADHD can experience problems with organisation, time management (including time blindness), getting started on a task, sustaining attention, and find it hard to filter out distracting or irrelevant stimuli, as well as forgetfulness or losing items.
People with ADHD can also be very skilled in generating new ideas, be amazing inventors, creative, not afraid to take risks, have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and have an ability to hyperfocus or get a large amount of work completed last minute.
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Similarly to autism, some people can have an internalized presentation (often the inattentive subtype) and be skilled maskers! However, this often comes at a cost to energy, wellbeing and emotion regulation, resulting in burn out, depression, anxiety and relationship problems. Some people might not get diagnosed until later in life when demands become more complex (such as work, life admin, health) and the masking is too hard.
Many girls and women are being diagnosed with ADHD later in life due to masking, or even have been misdiagnosed, making treatment outcomes poor.
WHAT IS OCD?
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition where people can experience recurring thoughts, images, sensations, or ideas (the obsessions) and to eradicate the obsessions a person will typically engage in a repetitive act, such as checking, washing, seeking reassurance, self-harming, mental acts (e.g., counting) or similar acts (the compulsions) that impact their daily life.
Not being able to act on the compulsion can cause significant distress. People with OCD either know their obsessions are irrational (OCD with fair insight) or, believe they are probably true (OCD with poor insight), or are convinced the obsessions are true (OCD with absent insight/delusional beliefs).
The most evidenced based psychological treatment for OCD is called Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). Some people find a combination of psychological therapy and medication to be the most effective treatment.
CO-OCCURING CONDITIONS
Did you know that sometimes conditions can co-occur together? In medical terms, this is called a comorbidity, but really, it’s not that morbid, it just means your brain has a bit more going on, and this makes you even more unique and dare I say, a bit more of the neurosparkly..!
This means you can have autism and ADHD, or autism, ADHD and OCD. Another common comorbidity is autism and eating disorders, also ADHD and Binge-eating disorder. Addiction and ADHD can also be common!
The good news is, if any of this is resonating with you, you have come to the right place, as we are experts in knowing all about these co-occurring conditions and also how to differentiate between them.​
ASSESSMENTS
​At All Brains Psychology, our clinicians have all been trained in conducting comprehensive assessments and to draw up individualised therapy plans to help each person take the next step forward with more ease and not just survive but thrive.