Adult Autism and ADHD
Autism and ADHD are often not recognised until adulthood. But it is never too late to get a diagnosis, access support, and start your journey as a neurodivergent adult.
Neurodivergent adults
Autism and ADHD are differences in neurological functioning and can lead to various difficulties if they are not recognised or given the appropriate attention or support. As an adult, you may have recently had a child diagnosed and have wondered whether you may be autistic or have ADHD too. Or, perhaps you have always known you were different to most other people but could not quite put your finger on why.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is characterised by difficulties with attention/concentration and hyperactivity/impulsivity, but it largely impacts self-regulation. This means that it can be difficult to regulate your behaviours (or impulses), movement (hyperactivity), and focus (inattention). It also means that you likely have difficulties with time management, organisation, planning and prioritising tasks, regulating your emotions, and remembering things. As an adult, you may have developed skills to compensate for these areas of deficiency. For example, you may be very organised at work, but struggling to organise your day to day life at home.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition characterised by difficulties with social communication, understanding emotions in self and others, and also often involves other particular differences such as a preference for sameness or routine, intense interests, and sensory sensitivities. As an adult, you may have developed many ways of coping with these differences and that could include rules for understanding social engagement, connecting with others with similar interests, and avoidance of sensory triggering things, e.g bright lights, noisy environment, tags on clothes…
An assessment of your current difficulties, identity, and lifestyle along with a comprehensive assessment of your childhood and adolescence will help our psychologists to come to a conclusion as to whether you are Autistic or have ADHD. Following this, your psychologist will work with you to find new ways of living your best neurodivergent life!
We can help you
- Understand and find acceptance in your neurodiversity
- Build strengths based perspective
- Identify areas in need of support
- Develop new ways of managing in a neurotypical world
What to expect
Making your first appointment
Once you’ve decided to try therapy, call our kind and caring admin team on (02) 9139 0126 to discuss what you are having difficulty with and book your first appointment.
Attending the initial consultation
In the initial consultation, your therapist is looking to build a picture of how you’ve come to where you are today and what you are looking to get out of therapy. Your therapist will do their best to address any questions or concerns you may have about the process.
Creating a treatment plan together
Over the first three sessions, your therapist will work collaboratively with you to establish goals for therapy. They are designed to be specific, realistic, and tailored to your needs.
Undergoing therapy
As your therapy goes on, you will continue the process of building a trusting relationship with your therapist. You will work with them to find alternative ways of thinking and behaving, build resilience and learn new skills that will help to see yourself and the world differently, and promote helpful actions in life.
Book an appointment today
Ready to see a psychologist?
There can be lots of questions that come up when you’re trying to make a decision about whether to see a psychologist. If you have a question that we haven’t answered in our FAQ, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on (02) 9139 0126 or email info@marsdenpsychology.com.au . Our friendly support team will get back to you within one business day.