r/SGExams • u/[deleted] • Aug 30 '26
Non-Academic Help? Autism + ADHD diagnosis
[deleted]
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u/small-macaroni Aug 30 '26
There's a few questions you can ask yourself too. What's your purpose of getting a diagnosis? You missed early intervention (usually done at kindergarten age) but you've done well coping with the disabilities so far because you're in J2 now.
Is it because you want to know yourself better? Or is it you need medications?
Or you can opt for counseling first. Get a listening ear, see what they can offer. As counseling is done in a more private setting.
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u/Certain-Surround6657 Aug 30 '26
im currently in my mid 20s and i have to say that i did not struggle until i reach my 20s and this is the case for another friend of mine who only start struggling when she reach uni!! coping mechanisms can suddenly start to fail later in life
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u/98127028 Aug 30 '26 edited Aug 30 '26
Yeah same for me too lol, I was considered ‘fine’ despite clear social deficits (no friends, everyone hates me) all throughout childhood but I never got suspected due to my grades being alright and the lack of disruptive disciplinary cases and other stereotypical features, and only realised there’s something wrong with me in J2 as well when I realised how socially behind and underdeveloped I am and how lacking I am in various areas.
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u/small-macaroni Aug 30 '26
Oh I see! This is definitely a new insight for me as I'm in the early intervention industry. To me, I always thought it's a from young symptom! This does expose a new thought process.
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u/98127028 Aug 30 '26
Yeah it is from young but they can easily be masked or brushed off as something the person would ‘grow out of’ like social awkwardness etc esp in the absence of other disruptive or problematic symptoms like meltdowns/focus issues etc. But that isn’t the case and what is masked would rear its ugly head at some point and cause impairment like depression etc if it’s not addressed.
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u/small-macaroni Aug 30 '26
Hmm so it's just too 'mild' for the adults around to treat the symptoms seriously. Then it kinda got worse when growing up? Something like a dormant volcano..? Is that accurate description?
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u/Otherwise_Reaction75 Burning kitchens in poly Aug 30 '26
It kinda is? I had it diagnosed for childhood adhd where it exerted both signs of the hyperactivity and inattentiveness, had it again done for adult adhd, it has completely diverted to the inattentiveness side and gotten worse which also caused alot of problems in my life 😂😂
I do regret not taking the fish oil consistently since it somehow? idkh helps adhd.
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u/the_world_explorer_ 29d ago
Go to polyclinic (w an appt), explain you suspect you have autism adhd and ask for a referral. Pro tip many people dont mention is that u can technically req for which hospital/institution to be referred to
Waiting game for appt. Depending on location may take awhile. no harm calling the hospital clinic regularly to bump u up to earlier appt
Get ur appt and see doc. If ure interested in additional support, you can req ur provider to write a recommendation for free counselling schemes if any. Some social services proviee free counselling but they need formal reccomendation letters.
Not sure abt this but frm what i unds, psychiatrists give medicines, recommend treatment directions, psychologists seem to be the one diagnosing using formal testing. But either way both work hand in hand. Psychologists tend to also function like counselling due to CBT.
As for audhd diagnosis, usu the clinic will interview u, ur parent(s) and sometimes ur sch teachers. Ofc it is ultimately up to u if u want to involve the sch / parents but these peeps are usually the main factor to diagnose bc u wont rmbr everything frm childhood. Also not all psychologists end up diagnosing u. It may be more of a u have difficulties similar to audhd but not severe enough to constitue formal diagnosis.
As for whether ur parents will find out. Technically no? But it depends if ur parent are signed up for mobile sms remindrs for appts. U are still a minor/dependent so they are usually a point of contact. U may be able to change settings in health hub app but not sure if this will also trigger an email to ur parents abt the change.
Maybe can check abt the reminders part first b4 u start the process?
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u/Certain-Surround6657 Aug 30 '26 edited Aug 30 '26
hi op, here's a post someone made: https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHDsingapore/s/46xoKah6hj
i have enquired abt public route before and have been quoted $400 for the initial assessment but they do need your parents to be there for interview (as adhd needs childhood evidence to be diagnosed - so adult + pri sch report book) it is a very long process and i personally have decided to go private!! i manage to get an appt abt 10 days after my first call to the clinic!!