Getting diagnosis and separating symptoms

[Nystagmite]

This may or may not make sense, so please bare with me:

 

I was born with a genetic condition, which wasn't diagnosed until last year. (one month before I turned 21) This genetic condition almost always leads to another condition. I was diagnosed with the other condition at the age of 4.

 

Now, people with this other condition are seen as clumsy and unco-ordinated and are often believed to have ADHD because some of us get frustrated at school because we can't do our work. (The majority of people are partially sighted and struggle with print) Or we're believed to have Dyslexia because due to the visual difficulties, we struggle to read more than the average person. I was told at college that I'm Dyslexic - I've been tested and have been told that I'm impossible to test and that as far as the education psychologist was concerned, all my problems are down to my visual difficulties and are nothing to do with Dyslexia.

 

As mentioned in another thread, it's possible for a few reasons that I could have Autism and have been asked a few times if I do have it. There's supposedly a link between Autism and two of the conditions I have.

 

I was talking to someone about this a while back and she said that some of my problems also sound like Dyspraxia. (I can't do up shoe laces properly, can't ride a bike without difficulty, I walk into everything, I am unco-ordinated and my balance is rubbish)

 

A lot of the above can be attributed to my other problems - the condition I have means that in order to focus, I have to tilt my head. This causes balance problems.

 

My question is, if I do decide (I don't really want all these labels, tbh. I'm also waiting on a diagnosis for another condition) how would I be able to separate my symptoms related to my visual problems and this? A lot of the symptoms seem to overlap.

 

Also, would I be asked to be referred to the same specialist if I did decide to get both diagnoses?

[phoenix11]

Hi Nystagmite

Not sure if you got your questions answered on another thread, but if it helps, my advice would be to get a full diagnosis. You are a whole person, and your conditions may be separate in that one does not cause the other, but they are combined in the impact they have on your life as a whole.

 

Try not to think of it as being labelled, but rather getting a complete picture of what conditions you have which affect the way you can live, or what you need in order to achieve the life you want to leed.

 

Only the specialists can advise on how you get a complete and full diagnosis leading to a better understanding of your needs, so best to ask the consultants first of all.

 

If that doesn't provide the response that helps, discuss with your GP, and maybe search the internet for forums that give specific advice and self-help info.

 

For example, if you have any concerns that you may be affected by a condition on the Autistic Spectrum Disorder, then the National Autistic Society can be a great place to start for more advice on what you can do, where you can get help, your rights etc.

[phoenix11]

Just realised that you'd asked this before on another thread a month ago, so not sure if there's anything else that can be added.

 

Hope you do get the support and diagnosis you are looking for.

[Nystagmite]

Thank you.