Specialised Care for ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Disorder

• Underachievement: Despite having the intellectual capacity, individuals with ADHD might not reach their full potential in academics or their careers due to the challenges posed by their symptoms.
• Stressful Success: Even when individuals with ADHD do succeed, the journey can be fraught with stress, overexertion, and burnout due to the constant need to navigate and manage their symptoms.
• Latent Skills: Skills and talents may remain underdeveloped or unrecognized due to the overshadowing difficulties in attention and organization.

•  ADHD affects multiple domains of an individual’s life, including relationships, career, self-esteem, and mental health
• Beyond academics, ADHD can affect every element of a person’s functioning, including time management, organization, social interactions, and emotional regulation.
• Recognizing that ADHD is not just about hyperactive behavior or inattention is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and support. By understanding the diverse ways in which ADHD can manifest, including rejection sensitivity and addictive behaviours, society can better support individuals with ADHD to lead fulfilling lives.
• Rejection sensitivity is characterised by extreme emotional sensitivity and emotional pain associated with the perception of being rejected or criticized. This is common among individuals with ADHD and can significantly impact their self-esteem and interpersonal relationship. 
• ADHD often co-exists with other conditions such as anxiety, depression, learning disorders, and more, making the diagnosis and management complex.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) can sometimes exhibit overlapping symptoms, leading to challenges in distinguishing between the two conditions.

It’s important to note that ADHD and ASD can also co-occur, meaning an individual can have both conditions simultaneously. This can further complicate the diagnostic process.

Given the overlap and potential for co-occurrence, a thorough and comprehensive evaluation conducted by healthcare professionals is crucial for accurate diagnosis and tailored intervention planning.

Overlapping Symptoms:

1. Attention Difficulties
2. Impulsivity
3. Social Challenges
4. Hyperactivity
5. Sensory Sensitivities

Distinguishing Features:

1. Nature of Social Challenges
2. Repetitive Behaviours and Restricted Interests
3. Communication Difficulties
4. Response to Change

Neither ADHD nor ASD has prevented the following acclaimed individuals achieve success: 

Famous Individuals with ADHD:

1. Richard Branson: Founder of Virgin Group
2. Emma Watson: “Harry Potter” series actress
3. Will Smith: American actor, rapper
4. Ryan Gosling: Canadian actor, producer
5. Paris Hilton: American media personality
6. Adam Levine: Maroon 5 lead singer

Famous Individuals with ASD:

1. Susan Boyle: Scottish “Britain’s Got Talent” singer
2. Sir Anthony Hopkins: “Silence of the Lambs” actor
3. Greta Thunberg: Swedish environmental activist
4. Courtney Love: American singer, actress
5. Jerry Seinfeld: American comedian, actor

Certain historical figures possibly having traits consistent with ADHD or ASD:

1. Albert Einstein: The physicist, possible traits of ASD.
2. Isaac Newton: The English mathematician and physicist- traits consistent with ASD.
3. Leonardo da Vinci: Traits consistent with ADHD due to his diverse interests and unfinished projects.

Effective management of ADHD often involves a multimodal approach, combining various treatment modalities tailored to the individual’s needs.

1. Medication:

• Stimulants: Medications are commonly prescribed for ADHD and can help increase attention and self-control by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
• Non-Stimulants: Some individuals may benefit from non-stimulant medications which can also improve attention, self-control, and restlessness.

2. Lifestyle Factors:

• Stress Management: Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can help individuals with ADHD manage stress and improve focus.
• Sleep Optimization: Ensuring a consistent sleep schedule and practicing good sleep hygiene can be beneficial for cognitive function.
• Nutrition: A balanced diet with an emphasis on omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and minimizing sugar can sometimes contribute to symptom management.
• Movement and Exercise: Regular physical activity, including aerobic exercise, can have a positive impact on attention and behavior.
• Hormone Optimization: Monitoring and managing hormonal imbalances, under medical guidance, can sometimes be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

3. Psychotherapeutic Interventions:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help individuals develop strategies to manage their symptoms, improve organizational skills, and cope with emotional challenges.
• Coaching: ADHD coaching focuses on helping individuals develop strategies to manage time, organize tasks, and achieve goals.
• Psychoeducation: Educating individuals with ADHD and their families about the disorder can empower them to understand and manage symptoms effectively.

4. Academic and Workplace Adjustments:

• Accommodations: Adjustments like extended test-taking time, quiet workspaces, or frequent breaks can help individuals with ADHD perform optimally in academic and professional settings.
• Assistive Technology: Tools and apps that assist with organization, reminders, and time management can be beneficial.

5. Behavioral Interventions:

• Behavioral Therapy: This can involve training parents, teachers, and adults with ADHD in strategies to manage and change disruptive behaviors.
• Social Skills Training: Some individuals may benefit from training in social skills to improve interpersonal interactions.

6. Support Networks:

• Support Groups: Connecting with others who have similar experiences can provide emotional support and practical advice.
• Family Therapy: It can be helpful for families to work together to understand and support a loved one with ADHD.

7. Alternative and Complementary Therapies:

• Neurofeedback: Some individuals explore therapies like neurofeedback, though the evidence supporting its efficacy can be limited.
• Mind-Body Practices: Practices such as tai chi or martial arts can be helpful for some in managing symptoms.

The Sanctum ADHD/ASD Assessment pathway is a comprehensive process which collates multiple sources of evidence, objective testing, a data driven approach, completed by a multidisciplinary team. We are proud to say our assessments for ADHD and ASD surpass the NICE guidance. 

The assessment and treatment protocol at Sanctum not only aligns with, but surpasses the NICE guidelines. Our assessment and treatment plans are held to the highest standards of professionalism and care, where all regulated activity is carried out by a specialist healthcare professional and overseen by a specialist GMC-registered consultant clinician within our CQC-registered facility.

We have a very high success rate in achieving shared care agreements with primary care.

In some circumstances, it is pertinent for us to understand why the GP is reluctant to take on shared care. If they have no previous experience of working with an established provider like Sanctum, they may have concerns about quality of care or our approach. We are happy to provide any reassurance in this domain.

It is important that media reports about private providers had painted a negative portrayal of the services available and this may be impacting the GP’s consideration towards agreeing SCA. Not all providers are the same and all sectors of healthcare have good and poorly performing providers. Any concerns or queries we can address on request.

The GP may not have a good knowledge or experience of how debilitating ADHD is and how treatment is fundamental to good quality of life. We are happy to provide education to any primary care provider to address knowledge gaps, at no cost.