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Our blog articles are written and reviewed by experienced clinicians at London Psychiatry Clinic, including consultant psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists. Every post is grounded in current research and clinical expertise to ensure that the information you read is accurate, relevant, and trustworthy. 

AuDHD: Understanding The Connection Between Autism & ADHD

Have you ever asked yourself, “Is it ADHD or autism?” Maybe you see traits of both and feel like no single diagnosis fully explains your experience. You're not alone.

Autism and ADHD often occur together, a combination known as AuDHD. While research has long recognised the overlap between these two conditions, the concept of AuDHD is still relatively new in clinical settings. It’s also not yet widely understood or formally recognised in diagnostic manuals.

This lack of recognition can make it harder for people with AuDHD to find answers or receive a diagnosis that captures their experience. Many are left navigating years of confusion, misdiagnosis, and feeling misunderstood.

In this post, we’ll explore what AuDHD means, the key symptoms to look out for, and why getting the right diagnosis can make a big difference. By understanding the connection between autism and ADHD, you can begin to navigate life with more confidence, self-awareness, and compassion.

What is AuDHD?

AuDHD Meaning and Definition

AuDHD is a term used when someone is diagnosed with both Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These are both neurodevelopmental conditions. This means autism and ADHD affect how the brain develops and works, especially in areas like communication, attention, and behaviour.

Research suggests a significant overlap: studies estimate that 30% to 80% of autistic children may also meet the criteria for ADHD, and that around 20% to 50% of children with ADHD meet the criteria for autism.

While each condition has its own set of traits, they can overlap in ways that make diagnosis tricky. Understanding how they interact is essential for getting the right support, whether for yourself, a loved one, or someone in your care.

Are Autism and ADHD Related?

Although autism and ADHD are separate conditions, research shows they share some common ground. Both are linked to differences in brain development and neurotransmitter function, like dopamine. Particularly in brain regions involved in planning, organisation, emotional regulation, and sensory processing. 

People with both autism and ADHD might:

• Struggle with impulsivity and emotional outbursts
• Find it hard to filter sensory input like noise or bright lights
• Have trouble with indirect or abstract communication
• Have interest-based attention, meaning they can focus deeply on topics of interest, but struggle with tasks that feel unstimulating

Still, it’s important to note key differences. Autism typically affects how a person communicates and experiences the world. ADHD mainly impacts attention, restlessness, and impulse control.

Is ADHD a Form of Autism?

No, ADHD is not a form of autism, but they do share similarities. They are recognised as distinct conditions with their own diagnostic criteria and neurological profiles.

Understanding the Individual Conditions

Autism Traits

For example, common symptoms of autism may include:

• Difficulty understanding non-verbal communication (like body language or tone of voice)
• Preference for routine, structure, or predictability (dislike of sudden change)
• Intense interest in specific topics or activities
• Sensory sensitivities ( to lights, sounds, or textures)
• Tendency to take language literally (can have trouble with indirect language, sarcasm or jokes)
• Feelings of overwhelm or shutdown in unfamiliar or high-stimulus environments

H3: ADHD Traits

In contrast, core ADHD symptoms include:

• Difficulty sustaining focus, especially on tasks they don’t find interesting
• A strong capacity for hyperfocus on topics they find stimulating or meaningful (something that’s often misunderstood)
• Impulsive decision-making or speech (interrupting others or acting without thinking)
• Restlessness or a constant sense of internal activity
• Struggles with planning, organisation, or completing tasks
• Mood swings or difficulty regulating emotions

ADHD in Women

ADHD often shows up differently in women and girls, which can lead to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. While boys may be disruptive or hyperactive, girls often internalise their struggles.

Common signs in women include:

• Anxiety or emotional overwhelm
• Perfectionism and fear of failure
• Overthinking or rumination
• Masking or overcompensating in social situations

This hidden presentation means many women don’t receive a diagnosis until adulthood. (You can read more about ADHD in women in our dedicated blog post.)

Symptoms in Adults vs. Children

In kids, symptoms are usually more visible compared with adults. For example:

• ADHD might show up as excessive talking or constant movement.
• Autism may present as difficulty making friends or needing strict routines.

In adults, the signs are often more subtle. Hyperactivity may look like constant mental restlessness. Adults with autism might appear “socially competent” but only because they’ve learned to mask their traits. This often comes at a cost to their mental health.

When Autism and ADHD Overlap (AuDHD)

When someone has autism and ADHD, these traits can interact in complicated ways. People with both autism and ADHD can experience a wide range of challenges that go beyond either condition alone. For example, someone might hyperfocus on a special interest (autistic trait) but still struggle to complete tasks due to distractibility (ADHD trait).

AuDHD Symptoms & Traits

Here are some common AuDHD experiences:

• Sensory overload + impulsivity: Reacting quickly or strongly to overwhelming sensations
• Hyperfocus vs. distraction: Getting stuck on one task, then struggling to switch to another
• Social challenges: Misreading cues while also interrupting or oversharing
• Emotional volatility: Feeling emotions deeply and struggling to regulate them
• Daily life difficulties: Trouble with planning, prioritising, or remembering tasks
• Heightened sensory responses: Feeling easily overwhelmed by everyday sensory input, such as clothing textures, background noise, or lighting
• Emotional sensitivity and reactivity: Experiencing strong emotions that can feel difficult to regulate, often leading to emotional highs and lows
• Mental fatigue and burnout: Becoming exhausted from masking traits, managing competing demands, or navigating environments not suited to neurodivergent needs.

AuDHD in Women

Women with AuDHD often don’t match the typical (often male-based) diagnostic criteria. Instead of being outwardly hyperactive, they may:

• Appear highly anxious or perfectionistic
• Mask their difficulties in social settings
• Experience chronic exhaustion or burnout
• Struggle silently with routines, organisation, or sensory issues

Because their struggles are less visible, women are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Sometimes with anxiety, depression, or personality disorders instead of the underlying neurodevelopmental conditions. 

Recent research has drawn attention to this gender gap in diagnosis. For decades, neurodivergent women and girls have been left behind. Facing long waits, limited support, and a lack of recognition. As more women begin to identify with both ADHD and autism, it's clear that we need more inclusive assessments and better understanding of how these conditions show up across genders.

ADHD vs Autism: Key Differences Between Autism and ADHD

Although autism and ADHD can look similar, their core differences matter:

• Autism is mainly about how someone communicates and experiences the world.
• ADHD is about how someone regulates attention and impulses.

The overlap between traits can be confusing. For example, difficulty focusing could be due to ADHD, or it could stem from autistic sensory overload. That’s why professional assessments are key to understanding the full picture.

If you're unsure where to start, our psychiatrists can offer an initial consultation to decide whether to begin with an ADHD or autism assessment. Contact us to find out more.

How is AuDHD Diagnosed?

AuDHD is not formally recognised as a condition in clinical guidelines like the DSM-5 or ICD-11. However, research and recognition of AuDHD is growing.  More clinicians are starting to recognise that people diagnosed with both ADHD and autism require unique care. Clinicians may use a combination of evidence-based approaches to assess for autism and ADHD separately while considering how traits interact, such as:

• Clinical interviews
• Standardised questionnaires
• Behavioural observations
• Input from family or school records
• Medical and developmental history

Because symptoms of autism and ADHD can mimic or mask each other, it’s important to work with a clinician who understands both. They’ll look at how traits interact, not just how symptoms show up in isolation. For example, impulsive behaviour could be driven by ADHD, or it might be a sensory-seeking trait linked to autism.

If you suspect you have ADHD with autism, seeking a specialist familiar with both conditions is essential. You can explore more about ADHD assessments and the evaluation process here.

You can also begin with our free ADHD screening test for adults.

AuDHD Test: How to Get Assessed

Assessment for autism and ADHD (AuDHD) often includes a clinical interview accompanied by questionnaires and information from people who know you well.

The assessment process may involve screening questionnaires such as the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and ADHD rating scales. Additionally, professionals may conduct direct behavioural observations and cognitive testing to assess attention regulation, impulsivity, and social interaction challenges. These tests help determine if an individual fits the profile of AuDHD and rule out other possible explanations for their symptoms.

If you’re considering an assessment, our team can support you through the process. Speak with our friendly medical secretaries today, and they can help match you with a clinician who specialises in both ADHD and autism.

Living with AuDHD

Life with AuDHD can feel like a rollercoaster. Sometimes you might feel hyperfocused and energised, other times you can feel completely overwhelmed or shut down.

But understanding your brain can change everything. Studies show that people with autism are much more likely to also have ADHD, and vice versa people with ADHD are more likely to have autism. Yet many still go undiagnosed for years.

Knowing you have AuDHD helps you get the right support and make choices that actually work for you, instead of constantly trying to fit into a neurotypical mold.

Challenges and Strengths of AuDHD

People with ADHD and autism often face a unique set of hurdles in everyday life. Common challenges can include:

• Being easily overwhelmed by everyday tasks and challenges
• Struggling to keep up with routines or schedules
• Burnout from masking or “performing” socially
• Avoidant coping mechanisms like fantasy or escapism

Despite the daily struggles, AuDHD individuals also bring exceptional strengths to the table. Their unique perspective often leads to creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking. Having a deep focus and passion for specific interests often allows them to become experts in their field. Emotional sensitivity (often seen as a challenge) can also lead to a powerful form of empathy.

Understanding the difference between autism and ADHD can clarify how these strengths emerge differently. Recognising your unique abilities is as vital as acknowledging your struggles.

AuDHD Burnout

AuDHD burnout can be intense, prolonged, and deeply misunderstood. AuDHD burnout is beyond just feeling tired. It’s a deep physical and emotional crash caused by chronic stress and sensory/emotional overload. This kind of burnout arises from the effort of masking symptoms, managing autism and ADHD symptoms, and navigating a world not built for neurodivergent minds. Signs of burnout can include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of motivation
• Increased anxiety or depression
• Emotional numbness or detachment

Recovery means more than just taking a break. It means making sustainable changes, like reducing demands, setting boundaries, and building a life that works with your brain, not against it.

What You Can Do To Better Manage AuDHD

Managing AuDHD starts with self-awareness. Once you understand how your traits show up, you can build systems that work for you.

Here are a few strategies that can help:

• Mindfulness and grounding: Helps with emotional regulation and sensory overload
• Physical activity: Eases hyperactivity and improves focus, particularly yoga, walking, or strength training
• Sensory tools: Noise-cancelling headphones, weighted blankets, or fidget tools
• Visual supports: Calendars, reminders, and visual schedules for planning
• Tailored routines: Create structures that support your energy and focus levels, including rest!

Most importantly, give yourself permission to do things differently. You’re not broken! Your brain just works differently.

Support & Treatment Options For AuDHD

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach, but many people with AuDHD benefit from:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) tailored to neurodivergent needs
• Coaching or mentoring for executive functioning
• Medication for ADHD, if appropriate (though responses vary if you're also autistic)
• Occupational therapy to help with sensory and practical challenges

At the London Psychiatry Clinic, we offer assessments and support tailored to people navigating both autism and ADHD. You can book an ADHD assessment or take a free adult ADHD test to get started.

Conclusion

Living with AuDHD can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be confusing. With the right understanding, support, and tools, you can manage your challenges and celebrate your strengths.

Key Takeaways:

• AuDHD refers to the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD in one person.
• These conditions can overlap and interact in unique ways.
• Recognising both challenges and strengths is essential to building meaningful support.
• If you think you might have AuDHD, start with a free ADHD test or speak with our friendly team to find out about getting an assessment.