 Autism and ADHD have a number of overlapping traits, but they are distinct. You can also have both, which is known as AuDHD. Here's what you need to know.
Is it possible to have both ADHD and autism? Yes! This is sometimes abbreviated as AuDHD and it is starting to become more widely recognized. It is a bit tricky to diagnose as there are overlapping traits for both diagnoses, and getting misdiagnosed with one when you really have the other is common too. Let’s take a closer look. Some of the shared traits between ADHD and autism that may be most obvious are things like being unable to sit still (fidgeting, stimming, etc.), having more challenges with social interactions, and having intense passions/ special interests. With both diagnoses, there are issues with executive functioning skills, so getting through your to-do list can be harder. Frequent interruptions may be more difficult to bounce back from, and switching tasks can be challenging. Emotional regulation is also often a key issue, and it is common to get stuck in a fight-flight state of high stress, or a sluggish, shut-down state where it feels impossible to get anything done. Until very recently, girls usually flew under the radar for both ADHD and autism. Some families still seem to find it more socially acceptable to have a diagnosis of ADHD rather than autism, but that is rapidly changing as more and more people are coming to recognize that autism doesn’t have to ‘look’ like the outdated stereotype we may have grown up with. It is not uncommon these days to meet a girl who was diagnosed with ADHD in childhood who discovered at a later point that she was actually autistic. According to Dr. Megan Anna Neff (who has AuDHD), 30-65% of children with ADHD have clinically significant autistic traits. At this time, no one can say exactly how many of these children may have been misdiagnosed and how many of them have autism as a co-occurring condition. However, it is generally agreed on that more than half of people who have ADHD or autism will have at least one other condition, so co-occurrence does happen frequently. How do we know that ADHD and autism aren’t really the same thing then when there is so much overlap? Well, the differences can be pretty significant too. For one thing, there are medications for ADHD. There are not drugs specifically for autism. Giving ADHD meds to someone who is actually autistic can be a really bad idea. If you don’t have ADHD, stimulants can really amp you up and may increase anxiety levels, make it harder to sleep, etc. And the side effects are likely to be worse. But that’s not the only difference. An autistic person tends to need a lot of routine, and may tend to eat the same food every day and do the same tasks in the same order whenever possible. On the other hand, an ADHD person tends to have a high need for novelty, and may find it impossible to stick to any sort of routine. Those with AuDHD sometimes feel like there is a tug-of-war going on inside of them. During a highly creative streak, they may start a huge project and dive in head first, only to wake up the next morning thinking “What have I done...Why did you do this to me?!?” Other times the traits might seem to cancel each other out. You might jump into the creative project but then start organizing it and adjusting the routine to fit it in before it upsets the balance of your day. In a best case scenario, the ADHD might bring more flexibility, variety and creativity, while the autism reigns in the impulses and keeps everything more organized. It can go either way! It's also possible that one of the two will be dominant for you. In my own case, I am autism-dominant, so that my autism is usually 'in charge,' but a hint of ADHD shakes things up from time to time. Understanding the nuances of your wiring can be so helpful. For those of us that need both variety and routine, being able to implement some sort of flexible schedule can make an enormous difference. Many AuDHD folks thrive being self-employed and/or working from home so that they can get these kinds of needs met. Neurodivergence can challenge us in many ways, but it is this unique wiring that also allows us to be the innovative, creative problem solvers the world needs. Keep paying attention to what your brain is telling you. This is how we figure out how to thrive, and that is ultimately what it’s all about. Arika Rapson is a neurodivergent coach, herbalist and educator and writes frequently about her own experience as an autistic woman. She holds a MA from Stony Brook University and has coaching certification through IBCCES. Would you like these posts delivered directly to your inbox each week? Subscribe for free on Substack: arikarapson.substack.com
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