AuDHD: What It Is, Signs, and How to Cope

“AuDHD” is a commonly used term by many people who have both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

Rather than experiencing ADHD or autism on their own, someone with AuDHD experiences characteristics of both conditions, which can interact in complex ways. 

Both autism and ADHD can only be diagnosed by qualified healthcare providers through a comprehensive evaluation. It's important to note that AuDHD is not a recognized clinical diagnosis, however, the term is often used to give a name to the unique complexities of living with ADHD and autism simultaneously. 

Learning how to thrive with AuDHD often involves a combination of professional support, individual coping strategies, and creating environments that are more neurodiversity-friendly.

A note on language: Different people have different preferences for how they describe ADHD and autism. In this article, we use both person-first and identity-first language in recognition that no single style reflects everyone's preference.

What is AuDHD?

AuDHD is a term used to describe having both ADHD and autism. AuDHD isn’t a separate clinical diagnosis on its own; it’s a popular term used to capture the unique dynamics and experiences of living with both disorders at the same time.

Autism and ADHD are both neurodevelopmental disorders  that affect how the brain develops and processes information. The characteristics of each can overlap, interact, and sometimes complement one another. AuDHD can impact life and daily interactions in significant ways, affecting a person’s attention, emotion regulation, and social communication skills. 

Research suggests that these disorders can occur together fairly frequently: estimates vary, but some suggest that 50% to 70% of individuals with autism also have ADHD.

However, the understanding of AuDHD and research into it are still relatively new. 

Before 2013, the standard diagnostic guide used by mental health professionals in the U.S. actually prohibited the simultaneous diagnosis of both disorders. In other words, until 2013, the two disorders were thought to be mutually exclusive. It wasn’t until the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) that the combined diagnosis of both ADHD and autism was even officially possible.

In recent years, the popular recognition and understanding of this dual diagnosis has grown considerably as well, with posts and videos about AuDHD taking off on social media.

Another recent shift is that for a long time, both ADHD and autism were thought to primarily affect boys and men. These incorrect assumptions have resulted in girls and women only recently starting to be diagnosed. Many women are now finally seeking out diagnosis in adulthood, after decades of their neurodivergence being missed or dismissed. 

Now, both clinicians and individuals are increasingly recognizing how AuDHD can impact people of all genders and the unique ways it can impact women, in particular. In fact, researchers have found that women’s struggles with ADHD and autism are often exacerbated by hormonal shifts. 

For many women who have gone undiagnosed, experiencing added challenges during perimenopause can spur seeking a diagnosis. 

AuDHD vs. ADHD vs. autism

To better understand AuDHD, it can help to clarify how living with both autism and ADHD simultaneously differs from having solely ADHD or solely autism. 

ADHD is characterized by symptoms such as:

• Inattention: Difficulty paying attention to details, concentrating on tasks, and following instructions
• Hyperactivity: Moving or talking excessively, fidgeting, and being constantly on the go
• Impulsivity: Acting without thinking or having trouble with self-control

Autism is characterized by symptoms such as:

• Challenges with social communication and interaction, such as difficulties with eye contact, trouble engaging in back-and-forth conversations, and difficulty developing and maintaining friendships.
• Restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests, such as difficulty tolerating changes in routine, difficulty coping with change, sensory hypersensitivity, intense focus on niche interests to the exclusion of others, and movements such as hand-flapping or rocking.

These two disorders share some overlapping symptoms, such as difficulties with attention, trouble with self-control, difficulty managing emotions, and challenges with social communication. 

However, they also have some conflicting symptoms: while an individual with ADHD may crave newness and seek out constant stimulation, an Autistic individual may prioritize routines and become overstimulated by loud sounds or bright lighting.

Someone with both ADHD and autism experiences the symptoms of both disorders, which can interact in complex ways. For instance, someone with AuDHD might: 

• Crave routine but become bored easily 
• Want organization but struggle to create or maintain systems 
• Desire connection but feel drained after social interactions
• Seek out stimulation but also experience sensory overload (e.g., loud music, strong perfumes, or scratchy clothes make them feel anxious, unable to focus, and like they want to run away) 

What are common signs of AuDHD?

Some common signs of AuDHD can include: 

• Finding it difficult to focus, unless you have a really strong interest in the topic
• Becoming easily overwhelmed, but then feeling unable to slow down
• Talking a lot or oversharing in social settings, and then feeling awkward and embarrassed for doing so
• Wanting social connection, while finding some social interactions difficult to navigate or emotionally draining.
• Knowing what you want or need to do, but feeling unable to get started
• Using stimming behaviors (repetitive behaviors such as pacing, humming, twirling hair, tapping fingers, or rocking) to help you manage emotions and self-soothe
• Feeling exhausted and burnt out from frequently masking (i.e. hiding, concealing, or suppressing aspects of yourself or your neurodivergent traits) to navigate environments or social expectations.

The fact that symptoms of ADHD and autism can mirror each other is one of the reasons it can be difficult to recognize AuDHD. 

Can AuDHD be diagnosed?

Qualified healthcare providers can diagnose both ADHD and autism. However, there’s not a simple, standalone test you can take; receiving official diagnoses of ADHD and autism requires professional evaluation from a qualified provider. 

For both disorders, diagnosis often involves a comprehensive evaluation from a qualified professional, which can include reviewing medical history, assessing symptoms, gathering information from others in your life, using standardized rating scales, and ruling out other conditions. 

Several factors and dynamics can make it challenging to diagnose both ADHD and autism, so finding a knowledgeable, experienced provider is key. Some of the dynamics that can create diagnostic challenges include: 

• Clinical understanding of ADHD and autism as co-occurring conditions is still evolving
• Many people with AuDHD also experience other mental health conditions as well, such as anxiety and depression 
• Many people with AuDHD have spent years masking their symptoms in an attempt to blend into a neurotypical world
• Diagnostic criteria for both ADHD and autism have historically been based primarily on their presentation in males

For some people, another complex dynamic is that symptoms of one condition may become more prominent after the other condition is managed. For instance, effectively managing symptoms of ADHD can sometimes make it easier to recognize the symptoms of autism. 

If you think you may have AuDHD and are interested in receiving a diagnosis, it’s important to find a knowledgeable provider who is skilled at recognizing the nuanced signs and symptoms of these conditions when they occur together. 

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How to cope with AuDHD

Living with ADHD and autism can present complex challenges in various aspects of day-to-day life. However, it’s worth noting that for some people with AuDHD, they may see their challenges as stemming more from living in a society that’s often geared more toward “neurotypical” people, rather than solely resulting from the characteristics of their conditions. This way of thinking is often rooted in the social model of disability. 

Another concept worth mentioning here is the idea of neurodiversity, which encourages people to recognize that there isn’t one “right” way of thinking or behaving, and that conditions like autism and ADHD are natural variations of the human brain, not deficits. 

Figuring out how to thrive with AuDHD can involve finding ways to effectively manage these different traits as an individual (such as through professional support and individual coping strategies), but it can also mean workplaces, schools, and communities creating environments that are more neurodiversity-friendly. 

With that in mind, for an individual with AuDHD, some of the following strategies and approaches may be helpful: 

• Where it feels safe and supportive to do so, create opportunities to reduce masking and engage in activities or relationships where you can feel more like yourself.
• Find concrete ways to reduce unwanted sensory input, such as wearing noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and comfortable clothes
• Experiment with routines, organization tools, and time-management techniques to help you find things that work for you
• Explore self-care strategies that help you reduce stress and regulate emotions, such as movement, journaling, mindfulness practices, creative activities, time in nature, or other approaches that feel supportive to you.
• Be kind to yourself: navigating life with both ADHD and autism can be complex, and you're allowed to feel however that experience affects you.

Living in a world that isn't always designed for neurodivergent people can be exhausting at times. Give yourself permission to acknowledge what's difficult and celebrate what helps you thrive.

Can therapy help with AuDHD?

For many people with AuDHD, professional support is often an essential part of figuring out how to manage symptoms effectively and improve quality of life. 

Research is still evolving on the best ways to support individuals living with ADHD and autism simultaneously, but for adults with AuDHD, support may include therapy, medication, lifestyle adjustments, and educational and occupational interventions. Ultimately, the most beneficial treatment plan will depend on the individual. 

When it comes to therapy, approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) are often recommended for adults with ADHD and autism. While more research is needed on AuDHD specifically, research also shows that online interventions can be helpful for adults with ADHD, as well as adults with autism. 

For some individuals with AuDHD, challenges like sensory sensitivity and exhaustion from masking can make attending in-person therapy feel difficult or even overwhelming, and attending sessions from the comfort of home may feel a little easier. If this is something you’re feeling, you can connect with a therapist virtually whenever you’re ready. 

Whichever format you choose, finding a neurodiversity-affirming therapist who is well-versed in the unique complexities of AuDHD can be key. In your search, it can help to look for therapists who have extensive experience working with autism and ADHD in a population similar to you (whether that’s adult women, adult men, etc.). 

The right therapist can create a safe, supportive environment for you to learn ways to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and thrive with AuDHD.