Understanding AuDHD: When ADHD and Autism Overlap

I’ve been hearing this more and more in my work:

“I think I might have both ADHD and autism.”

When people say that, there’s usually a mix of curiosity, relief, and exhaustion in their voice. They’ve done a lot of thinking — sometimes a lifetime’s worth — about why they experience the world in the way they do.

This is where the idea of AuDHD comes in. It’s a community-created term that describes people who relate to, or are diagnosed with, both ADHD and autism traits. It’s not an official diagnosis, but it gives language to something real and lived.

What AuDHD Really Means

ADHD and autism are distinct neurotypes, but they often overlap. Research shows a large number of people meet criteria for both. And when they do, the mix of traits can be both fascinating and challenging.

Someone with AuDHD might love novelty but get overwhelmed by change. They may crave social connection but burn out easily after being with people. They can hyperfocus deeply on special interests yet struggle to start everyday tasks.

It’s not inconsistency — it’s how a brain with multiple operating systems navigates a very noisy world.

How It Can Feel

Many adults with AuDHD describe feeling like they’re constantly adjusting dials inside their head:

• Turning down overstimulation while trying to turn up motivation.

• Wanting freedom and spontaneity but also needing structure and predictability.

• Caring deeply, feeling intensely, and needing more downtime than others seem to.

For some, these patterns were hidden behind years of coping. They learned to mask — to perform social ease, to stay busy, to keep up appearances. On the outside, they might seem fine; on the inside, they’re exhausted.

Why It’s Often Missed

ADHD and autism show up differently in adults, especially in women and AFAB (assigned female at birth) individuals. Many were never seen clearly as kids. They adapted, overachieved, or withdrew — anything to manage the mismatch between their needs and the world’s expectations.

Eventually, the strategies stop working. Burnout, anxiety, and self-doubt creep in. That’s often when people finally begin to ask, “Could this be ADHD? Autism? Both?”

Finding Language for Your Experience

Discovering that you might be AuDHD doesn’t mean labeling yourself; it means finding language for how your mind naturally works. It can be the first step toward compassion — realizing there was never anything “wrong” with you, just parts of you that were misunderstood or unsupported.

If this idea resonates, a professional assessment can help clarify what’s going on. That clarity often opens doors — to accommodations, to better self-care, and to more ease in your daily life.

Learning More

If you’d like to explore this further, these two resources offer thoughtful introductions:

• Neurodivergent Insights compares ADHD and autism traits side by side in a clear, compassionate way.

• Embrace Autism provides an accessible overview of AuDHD and what it can feel like in daily life.

  
  

Both are wonderful places to start learning and connecting with others who share similar experiences.

A Gentle Closing Thought

If you’ve spent years feeling like you’re “too much” or “not enough,” please know this: there’s a good chance you were just wired differently all along. AuDHD is one way to understand that — not as a flaw to fix, but as a map toward knowing yourself better.

Optional closing line (if you’d like to include it on your website):

If you’d like to explore whether ADHD, autism, or AuDHD might fit your experience, I offer adult assessments and consultations to help you gain clarity and support