Sophia KImagine a puzzle where most of the pieces are just a shade lighter than each other. So they’re, like, the same…but very different. I know, I know, a literal nightmare (for some of us). But that’s a little bit like how ADHD and autism (AuDHD) symptoms can be, especially with co-occuring experiences like heightened sensory sensibility.
AuDHD is a label we use to describe our experiences being both autistic and ADHD. These two neurodivergent ways of being often share many features and it can be difficult to tell them apart. In fact, that’s what happened to me: I didn’t realise I was autistic until I was finally medicated as a late-diagnosed ADHDer. Let’s chat about how these two have a deep relationship with each other, and why we don’t have to figure out what part of us falls under which label.
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How ADHD might hide autism in AuDHD
Sometimes, ADHD traits might be more noticeable and make it harder to spot autism. The hyperactivity that often comes with ADHD’s combined type might overshadow the autistic need for sameness and routine. Someone might talk impulsively due to their ADHD, which could cover up the different ways autism affects communication like being so excited about a special interest. ADHD can crave spontaneity while the underlying preference for routine and predictability in autism makes it feel impossible. Sometimes, the outgoing nature often associated with ADHD might hide the unique ways an autistic person processes social situations by being an introvert first.
How Autism might hide ADHD in AuDHD
Similarly, autism traits can sometimes make it harder to notice ADHD. When someone has an intense focus on their special interests, it might not be obvious that they are pushing really hard to concentrate on other tasks that also need doing. A strong preference for routine might hide difficulties with organization that come from ADHD. Someone might appear quiet or reserved because they’re autistic and are hyper-aware of their senses, while their mind is actually racing with multiple thoughts. The careful, planned actions often seen in autism might hide underlying ADHD impulsivity through what is also seen as compensatory behaviors.
My story if AuDHD (briefly)
When I went through the diagnosis process, I was given both an ASD and Adult ADHD assessment to complete. I scored really high on the ADHD assessment for the combined type, though the psychiatrist couldn’t believe that I had ADHD because I was seen as successful (yes, please majorly eyeroll with me).
I also didn’t score at all on the autism assessment—which wasn’t surprising to me because I could understand what people meant even if they didn’t say it. In fact, it’s currently a big part of my studying!
That was until I was on ADHD medications for a while. Then all of a sudden I had to ask clarifying questions. Not like one or two, but like….a lot. Because even answers my to clarifying questions only deepened my confusion of what people actually meant. The longer I was on ADHD meds, the more autistic traits I started noticing. Then one day it was like a piano fell on me and all I could think was: “Holy f**ing sh*t, I’m really autistic.” Instead of beating myself up for ‘not getting better even with ADHD meds’, I realized that actually I now needed to make sure that I was meeting my autistic needs.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that maybe my ADHD traits hid my autistic traits and actually became protective. If I had to put words to it, it was like ADHD went into overdrive to quickly get the information I needed from the filing system in my brain to find the social convention that dictated every interaction. I never had to stop to ask clarifying questions because I filed the analysis from the pattern data collection away. And autism kept me organized enough that it not only acted as a compensatory behavior, but it also got me a misdiagnoses for obsession-compulsive dis/order and later generalised anxiety dis/order when SSRI’s didn’t stop the need for routine, hyper-organization, and so on.
What diagnosis box?
Here’s something important to remember: we don’t need to put ourselves in strict boxes! Everyone’s brain works differently, and that’s what makes us unique and responsive to our environment. Some people might have AuDHD (both ADHD and autism), some might have one or the other, and some might have traits of both without fitting either description perfectly, or even have a secret fourth thing or fifth thing or sixth thing or….. What matters most is understanding ourselves and finding ways to work with our unique minds, needs, and perspectives.
Understanding how different neurodivergences can overlap helps us better understand ourselves and others. It reminds us that there’s no “one size fits all” way to be neurodivergent, and helps us hypothesize and experiment with new strategies that work for our specific needs. Most importantly, it reminds us that not only is everyone’s experience valid, but that no one fits neatly into a single category.
Moving Forward
The most important thing is to be kind to yourself as you learn more about how your amazing brain works. Whether you have ADHD, autism, AuDHD, or just some traits of each, you’re exactly who you’re supposed to be! Support and strategies can be mixed and matched to fit your needs, and working with professionals who just get it, and support you on your journey. Book a discovery call and interview us to see if we have a coach who could best support you!
