What Is AuDHD? Understanding the ADHD Autism Overlap

What is AuDHD? For many adults suffering with ADHD symptoms, there feels like something “more” is happening in their experience. Symptoms that cannot be explained by ADHD alone.

AuDHD could be the answer.

Autism and ADHD are shown to co-occur more often than not. But what does AuDHD mean, and how might it show up for you?

What AuDHD Mean?

AuDHD is not an official term used to describe an individual who experiences both Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) together. Many individuals in the neurodivergent community use this term to describe their experience better.

For the sake of this blog post, keep in mind that AuDHD is a term used by the neurodivergent community to represent both these disorders. However, for the sake of clarity, ADHD is often used by late-diagnosed adults and is not a separate diagnosis; it’s a term used to describe these co-occurring conditions.

Many people with both autism and ADHD resonate more with the term AuDHD because it represents their full spectrum of symptoms.

How ADHD and Autism Overlap in Adults

Neurodivergent symptoms that both Autism and ADHD share include:

• Executive dysfunction
• Sensory sensitivity
• Emotional regulation challenges

Where they differ:

ADHD = impulsivity, variability

Autism = predictability, sensory processing

The overlap between these two disorders can make diagnosis challenging. For example, ADHD traits tend to cause novelty-seeking, while autistics require a strict routine to feel grounded. From the outside, this creates an inconsistent pattern and can be confusing rather than simply resulting in an autistic diagnosis.

Adults with AuDHD learn to compensate early on in life. They may rely on structure to manage ADHD symptoms or use hyperfocus and push through environments that are actually overwhelming. Over time, this constant self-management can mask underlying traits, delaying recognition.

Common AuDHD Symptoms in Adults

The overlap between autism and ADHD can be a difficult thing to navigate, which is why identifying common symptoms they exhibit is essential. Not all symptoms are present in every person, so be advised that your experience may differ.

      Emotional & Nervous System Patterns

• Emotional dysregulation (intense feelings, quick overwhelm, shutdowns)
• Heightened sensitivity to stress
• Strong internal reactions that may not be visible externally
   

  Executive Function

• Problems planning, following through, and prioritizing various tasks
• Trouble starting tasks or stopping once hyperfocused
• Inconsistent attention
  
  

  Sensory & Emotional Sensitivity

• Sensory overload (light, noise, textures, crowds)
• Need for stimulation and need for quiet and control
• Feeling exhausted by everyday environments

  
  Masking & Burnout

• Long-term masking to appear “functional” or neurotypical
• Chronic fatigue or burnout, especially as an adult
• Feeling capable but constantly depleted
  
  

  Identity & Internal Experience

• Feeling like ADHD and autism descriptions both fit your experience, but neither fully explains it.
• Feeling confused about what you need to feel better
• Persistent self-doubt or shame
  

  
  Relationships & Daily Life

• Difficulty balancing connection with the need for space
• Misunderstanding in communication or emotional expansion
• Feeling “out of sync” with social expectations

Why AuDHD is Often Missed in Adulthood

Autism and ADHD are often assessed separately, making overlapping traits harder to identify. Masking and compensation can hide symptoms well into adulthood. We get good at hiding our childhood experiences and continue to do so as we age. Symptoms are frequently misattributed to anxiety, depression, or burnout.

With time, however, coping strategies begin to fail, and many adults start wondering if what they are experiencing is something more than depression.

How AuDHD Can Feel Different from ADHD or Autism Alone

Autism and ADHD are different from each other. For example, conflicting needs for simulation and predictability are familiar to people who have both. Strategies that help with ADHD symptoms may worsen autistic overwhelm, and vice versa.

As you continue to seek a diagnosis, you may get conflicting responses from healthcare professionals. This results in increased fatigue from managing competing cognitive and sensory demands.

It also increases the risk of burnout due to constant self-adjustment.

Support Options for Late-Diagnosed AuDHD Adults

Working with a neurodivergent-affirming therapist to understand overlapping patterns is one of the best things you can do if you suspect you struggle with autism and ADHD. Support focused on self-understanding rather than fixing or correcting behaviour is another option to consider.

Learning strategies that respect both executive function and sensory needs. It’s important to address burnout, shame, and long-standing self-blame. Exploring accommodations and routines that align with individual capacity can also be helpful.

Accessing virtual therapy options that support adults across Canada are an excellent way to start creating strategies that make the most sense for your experience.

If you’d like to explore what it is like to work with me, please reach out to schedule a meet-and-greet where we discuss your challenges and a potential path forward.

Resources

• Hours, C., Recasens, C., & Baleyte, J.-M. (2022). ASD and ADHD comorbidity: What are we talking about? Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 837424.

• Lebeña, A., Fernández-Baizán, C., Díez, M. Á., García-Portilla, M. P., & Bobes, J. (2023). Clinical implications of ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence in early adulthood—the prospective ABIS-study. BMC Psychiatry, 23, 851.

• Craig, F., Margari, F., Legrottaglie, A. R., Palumbi, R., de Giambattista, C., & Margari, L. (2016). A review of executive function deficits in autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 12, 1191–1202.

• Townes, P., Rosas, S., Branco, L. D., de la Torre, G. G., Quintero, J., Miranda, A., Verté, S., & Coghill, D. (2023). Do ASD and ADHD have distinct executive function deficits? A systematic review and meta-analysis of direct comparison studies. Journal of Attention Disorders.

• Perry, E., Mandy, W., Hull, L., & Cage, E. (2022). Understanding camouflaging as a response to autism-related stigma: A social identity theory approach. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52, 2488–2501. 

Blog Disclaimer

This blog may include occasional personal reflections or composite-style anecdotes to illustrate therapeutic ideas and foster connection. Any identifying details have been altered, omitted, or generalized to protect confidentiality. These examples are shared for educational purposes only. Every person’s experience is unique, and what resonates with one individual may not apply to another.

The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this blog does not establish a therapist-client relationship. If you have concerns about your mental health, physical health, or overall well-being, please consult a qualified healthcare provider or licensed mental health professional.

Psychotherapy services described on this website are available to residents of Ontario, in accordance with applicable professional standards and the scope of practice. If you are interested in working together or would like to schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation, you are welcome to contact me through my practice.

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