Understanding AuDHD: When ADHD and Autism Overlap in Adults
- CJ Pringle
- Jan 20
- 4 min read
If you were diagnosed with ADHD later in life and have recently started wondering, “Could I also be autistic?” you are not alone.
Many adults with ADHD are discovering that they also meet criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder or identify strongly with autistic traits. For some, this realization feels clarifying. For others, it can feel confusing or even overwhelming.
Some people use the term AuDHD to describe the lived experience of having both ADHD and autistic traits. While AuDHD is not a formal diagnosis, it is a widely used term among adults navigating this overlap.
A common question that comes up is whether ADHD might eventually fall under the Autism umbrella, similar to what happened with Asperger’s. Let’s slow this down, clarify what the science actually says, and explore how ADHD and Autism overlap, differ, and sometimes coexist.
Why ADHD and Autism Are Often Confused
ADHD and Autism are both classified as neurodevelopmental conditions, meaning the brain develops and processes information differently from early life. As a result, there is significant overlap in how these conditions can appear on the surface.
Some shared challenges include:
Executive dysfunction
Emotional regulation difficulties
Sensory sensitivity
Social fatigue or overwhelm
Difficulty with transitions
Burnout
Masking or compensating to fit expectations
From the outside, these similarities can make it hard to tell where ADHD ends and Autism begins. Even clinicians struggled with this for years.
In fact, before 2013, it was not even allowed to diagnose ADHD and Autism together. That changed with the DSM-5, which formally recognized that the two conditions can and do co-occur. This shift alone explains why so many adults are only now discovering both.
Will ADHD Eventually Fall Under the Autism Umbrella?
This is an important question, and the short answer is no.
At this time, there is no clinical or scientific consensus that ADHD will become part of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Here is what we do know:
| Here is what is not supported by evidence:
|
Asperger’s was folded into Autism because it represented a different presentation of the same core condition. ADHD does not meet that standard. It has different diagnostic criteria, developmental patterns, and treatment responses, particularly when it comes to medication.
In simple terms:
ADHD and Autism overlap, but one is not evolving into the other.
Why Many Adults With ADHD Are Discovering Autistic Traits
There are several well-supported reasons this is happening more now than ever before.
ADHD can mask autistic traits
High verbal ability, creativity, humor, and novelty-seeking can hide social communication differences, especially in childhood.
Burnout brings traits to the surface
As life demands increase, autistic traits such as sensory sensitivity, need for predictability, and social exhaustion often become harder to mask.
Gender and cultural bias
Autism has historically been underdiagnosed in women and marginalized groups. Many were diagnosed with ADHD instead because it was more easily recognized.
Better awareness and screening
Adults today have access to better information, language, and self-reflection tools than previous generations.
None of this means your ADHD diagnosis was wrong. It may simply have been incomplete.
Key Differences Between ADHD and Autism
Although they overlap, ADHD and Autism are driven by different underlying needs.
ADHD tends to involve:
| Autism tends to involve:
|
A helpful way to think about this is motivation versus regulation.
ADHD struggles with regulating attention and effort.
Autism struggles with regulating sensory, social, and cognitive load.
What ADHD and Autism Together Can Look Like (AuDHD)
When ADHD and Autism overlap, the experience can feel contradictory at times.
You might crave novelty but also need sameness.
You might be socially outgoing but deeply exhausted afterward.
You might resist routines but fall apart without them.
Shared traits often include:
| Clinicians often look at questions like:
|
These distinctions matter.
Why Accurate Identification Matters
Understanding whether ADHD, Autism, or both are present is not about labels. It is about support.
ADHD and Autism respond differently to interventions.
Stimulant medication can help with ADHD, but may worsen sensory sensitivity for some autistic individuals.
Productivity strategies that work for ADHD can backfire for Autism.
Burnout is often misunderstood without this context.
Most importantly, an accurate understanding reduces shame. Many adults realize they were not failing. They were compensating without the right tools.
How ADHD Coaching Can Help
ADHD coaching does not diagnose Autism, but it can be incredibly supportive for neurodivergent adults navigating overlap.
Coaching can help with:
Using tools to do the remembering and organizing for you
Designing systems that work with your brain, not against it
Supporting energy and sensory regulation
Reducing shame from years of masking
Clarifying accommodations at work and home
Adapting strategies instead of forcing neurotypical expectations
At Agave Health, we recognize that neurodivergence is not one-size-fits-all. The goal is not to fix your brain, but understand it well enough to support it.
Research continues to evolve, but current evidence is clear. ADHD and Autism are distinct neurodevelopmental conditions that frequently overlap. One is not becoming the other.
If learning about Autism alongside ADHD helps you better understand yourself, that insight matters. Whether or not you pursue a formal evaluation, understanding how your brain works is a powerful step toward self-compassion and sustainable support.
For a broader introduction to shared traits, you may want to start with our earlier post on ADHD and Autism overlap, then return here for deeper clarification.