When we talk about neurodiversity, two terms that often come up are Autism and ADHD—each with its own traits, challenges, and strengths. But for many people, these diagnoses don’t show up in isolation. In fact, a growing number of individuals are recognizing themselves in both, and that’s where the term AuDHD comes in.
What Is Autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and repetitive or focused interests. Autistic people may:
-
Struggle with social norms or small talk
-
Have intense interests
-
Experience sensory sensitivities
-
Thrive on routines and predictability
Autism is a spectrum, which means it looks different in everyone—and often goes undiagnosed, especially in women and marginalized groups.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) involves challenges with executive functioning, attention, impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity. People with ADHD may:
-
Struggle with time management and organization
-
Jump between thoughts or tasks
-
Feel easily bored or overstimulated
-
Be deeply creative and passionate
Like autism, ADHD exists on a spectrum and presents differently across genders and age groups.
When Autism and ADHD Collide: Understanding AuDHD
AuDHD isn’t a formal diagnosis, but it’s a real lived experience. It describes people who meet the criteria for both autism and ADHD—and the way these two neurotypes interact can be complex.
Some common traits of AuDHD might include:
-
Feeling both rigid and scattered: craving structure, but struggling to maintain it
-
Having intense interests, but difficulty focusing when executive dysfunction kicks in
-
Experiencing sensory overload, but also seeking stimulation (like multitasking or moving constantly)
-
Masking or camouflaging in social settings, often leading to burnout
-
Struggling to follow through on tasks, not due to laziness, but from overwhelm and conflicting cognitive needs
People with AuDHD often feel like they’re “too much and not enough” at the same time—and it’s not uncommon for them to be misdiagnosed or overlooked for years.
Why It Matters
Understanding AuDHD helps us validate and support a group of people who have often fallen through the cracks of traditional diagnosis. It challenges us to think more expansively about the brain—and to build systems that honor how different minds work.
Click below for
The Atypical View Podcast
on this topic:
