Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism are often thought of as two separate neurotypes, but they share a great deal of similarities.
Both conditions are a form of neurodivergence and neurodevelopmental condition, which means that autistic individuals and ADHDers differ in how their brains function and interpret information around them. Both conditions cause differences in the brain that reflect in various areas of functioning.
Moreover, autism and ADHD frequently co-occur at high rates, a connection known as AuDHD. Some challenges faced by AuDHD individuals include executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, and sensory overwhelm. If you are experiencing the unique challenges of both conditions, working with an autism and ADHD coach may be beneficial.
Read on to discover more about ADHD, autism, and the similarities and differences between these two conditions.
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with three types, characterized by a variety of impulsive, hyperactive, and inattentive traits. It’s also a neurodivergent condition that affects how ADHDers interact with the world. Approximately 366.33 million people worldwide are considered to have ADHD, accounting for about 5% of the global population.
While it is more common for individuals to be diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, many go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until adulthood. Common ADHD challenges include:
Lack of focus
Inattention
Impulsivity
Inability to sit still
Poor time management
Heightened emotional responses to real or perceived rejection
Hyperfocus
Hyperactivity
Poor planning
Disorganization
Time agnosia (difficulty telling time)
There are three types of ADHD, including hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive, and combined type ADHD.
You must have exhibited some of these symptoms before the age of 12 to be diagnosed with ADHD, and these traits typically impact functioning in core areas of life, such as work or school.
If you have ADHD symptoms and are seeking support, consider reaching out to an ADHD coach or requesting an ADHD assessment.
What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by various brain development challenges. As a spectrum condition, autistic individuals exhibit differing traits and severity levels. Some common traits include:
Communication struggles
Difficulty with eye contact
Emotion dysregulation
Executive dysfunction
Hypersensitivity or sensory processing issues
Intense focus on specific interests
Discomfort with change and preference for routines
Preference for solitary activities
Exceptional abilities in specific areas
Repetitive behaviors or stimming
These traits can vary across genders, and females may often go misdiagnosed or undiagnosed until adulthood as they may exhibit less stereotypical signs of autism and more masking behaviours, resulting in burnout.
If you suspect you might be autistic, consider taking an online autism questionnaire by Embrace Autism for preliminary insights, although it is not diagnostic.
What are the similarities between autism and ADHD?
Until 2013, a person diagnosed with one of these conditions could not be diagnosed with the other. However, changes in the DSM-5 criteria allowed for concurrent diagnoses. Both conditions frequently co-occur with others, such as anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and learning disabilities.
AuDHD individuals may experience overlapping traits such as:
Executive dysfunction
Social challenges
Sleep disturbances
Difficulties with interoception
Each trait can influence how AuDHD individuals navigate the world, presenting unique strengths and challenges compared to non-AuDHD individuals.
Research also indicates that 36.5% of autistic children also meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, with literature suggesting that 50 to 70% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also exhibit co-occurring ADHD (Hours et al., 2022). Strong overlapping traits between these conditions can make dual diagnosis a challenge.
How to tell the difference between autism and ADHD
While both conditions share substantial similarities, certain conditions exist that can inform separate diagnoses and treatments:
Routine vs. Change: Autistic individuals usually prefer routines and similarity, while
ADHDers may gravitate towards novelty and impulsivity. The latter may become bored with structure, whereas autistic individuals may feel overwhelmed by changes.
Communication Differences: Both groups may struggle with social interactions, but for different reasons. ADHDers often interrupt or speak excessively, while autistic individuals may have difficulties initiating conversations, making eye contact, and understanding body language.
Attention Span: ADHD individuals typically experience distractibility and difficulty maintaining focus. Conversely, autistic individuals can focus intensely on their special interests while struggling to concentrate on other topics.
Support for AuDHDers
Supporting AuDHD individuals stems from a neurodivergent-affirming perspective, which recognizes your unique challenges and strengths. The approach emphasizes individualized and holistic support plans rather than attempting to "fix" a person.
Neurodivergent Affirming Coaching: This coaching approach recognizes neurodivergence as a strength and encourages individuals to embrace their identities and special interests. This includes affirming all aspects of your identity, such as neuroqueerness. Coaching focuses on leveraging strengths (e.g., creativity, strong visual-spatial abilities) to navigate your unique challenges.
Neurodivergent-Affirming Counselling: This form of support employs therapeutic modalities (e.g., dialectical behavioral therapy, somatic therapy, internal family systems).
virtually or in person to help address co-occurring mental health issues like anxiety and depression. If you are considering therapy or coaching, there are some steps you can take to prepare for the initial first session.
Accommodations and Environmental Changes: Sometimes your environment may exacerbate your AuDHD traits. To alleviate challenges, individuals may benefit from modifying their environment to suit their disability needs. Noise-canceling headphones, adjusted lighting, microbreaks, and flexibility in work hours can help reduce sensory overload in the workplace and academic settings.
Executive Functioning Support: A lot of AuDHD challenges stem from executive dysfunction, including dysregulation and disorganization. Tools to manage time, create structure, and multitask can support AuDHD individuals in navigating daily demands effectively.
Relationship Supports: Couples counselling can facilitate better communication between partners, enabling AuDHD individuals to cultivate meaningful relationships.
Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning
Blue Sky Learning provides opportunities for students, professionals, parental guardians, and educators to connect with resources and support for individual growth. Their services emphasize compassion, empathy, and an understanding of intersectionality, working to reduce stigma and empower clients.
If you identify as an AuDHDer and are seeking support from an autism and ADHD coach, consider booking a free 20-minute consultation with the Blue Sky Learning team by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or following the provided link.
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