Autism and ADHD: can you have both? Understanding AuDHD (2026)

For a long time, autism and ADHD were treated as mutually exclusive — if you had one, you could not be diagnosed with the other. That changed in 2013 when the DSM-5 (the American diagnostic manual used internationally) removed the exclusion criterion. Research since then has made clear that autism and ADHD frequently co-occur.

Today, the combination of autism and ADHD is often called AuDHD — a term increasingly used by the neurodivergent community to describe this specific profile. This guide explains what we know about AuDHD, how to recognise it, and how to get assessed for both conditions.

How common is the overlap?

Research suggests that between 50% and 70% of autistic people also meet the criteria for ADHD — and conversely, that around 20–50% of people with ADHD also meet criteria for autism. This co-occurrence is far higher than chance, suggesting shared genetic and neurological roots.

Despite this, many people are assessed for one condition and not the other. A child diagnosed with ADHD may have autism that goes unrecognised for years. An autistic person whose ADHD symptoms are present but masked by their autism may not be recognised as having ADHD either.

How do autism and ADHD present together?

When autism and ADHD co-occur, they can interact in complex ways — sometimes amplifying each other, sometimes masking each other. Common patterns include:

The interaction between autism’s need for routine and ADHD’s impulsivity

Autistic people often rely on routines and predictability to manage anxiety. ADHD brings impulsivity and difficulty following routines. The result can be a person who desperately wants order but cannot maintain it — leading to significant internal distress and self-criticism.

Hyperfocus and special interests

Both autism and ADHD involve the ability to hyperfocus — to concentrate intensely on something of interest while shutting out everything else. In AuDHD, this can be a significant strength, but it can also make it hard to shift attention when needed.

Executive function difficulties

Both conditions involve executive function challenges — planning, organising, starting tasks, managing time. In combination, executive function difficulties are often more severe and harder to compensate for.

Emotional dysregulation

Both autism and ADHD involve difficulties with emotional regulation. Together, this can manifest as intense emotional reactions, difficulty recovering from upset, and what is sometimes called rejection sensitive dysphoria — extreme emotional pain in response to perceived criticism or rejection.

Why is AuDHD often missed?

Several factors make the combined presentation difficult to identify:

• Historically, clinicians assessed for one or the other — not both simultaneously
• Some autistic traits can mask ADHD symptoms, and some ADHD traits can mask autism traits
• Female presentation of both conditions is often subtler and harder to identify
• Many people receive an ADHD diagnosis in childhood and are never assessed for autism, or vice versa
• Some clinicians still operate with outdated exclusion rules, particularly in adult services

Signs that both conditions may be present

If your child (or you) has been diagnosed with autism or ADHD and you are wondering whether the other condition may also be present, some signs to consider:

In a child already diagnosed with autism, consider ADHD if:

• There are significant attention difficulties that go beyond autism-related hyperfocus on interests
• Impulsivity is a major feature — acting before thinking, interrupting, difficulty waiting
• Hyperactivity is present — physical restlessness, difficulty sitting still
• Time blindness is significant — no sense of time passing, consistently late, unable to estimate how long things take
• Working memory difficulties are prominent — forgetting instructions immediately, losing things constantly

In a child already diagnosed with ADHD, consider autism if:

• Social understanding is a significant challenge — difficulty reading social cues, understanding unwritten rules
• Sensory sensitivities are prominent — strong reactions to sounds, textures, lights, smells
• Rigidity around routines is a feature — significant distress when plans change
• Special interests are intense and consuming — much more than typical childhood interests
• Communication differences are present — very literal interpretation, difficulty with figurative language

Getting assessed for both — what to ask

Not all providers offer combined autism and ADHD assessments. When contacting assessors, ask specifically:

• Do you offer combined autism and ADHD assessment?
• If autism is identified, will ADHD also be assessed in the same process?
• Are your clinicians trained in the interaction between autism and ADHD?
• Will the report address both conditions and how they interact?

A growing number of private providers offer dedicated AuDHD assessments. These are typically more expensive than a single-condition assessment but less expensive than two separate assessments.

Treatment and support for AuDHD

There is no single treatment for AuDHD — support is tailored to the individual’s profile. Some things to know:

ADHD medication

ADHD medication (stimulants such as methylphenidate, or non-stimulants such as atomoxetine) can be effective for autistic people with ADHD, but responses vary. Some autistic people find that medication for ADHD significantly improves their quality of life; others find side effects more difficult to manage. This should be explored with a psychiatrist or paediatrician experienced in both conditions.

Strategies and accommodations

Many AuDHD individuals benefit from strategies that address both conditions simultaneously — structured routines with built-in flexibility, visual supports, body doubling (working alongside someone else), interest-based learning, and sensory accommodations.

Therapy

Therapies adapted for neurodivergent individuals — rather than standard CBT delivered without adaptation — can be helpful for anxiety, emotional regulation, and life skills. Ask specifically for therapists with experience working with autistic and ADHD clients.