What is AuDHD?

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 AuDHD is a shorthand term used to describe individuals who are both Autistic and have ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Though autism and ADHD are distinct neurodevelopmental conditions, they can co-occur in the same person, leading to a unique neurodivergent profile with overlapping and sometimes conflicting traits.

• Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder) affects social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behavior or interests.
• ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) affects attention regulation, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
   

Historically, it was believed that someone could not be diagnosed with both conditions. That has since changed: current diagnostic guidelines recognize that autism and ADHD frequently co-occur. Research suggests that 30% to 80% of autistic people also have ADHD, and vice versa.

While every person with AuDHD is unique, many experience:

1. Executive Dysfunction (Double Impact)

• ADHD-related challenges like disorganization, forgetfulness, difficulty starting or completing tasks.
• Autism-related challenges like difficulty with transitions, rigidity in thinking, and needing structure.
• Together, these may cause intense struggles with planning, time management, and motivation — often described as "knowing what to do, but being unable to do it."
   

2. Sensory Processing Differences

• Autistic people often experience heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory input.
• ADHD can cause sensory-seeking behavior (e.g., touching, movement, noise).
• Someone with AuDHD might be both sensory-avoiding and sensory-seeking, leading to internal conflict and sensory overwhelm.
   

3. Social Differences

• May struggle to interpret social cues or navigate social rules (autism).
• May interrupt, overshare, or impulsively speak (ADHD).
• Can be very empathetic and crave connection but find socializing draining or confusing, leading to social exhaustion or burnout.
   

4. Emotional Dysregulation

• Both autism and ADHD can involve intense emotional responses.
• Meltdowns, shutdowns, or mood swings may occur, especially under stress, sensory overload, or when routines are disrupted.
• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), often associated with ADHD, can amplify feelings of shame, anxiety, or fear of failure.
   

5. Masking and Burnout

• People with AuDHD often mask their traits to fit in socially or professionally.
• Masking takes an immense toll, especially when both autism and ADHD are masked simultaneously.
• Long-term masking can lead to autistic burnout, a state of chronic exhaustion, reduced functioning, and loss of skills.
   

6. Hyperfocus vs. Inertia

• ADHD can cause hyperfocus on topics of deep interest—common in both ADHD and autism.
• Autistic people may also experience autistic inertia, where starting or stopping tasks feels impossible.
• The mix of intense focus and sudden paralysis can be confusing and frustrating.
   

Many people with AuDHD are misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed for years because:

• Symptoms of one condition mask or mimic the other
• Professionals may not be trained to recognize both, especially in adults, women, and marginalized groups
• Traits may be dismissed as anxiety, depression, or “just personality quirks”
• Diagnostic systems often focus on deficits rather than lived experience
   

Despite challenges, many people with AuDHD have strengths that flourish with the right understanding and environment:

• Creative thinking and unique problem-solving
• Hyperfocus on topics of deep interest
• Empathy, passion, and depth in relationships
• Authenticity and integrity
• Innovation and outside-the-box approaches
• Strong values and sense of justice
   

Support must be holistic and individualized, recognizing the interaction of both autism and ADHD traits:

• Flexible structure: Balances the need for routine (autism) and flexibility (ADHD)
• Clear, respectful communication
• Therapies that are neurodiversity-affirming—not aiming to “fix,” but to empower
• Medication: Stimulants may help ADHD traits but should be monitored carefully in autistic individuals
• Accommodations: In work, school, or home life—like sensory-friendly spaces, quiet time, or written instructions
• Community: Peer support from others with AuDHD can be validating and life-changing
   

In Summary:

AuDHD is not a disorder. It’s a different neurotype that combines traits of both autism and ADHD in unique, dynamic ways. People with AuDHD often feel out of sync with conventional expectations—but with understanding, community, and tailored support, they can thrive and offer perspectives that enrich the world around them.