The intersection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), often called AuDHD, represents a unique neurodivergent experience that highlights the diversity of human cognition. Several studies illustrate that 22-83% of Autistic children also meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, and 30-65% of children with ADHD show clinically significant levels of Autistic traits. Understanding this overlap helps foster more inclusive, supportive environments for individuals navigating these dual diagnoses.

What is AuDHD?

AuDHD describes individuals who meet the diagnostic criteria for both ASD and ADHD. Research shows significant genetic and behavioural overlap. This dual identity challenges traditional diagnostic categories, encouraging a broader view of neurodivergence.

Key Shared Features

Both Autism and ADHD share traits such as:

• Difficulties with executive functioning - this includes critical functions such as organisation, self-motivation, ability to make & maintain plans, as well as emotional regulation and impulse control. 

• Sensory differences - individuals may struggle with over/under stimulation and engage with behaviours to correct and self-soothe sensory needs..

• Challenges with Emotional Regulation - this can manifest in ways such as poor interoception (ability to identify emotions) and rejection sensitivity.

• Hyperfocus/interest-driven attention - attention and motivation are closely related to personal interests.

• Social communication challenges - including difficulty reading social cues and hidden rules, social fatigue, difficulty initiating conversations with peers and maintaining reciprocal conversations.

• Creative & Divergent Thinking - individuals with Audhd will often have strong pattern recognition skills and the ability to think beyond norms, solve problems and generate innovative ideas. 

Despite Autism and ADHD sharing many traits, symptoms manifest uniquely for each individual,  underscoring the need for personalised support strategies when addressing AuDHD in order to address the underlying reasons for behaviour appropriately. 

A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach

Viewing AuDHD through a neurodiversity-affirming lens emphasises celebrating strengths rather than focusing solely on deficits, creating a neurodiversity-affirming identity. You can help establish neuro-inclusivity by implementing the following strategies: 

• Strength-Spotting: Encourage creativity, leverage special interests, and celebrate "out-of-the-box" thinking. Show that you value difference by identifying and acknowledging individual niche strengths.

• Routines and Expectations: Clear, consistent routines help reduce anxiety and improve executive functioning. Establishing routines can reduce individual desires for excessive control by making day-to-day actions feel safe & predictable. 

• Sensory Accommodations: Adapting environments to individual sensory needs fosters inclusion and participation. Hold consciousness towards others’ sensory preferences; small changes such as adjusting the lights, reducing scented products, or providing accommodations (like noise-cancelling headphones) can make a big difference for individuals with AuDHD and sensory challenges. 

The Importance of Understanding Behavior

Understanding the purpose of behaviour guides meaningful interventions. Include neurodivergent individuals by asking them what skills they find challenging and what needs they feel are unmet. By identifying lagging skills or unmet needs, we can address challenges compassionately and effectively. This may look like reducing demands until they are able to meet the necessary skill requirements or considering how differences and challenges can be navigated through utilising pre-existing individual strengths. 

References

Prevalence of ADHD traits in Autistic children: Ronald et al., 2008; Matson et al. 2013; Sokolova et al., 2017.

Prevalence of Autistic traits in children with ADHD: Clark et al. 1999; Ronald et al. 2008; Sokolova et al., 2017.

Knott, R., Johnson, B.P., Tiego, J. et al. The Monash Autism-ADHD genetics and neurodevelopment (MAGNET) project design and methodologies: a dimensional approach to understanding neurobiological and genetic aetiology. Molecular Autism 12, 55 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-021-00457-3