AuDHD is a nonclinical term for “autism and ADHD.” People with both conditions may have a unique combination of symptoms and may benefit from a multipronged approach to treatment.

No, AuDHD is not an official diagnosis. Rather, it’s a shorthand for someone who is both autistic and has ADHD.

In clinical terms, this is referred to as co-occurrence or comorbidity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

It’s not uncommon for someone to receive a diagnosis of both these conditions. According to a 2021 meta-analysis, up to 40% of people with ASD may develop ADHD at some point in their lives. Electroencephalography imaging research has also found several neurological changes that occur in both ASD and ADHD.

However, some experts believe that this high rate of overlap may be due to a lack of understanding of how autism affects attention in ways that mimic ADHD.

Experts call for further studies to better understand both of these conditions and the ways they may interact.

Get involved

If you have autism, ADHD, or both and would like to help researchers better understand the overlap between these conditions, you may be able to participate in a clinical study or trial.

You can learn more at ClinicalTrials.gov, but make sure to discuss your participation with your primary healthcare team first.

Some symptoms of autism and ADHD overlap and may be more severe in people with AuDHD. However, other symptoms may be at odds with each other.

Many people with AuDHD report feeling pulled between two extremes and find it difficult to maintain a balance between the needs of their conditions.

For example, ADHD may cause impulsivity and lead to new situations and experiences, while autism may cause a person to feel extreme anxiety around the unknown. People with AuDHD may be prone to burnout but find it difficult to take breaks and relax effectively.

Overlapping symptoms of autism and ADHD

ADHD and autism can overlap in several ways, such as:

Autism and ADHD also have many distinct symptoms, such as:

Symptoms of autismSymptoms of ADHD
difficulties with communication stylestendency to interrupt or talk excessively
rigidity with rules and routines boredom with routines and repetition
processing and sensory difficultieseasily becoming distracted
limited eating preferencesdisordered eating habits or schedule
strict organization rules disorganization and forgetfulness

While ADHD and autism are both clinically considered disorders, that doesn’t mean AuDHD doesn’t have certain strengths.

For example, people with AuDHD may be very creative and curious, with a unique perspective and high motivation to pursue their interests.

With their tendency to hyperfixate on different subjects, they may have a wide variety of experiences and information to apply to their problem-solving.

Those who experience social ostracization or discrimination also have a tendency to develop higher empathy for others.

If you have autism and ADHD, your treatment plan will likely be multifaceted. It could involve any combination of the following:

While AuDHD isn’t a clinical diagnosis, it’s not uncommon for someone to have both autism and ADHD. Some symptoms of these conditions overlap, and others may exacerbate the opposite condition.

Treatment for AuDHD symptoms can involve talk therapy, occupational therapy, and medications. You can learn more about the treatment options for autism or common treatments for ADHD in these articles.