AuDHD is an unofficial term that describes a person who has both autism and previously diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both diagnoses can affect a person's behavior, social interaction, and communication. Research indicates that 50% to 70% of autistic individuals also meet the criteria for ADHD, and an estimated 20% to 50% of people with ADHD also meet criteria for autism. The symptoms overlap to some extent.
Venn diagram of overlapping autism and ADHD
The symptoms overlap to some extent, and this graphic from https://www.neurodiversecouplescounseling.com/audhd shows how not all of some individuals challenges can be explained by ADHD or other diagnoses such as anxiety.
Having the characteristics of both ASD and ADHD has its challenges and can be quite overwhelming due to many conflicting needs which can feel like an internal battle. The autistic brain has a need for planning, sticking to routine, hyper-fixating, and needing information. The ADHD brain has the characteristics of a need for impulsiveness, desire for change, difficulty in focusing, and forgetting information.
The awareness and understanding of how these diagnoses impact an individual’s ability to communicate and interact with other people is an important factor in facilitating growth and development. Challenges with depression and anxiety frequently co-occur with autism in children and adults with autism, especially in cases of late diagnosis. It is important to note that longitudinal studies of autistic adults have indicated that whenever and wherever autism is diagnosed continued growth and development are possible through the life span.