What is AuDHD?

A Complete Guide to Understanding Autism & ADHD Together

If you’ve been scrolling on social media lately, you may have come across the term ‘AuDHD’ and wondered what it means. Well, you’re not alone. As awareness of neurodiversity grows, more people are recognising that Autism and ADHD can, and often coexist, which creates a unique neurotype with its own strengths, challenges, and support needs.

In this guide, we’ll break down what AuDHD is, how it presents, and why understanding people who live with AuDHD matters.

What Is AuDHD?

According to Clevland Clinic; a non-for profit medical centre, AuDHD is a widely used term that describes individuals who live with both Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While it’s not an official clinical diagnosis, it’s a helpful way to explain the overlap between the two conditions.

Clevland Clinic also states that autism and ADHD frequently occur together, with studies estimating that 50–70 per cent of autistic people also have ADHD. The Neuro Divergent Brain Org: an ADHD and Autism resource non-for-profit, notes that this overlap creates a distinct experience that can affect executive functioning, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and social communication in interconnected ways.

Why Autism and ADHD Often Overlap

Autism and ADHD are both neurodevelopmental conditions, and although they are distinct, they share several traits. This overlap can make it difficult to differentiate between them, especially in childhood.

Just a few shared characteristics may include:

• Differences in attention and focus
• Challenges with executive functioning
• Sensory sensitivities
• Social communication differences
• Emotional regulation difficulties

Because these traits can blend together, many people go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years before discovering they are AuDHD.

Common Traits of AuDHD

People with AuDHD often experience a mix of Autistic and ADHD traits. While every individual is different, common patterns include:

• • Executive Functioning Differences:
    Planning, organising, and task initiation can be challenging due to the combined impact of both conditions (The Neuro Divergent Brain Org)

• • Sensory Processing Variability:
    Autistic sensory sensitivities may coexist with ADHD‑related sensory seeking, creating a complex sensory profile (The Neuro Divergent Brain Org)

• • Emotional Regulation Challenges:
    Both autism and ADHD influence emotional processing, which can lead to heightened emotions or difficulty managing stress (The Neuro Divergent Brain Org)

• • Social Communication Differences:
    AuDHD individuals may experience social fatigue, difficulty reading cues, or impulsivity in conversations (londonpsychiatry.clinic)

• • Contradictory Traits:
    It’s common for people with AuDHD to feel “pulled in two directions.” For example, craving routine (autism) while also seeking novelty (ADHD) (Embrace Autism)

Is AuDHD an Official Diagnosis?

No, AuDHD is not a formal diagnosis in the DSM‑5. This is important because the DSM‑5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) is the  widely used clinical guide that outlines the criteria for diagnosing mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions. It helps clinicians, researchers and support professionals use consistent, standardised definitions when identifying and understanding different conditions.

Instead, clinicians diagnose autism and ADHD separately. However, the term is widely used in neurodivergent communities and increasingly recognised by clinicians as a helpful descriptor for the combined experience.

Why Understanding AuDHD Matters

Recognising AuDHD can make a significant difference in a person’s life and overall accessibility. It can:

• Improve access to appropriate supports
• Reduce misdiagnosis or partial diagnosis
• Help individuals understand their strengths and challenges
• Support better mental health outcomes
• Encourage self‑advocacy and self‑acceptance

Understanding AuDHD also helps families, educators, and support workers tailor strategies that meet the individual’s needs more effectively. Understanding AuDHD isn’t just valuable for those seeking a diagnosis, but it can also helps the wider community create more inclusive, accessible spaces for everyone.

When the wider public recognise how Autism and ADHD can interact, it becomes easier to appreciate the diverse ways individuals think, communicate and navigate the world. This awareness can strengthen relationships, reduce misunderstandings and empower friends, family members, and colleagues to offer more meaningful support. Whether you’re learning about AuDHD because you’re seeking diagnosis, out of simple curiosity, or because someone in your life identifies with it, increasing your understanding helps build a more compassionate, flexible and socially accessible community for all neurodivergent people.

AuDHD is a powerful term that helps describe the lived experience of people who are both Autistic and ADHD. While not a formal diagnosis, it captures a unique neurotype that deserves recognition, understanding, and support.

If you’re looking for a trusted, reliable, and community‑backed NDIS provider for your child or teen who lives with AuDHD, Cahoots is here to support your family every step of the way. Our programs are designed to build confidence, independence, and meaningful connection in a safe and inclusive environment. Reach out to our team today to learn more about how we can help your young person thrive.

Find out more about our services here: https://temp.cahoots.org.au/new-participants/

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