The term AuDHD is now widely used to describe this overlap: autism and ADHD occurring together in the same person. It is not yet a formal diagnosis in manuals, but it has become a useful shorthand because it reflects what clinicians and neurodivergent people see every day.
Recognising the overlap between autism and ADHD
Autism and ADHD share a lot of common ground. Both can involve problems with planning and organisation, starting and completing tasks, managing emotions and finding social situations hard work. Because of this overlap, it is easy for one condition to be noticed while the other is missed. Someone might be diagnosed with ADHD, for example, while autistic traits such as sensory overload, social exhaustion or a strong need for routine are never fully explored. The reverse can happen too, with autism recognised but ADHD-related impulsivity, restlessness or time-blindness being put down to stress or anxiety.
Research suggests this overlap is common rather than rare. ADHD symptoms appear in around one-third of autistic children, and roughly three in ten autistic adults also meet criteria for ADHD. Looking from the ADHD side, a significant proportion of adults diagnosed with ADHD may also meet criteria for autism or show strong autistic traits, even if they have never been assessed for autism. When only one side of the picture is recognised, support is often incomplete and can feel like it only half-fits.
What AuDHD can feel like day to day
One of the most distinctive features of AuDHD is the “push–pull” feeling. Autism often brings a strong need for predictability, routine and control. ADHD often brings novelty-seeking, impulsivity and difficulty sticking to routines even when you want to. Many people describe this experience as: “I have planned my routines. I want to do it, but I can’t do it.” You might design systems for organising your time, then find you simply cannot follow them. You may hyperfocus on new interests, invest a lot of energy, and then lose momentum suddenly.
Masking adds another layer. Many adults, especially women and high-achieving people, learn to hide their difficulties to “pass” as coping – copying other people’s behaviour, over-preparing, or pushing through sensory discomfort without saying anything. These strategies can work for a time, but they are tiring. Over the years they can lead to burnout, anxiety, low mood and a sense of not really knowing who you are underneath the performance. If you recognise yourself in both ADHD and autism descriptions, it can be hard to know whether to book an ADHD assessment, an autism assessment, or something else. For many people in this position, a combined pathway is the clearest and most efficient option.
Getting a combined assessment at ADHD Health Clinic
At ADHD Health Clinic, two of our clinicians are leading specialists in AuDHD and assessing this overlap in adults: Dr Sai Achuthan and Dr Khurram Sadiq.
Dr Achuthan is a Consultant Psychiatrist with particular expertise in autism and ADHD, and has spoken extensively about why AuDHD is often missed when services look at autism and ADHD in isolation. Dr Sai Achuthan’s is also a highly respected author, and his new book, Unmasking Autism: The Cross-Cultural Revolution in Adult Assessment, redefines how autism is understood and diagnosed, drawing on decades of cross-continental clinical expertise.
Dr Sadiq is a Consultant Neurodevelopmental Psychiatrist, multi-award-winning author of Explaining AuDHD and an internationally recognised speaker on autism, ADHD and AuDHD, known for translating complex neuroscience into clear, human language.
Because AuDHD involves overlapping traits and frequent masking, our clinicians look beyond questionnaires. They spend time on your developmental history, education, work, relationships, sensory experiences, coping strategies and the impact on day-to-day life. They also consider other possibilities, such as anxiety, depression or trauma, so you are not left with a diagnosis that only partly fits.
If you think you may have traits of both ADHD and autism, our Combined Adult Autism and ADHD Assessments are designed to give you a joined-up answer. Instead of going through two separate pathways, you complete one integrated assessment and receive one clear report that sets out whether you meet criteria for autism, ADHD, both or neither, and what that means for treatment, support and reasonable adjustments. This route is also more cost-effective: a combined assessment is usually hundreds of pounds cheaper than booking two separate adult ADHD and autism assessments.
You can choose an Online Combined Adult Autism and ADHD Assessment via secure video, or an In-Person Combined Adult Autism and ADHD Assessment at our London clinic. Both follow current guidance, use structured tools and clinical interviews, and are designed to be respectful, thorough and easy to understand. If you recognise yourself in both ADHD and autism, you do not have to keep guessing.
Booking a combined assessment with Dr Sai Achuthan or Dr Khurram Sadiq can be a first step towards clarity, language and a plan that fits who you are.
