In short: ADHD and autism are separate neurodevelopmental conditions that very often occur together — an overlap now widely called AuDHD. Research suggests a large share of autistic people also meet criteria for ADHD, and vice versa.1 They share traits like difficulties with focus, executive function and emotional regulation, but differ in important ways, which can make each harder to spot when both are present.
What is AuDHD?
“AuDHD” is an informal term for having both autism and ADHD. It isn’t a separate diagnosis — you receive both an autism diagnosis and an ADHD diagnosis — but the community uses “AuDHD” to describe the distinct experience of living with the two together, which is often more than the sum of its parts.
How ADHD and autism overlap
Both are lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions present from early childhood, and they share several features:
- Executive-function difficulties — planning, organising, starting tasks
- Sensory sensitivity and being easily overwhelmed
- Emotional regulation challenges, including rejection sensitivity
- Social difficulties, though for different underlying reasons
- Higher rates of anxiety and depression
How they differ
Despite the overlap, the two conditions pull in different directions in key ways:
- Routine: Autistic people often seek sameness and predictable routines; ADHD often brings a craving for novelty and stimulation. In AuDHD these can be in constant tension.
- Attention: ADHD involves difficulty regulating attention; autistic focus is often driven by deep, specific interests.
- Social style: ADHD social difficulties often stem from impulsivity and inattention; autistic social differences relate to communication and social interpretation.
Why both are often missed
When someone has both, the traits can mask each other — ADHD impulsivity can hide autistic caution, while autistic structure can hide ADHD disorganisation — so a person may be diagnosed with one and the other overlooked for years. Both are also under-recognised in women and in adults who have learned to mask.
Getting assessed in Australia
ADHD and autism require different assessments, and a thorough clinician will consider whether both may be present. In Queensland, trained GPs can now assess, diagnose and treat adult ADHD; where autism is also suspected, they can guide you toward appropriate autism assessment. If your ADHD picture is complex — for example with significant co-occurring conditions — a specialist referral may be recommended.
Frequently asked questions
What is AuDHD?
AuDHD is an informal term for having both autism and ADHD. It’s not a single diagnosis — you’re diagnosed with each condition separately — but it describes the common and distinct experience of living with both together.
Can you have both ADHD and autism?
Yes. The two frequently co-occur, and a substantial proportion of people with one also meet criteria for the other. They are diagnosed separately.
What’s the difference between ADHD and autism?
ADHD centres on regulating attention, impulsivity and activity levels, often with a drive for novelty. Autism centres on social communication, sensory processing and a preference for routine and sameness. They share executive-function and emotional-regulation challenges.
Why is AuDHD often missed?
Because the traits of each can mask the other, and both are under-recognised in women and in adults who mask, people are often diagnosed with one condition while the other is overlooked.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Only a qualified health professional can diagnose ADHD or autism. ADHD GP is a private telehealth clinic staffed by AHPRA-registered Australian GPs.
Next steps
If ADHD might be affecting you, our Queensland GPs offer telehealth assessments — no referral needed. Book an assessment, see how it works, or compare your ADHD assessment options in Queensland.
Related reading: What is ADHD? Types, causes and diagnosis and Inattentive ADHD in adults.
References
- Lai MC, Kassee C, Besney R, et al. Prevalence of co-occurring mental health diagnoses in the autism population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2019. PubMed PMID 31447415 — ADHD is among the most common co-occurring diagnoses in autistic people.
Sources were last checked on 5 October 2026. See all sources used on this site on our Sources page.
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