AuDHD Symptoms: When ADHD and Autism Co-occurs

AuDHD Symptoms: When ADHD and Autism Co-occurs

AuDHD Symptoms: When ADHD and Autism Co-occurs
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Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge

Imagine raising a child whose incredible curiosity can light up a room but also make everyday tasks feel like climbing a mountain. This is the reality for children exhibiting AuDHD symptoms. AuDHD or Au-DHD is a term gaining traction to describe the unique interplay of traits from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

While not formally recognized by clinicians and not included as a formal diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), AuDHD has become a widely used term for individuals to describe their unique neurological profiles.

What is AuDHD?

In my 30 years of working with neurodivergent and dysregulated children, I have met numerous parents who feel lost when raising a child who seems to be walking two paths at once. I remember a mom who came to me, overwhelmed, describing her son Ely as a “genius in building LEGO masterpieces but unable to sit still long enough to finish a worksheet.” He thrived when given the freedom to explore his interests but struggled in rigid environments that didn’t account for his sensory sensitivities and need for movement. 

Through tailored strategies and support, we worked to create a plan that honored his strengths while addressing his challenges. 

AuDHD meaning

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are both neurodevelopmental conditions, and some individuals experience their combined effects. Such a condition is often referred to as AuDHD, which can present a unique set of challenges and symptoms. Research suggests that the dual diagnosis of ADHD and ASD, including the process of an autism diagnosis, makes the condition very complex (Mayes et al., 2012).

The first step to understanding AuDHD symptoms is to know what an ADHD diagnosis and ASD look like as separate conditions. These symptoms encompass traits from both conditions. Each individual’s experience and symptom presentation will be unique and will require personalized support and understanding.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts how individuals communicate, socialize, and process the world around them. It’s called a spectrum because the way it presents can vary widely—from subtle challenges in social interactions to more pronounced difficulties with language or sensory sensitivities.

People with ASD often experience differences in how they think, learn, and connect with others, which can be both strengths and challenges. Identifying autism symptoms is crucial for accurate evaluations, as these symptoms can manifest differently in various settings and require skilled professionals to discern between significant overlap with conditions such as ADHD.

Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, and activity levels. It’s often characterized by challenges with focus, rejection sensitivity, organization, lack of executive functioning skills, and following through on tasks, but it can also include hyperactivity, restlessness, or difficulty regulating emotions.

ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis—it manifests differently in every individual, with some showing more inattentive traits and others experiencing pronounced hyperactivity or impulsivity. As one of the neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD shares overlapping symptoms with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), highlighting the complexity and co-occurrence in individuals diagnosed with such conditions.

AuDHD symptoms vs. ASD and ADHD symptoms

What are Common AuDHD Symptoms? 

The specific AuDHD symptom and its severity can vary significantly between children and teens with co-occurring ASD and ADHD. Studies suggests that it is important to consult with a qualified professional for accurate diagnosis and appropriate support tailored to the child’s unique needs and experiences (Grzadzinski et al., 2010). Addressing mental health challenges through various treatment and support approaches is crucial for individuals to manage AuDHD traits.

6 Challenges of AuDHD

Here's a detailed explanation and example for each symptoms of both autism and ADHD :

Distractibility

Kids with AuDHD may struggle with the symptoms of inattentiveness and distractibility. They're easily distracted by internal thoughts or external sensory stimuli sometimes, just like most people with ADHD. These kids might also lose track of conversations and miss instructions. They also have difficulty focusing on tasks and paying attention, leading to academic or professional difficulties.

Scenario: Lisa who has ASD and ADHD struggles to concentrate in class due to the constant background noise of chatter and shuffling papers.

Solution: Lisa's 504 plan includes that she needs to wear noise-canceling headphones to focus.

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Hyperactivity can manifest as excessive fidgeting, restlessness exhibit impulsivity, and difficulty sitting still. Impulsivity might involve blurting out answers, interrupting others, or acting without thinking, potentially causing conflicts and challenges outside social norms or risky behavior. These two are the most common symptoms of ADHD that are also evident in AuDHD.

Scenario: Because of Lucy's AuDHD, she can't easily control impulses. She often interrupts or intrudes on people in other groups, and blurts out the answer in class before the teacher finishes the question. This behavior often leads to frustration and classroom disruption.

Solution: To support Lucy's autism and ADHD, her teacher can implement strategies that promote self-regulation and positive engagement. One effective approach is to use a visual or tactile cue system, such as a small “pause card” or a discreet signal between Lucy and the teacher, to remind her when it’s time to wait her turn.

Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviors

Managing impulses can be challenging for individuals with AuDHD. They might struggle to wait their turn, control their emotions, or resist engaging in repetitive behaviors. This can impact social interactions, daily activities, and emotional regulation.

Scenario: Jamie, a 7-year old with ADHD and ASD diagnosis, struggles to wait his turn during group activities, often interrupting others and becoming frustrated when asked to stop. This leads to tension with peers and difficulty completing tasks collaboratively.

Solution: To help Jamie, provide clear visual cues, like a “turn tracker” or timer, to set expectations for waiting. Pair this with positive reinforcement, such as praise or rewards, when he successfully waits his turn, gradually building his impulse control skills.

Difficulties with Organization

Organizing tasks and activities can be a hurdle for individuals with AuDHD. They may face significant challenges with planning, time management, and keeping track of belongings, leading to missed deadlines, lost items, and cluttered environments.

Scenario: Johnny a teenager with co-occurring ASD and ADHD frequently misplaces his keys, phone, or homework due to forgetfulness and difficulties with time management.

Solution: Establish a consistent routine with designated “home bases” for important items, like a specific basket for his keys and phone. Use visual schedules or reminder apps to help Johnny track tasks and deadlines, reinforcing these habits with encouragement and gentle prompts. It would also help to create a crave routine, which refers to the strong need or preference for predictable patterns and structured activities.

Attention to Detail

While some individuals with ASD excel at focusing on minute details, others with AuDHD may struggle with focusing on specific points or maintaining sustained attention. This can impact learning, following instructions, and completing tasks that require accuracy.

Scenario: Sophie, who has ADHD and autism, often misses key details in her assignments, such as skipping questions or overlooking instructions, because she struggles to maintain focus on specific points.

Solution: Provide Sophie with step-by-step checklists or highlighted instructions to help her focus on critical details. Break tasks into smaller, manageable parts and offer regular check-ins to ensure she stays on track, reinforcing her efforts with positive feedback.

Social Communication Challenges

Understanding and using nonverbal cues, initiating and maintaining conversations, and interpreting social rules can be complex for individuals with AuDHD. They might miss sarcasm, misunderstand facial expressions, and struggle with taking turns in conversation, which leads to social misunderstandings and difficulties in forming relationships. Additionally, challenges related to social interaction, such as understanding social cues and maintaining relationships, are common for individuals with autism and require tailored approaches in evaluation and support.

Scenario: Brian, who also struggles with ADHD and autism, interprets a classmate’s playful nudge as aggression and reacts defensively, causing tension and a misunderstanding between them.

Solution: Brian's parents and her teachers, taught him to pause and use a calming strategy, like taking a deep breath, before reacting in social situations. Pair this with social skills coaching to help him recognize non-threatening gestures, and involve peers in activities that promote understanding and positive communication. Joining supports groups for ASD and ADHD individuals also helped Brian in his social communication.

Learning Disabilities

Some individuals with AuDHD may also experience learning disabilities alongside their core symptoms. Autistic children might have challenges with reading, writing, math, or processing information, requiring additional support and accommodations.

Scenario: Alex demonstrates exceptional creativity in hands-on projects but struggles with reading and writing assignments, which makes it challenging for him to keep up with his coursework.

Solution: Provide Alex with alternative ways to demonstrate his knowledge, such as creating visual presentations or recording verbal responses. Pair this with targeted support, like assistive technology or structured writing templates, to build his confidence and skills in reading and writing over time.

Anxiety Disorder

The complexities of managing AuDHD symptoms can contribute to anxiety disorder, depression, and other mental health concerns. Seeking support from a qualified mental health professional is crucial for managing co-occurring conditions and promoting overall well-being. The evolution in the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders, particularly post-2013, has highlighted the importance of skilled professionals in identifying overlapping symptoms.

Scenario: Sarah, managing the complexities of autism and ADHD, faces daily stressors that gradually lead to heightened social anxiety and feelings of isolation.

Solution: To support Sarah, incorporate regular calming activities into her day, like mindfulness or sensory breaks, to help manage stress. Pair this with gradual exposure to social situations in safe, supportive environments and encourage her to join interest-based groups to build connections and reduce isolation.

Diagnosis and Support for the Symptoms of ADHD and ASD

Accurate diagnosis of AuDHD should be done by a qualified professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. They can assess the individual’s specific symptoms and needs, recommend appropriate interventions, and connect them with supportive resources.

Diagnosis and Support for the Symptoms of ADHD and ASD

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers valuable resources and information on ADHD and co-occurring autism. You may also obtain reliable information from other parents facing the same struggle through support groups and communities.

Understanding the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options is crucial in children and teens with AuDHD. Changes in mental health diagnosis criteria since 2013 have allowed for dual diagnoses, significantly impacting the recognition and treatment of these conditions.

Holistic Therapies for AuDHD

Calming the brain so a neurodivergent child or teen can self regulate enough to learn coping strategies is critical.

The BrainBehaviorResetTM Program also provides help and support for families navigating AuDHD. The program incorporates science-backed solutions, such as neurofeedback, PEMF, and magnesium, to ensure that kids get the treatment and support they need without resulting in using medications that can affect their growth and behavior. By recognizing the complexities and seeking professional guidance, children and teens with AuDHD can navigate their unique challenges and thrive. Take our Solutions Matcher to find out the best solutions for your dysregulated kid.

Parent Action Steps

☐ Listen to my podcast, It’s Gonna Be OK! ADHD podcast series and Autism episodes.
☐ Implement strategies for managing AuDHD symptoms
☐ Provide opportunities for social connections based on shared interests.
☐ Collaborate with mental health professionals for comprehensive support.
☐ Use the Solutions Matcher to get personalized science-backed solutions for your child.

How Can Occupational Therapy Help with Co-occurring ADHD ?

Occupational therapy can be a powerful tool for individuals with co-occurring ADHD and social difficulties. ADHD traits, such as lack of executive functioning skills, impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, often contribute to challenges in social interactions, making it harder to pick up on social cues, maintain relationships, or navigate group settings. Occupational therapists work to address these issues by improving self-regulation, teaching social skills, and creating strategies tailored to the individual's unique needs. By focusing on practical, everyday solutions, occupational therapy helps individuals develop the tools they need to manage ADHD traits while improving their ability to connect with others.

How Can a Supportive Environment Help Address Sensory Overload in AuDHD?

Creating a supportive environment is essential for individuals experiencing sensory overload, especially when diagnostic challenges complicate their care. Sensory issues, often associated with conditions like ADHD or autism, can manifest as heightened sensitivity to sounds, lights, or textures, making daily life overwhelming. The American Psychiatric Association emphasizes the importance of individualized approaches, as diagnostic challenges often arise when symptoms overlap or fall within nuanced severity spectrums used in evaluations. Tailored support and a AuDHD-friendly environment reduces triggers, fosters emotional regulation, and provides stability, helping autistic individuals better manage their unique needs while navigating the complexities of diagnosis and treatment.

How Can AuDHD Affect A Kid's Life?

When two disorders, such as autism and ADHD, co-occur, they can impact various aspects of daily life, from social interactions to academic or occupational performance. A comprehensive treatment plan is essential to address these challenges and improve quality of life. By focusing on specific interests and strengths, while also addressing other aspects like emotional regulation and sensory needs, a tailored approach can help individuals better manage the unique interplay of their conditions. This holistic focus ensures that the treatment plan supports both immediate needs and long-term goals, creating a framework for thriving in daily life for autistic people with ADHD symptoms.

Can ADHD Be Diagnosed Separately from Other Conditions?

Yes, ADHD can be diagnosed as a standalone condition or as part of a broader diagnostic picture. While one diagnosis may sometimes include overlapping traits with other neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, ADHD separately can be diagnosed. It has its own distinct challenges, such as difficulties with attention, impulsivity, rejection sensitivity, and hyperactivity. A thorough evaluation and clinical interview by a qualified professional ensures that ADHD is accurately identified, whether on its own or in conjunction with other conditions, leading to a more effective and individualized treatment plan.

How Can Tailored Support Help with Co-occurrence of ADHD and Autism?

When ADHD and autism co-occur, they create unique challenges, such as emotional dysregulation, difficulties with time management, and struggles with social skills. Tailored support, such as individualized strategies and therapies for emotional regulation, structured routines for time management, and targeted social skills training, can address these specific needs. By focusing on the person’s strengths and providing personalized tools, tailored support helps build confidence and improve overall functioning.

What Does AuDHD Look Like in Women?

Women with AuDHD may exhibit traits like intense focus on specific interests, heightened sensory sensitivities, and difficulty regulating emotions. However, they often mask these traits to fit into social norms, leading to exhaustion, anxiety, or feelings of inadequacy.

Social challenges, such as navigating friendships, interpreting social cues, or maintaining small talk, can coexist with ADHD traits like forgetfulness, impulsivity, and struggles with time management. Many women with AuDHD feel misunderstood or overlooked, as their symptoms may not align with stereotypical presentations of ADHD or autism seen in men. Recognizing these nuanced experiences is key to providing proper support, fostering self-acceptance, and addressing the unique challenges faced by women with AuDHD.

Citations

Grzadzinski, R., Di Martino, A., Brady, E., Mairena, M. A., O’Neale, M., Petkova, E., Lord, C., & Castellanos, F. X. (2010). Examining Autistic Traits in Children with ADHD: Does the Autism Spectrum Extend to ADHD? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(9), 1178–1191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1135-3

Mayes, S. D., Calhoun, S. L., Mayes, R. D., & Molitoris, S. (2012). Autism and ADHD: Overlapping and discriminating symptoms. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(1), 277–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2011.05.009

Dr. Roseann is a mental health expert who frequently is in the media:

Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.

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©Roseann Capanna-Hodge 2025

Dr. Roseann is a Children’s Mental Health Expert and Licensed Therapist who has been featured in/on hundreds of media outlets including The Mel Robbins Show, CBS, NBC, PIX11 NYC, Today, FORBES, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Business Insider, Women’s Day, Healthline, CNET, Parade Magazine and PARENTS. FORBES called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health.

Dr. Roseann - Brain Behavior Reset Parent Toolkit

She coined the terms, “Re-entry panic syndrome” and “eco-anxiety” and is a frequent contributor to media on mental health. 

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge has three decades of experience in working with children, teens and their families with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, concussion, dyslexia and learning disability, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression and mood disorder, Lyme Disease, and PANS/PANDAS using science-backed natural mental health solutions such as supplements, magnesium, nutrition, QEEG Brain maps, neurofeedback, PEMF, psychotherapy and other non-medication approaches. 

She is the author of three bestselling books, It’s Gonna Be OK!: Proven Ways to Improve Your Child's Mental Health, The Teletherapy Toolkit, and Brain Under Attack. Dr. Roseann is known for offering a message of hope through science-endorsed methods that promote a calm brain. 

Her trademarked BrainBehaviorResetⓇ Program and It’s Gonna be OK!Ⓡ Podcast has been a cornerstone for thousands of parents facing mental health, behavioral or neurodevelopmental challenges.

She is the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health, Neurotastic™Brain Formulas and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC. Dr. Roseann is a Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN) Practitioner, a Board Member of the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) and an Amen Clinic Certified Brain Health Coach.  She is also a member of The International Lyme Disease and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), The American Psychological Association (APA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).

© Roseann-Capanna-Hodge, LLC 2025

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