I Think I May Have Both ADHD and Autism, Can They Occur Together
Yes. A person can be both autistic and have ADHD.
Yes. A person can be both autistic and have ADHD.
The combination is sometimes informally called “AuDHD”, particularly in online communities. It is useful shorthand for some people, but it is not a separate clinical diagnosis.
The important point is that autism and ADHD can coexist, and one diagnosis does not automatically explain every difficulty associated with the other.
Why can the combination feel contradictory?
You may crave routine and become distressed when plans change, while also struggling to maintain the routines you create.
You may want predictability but become bored by repetition. You may need a calm sensory environment and still seek stimulation. You may become intensely absorbed in something yet struggle to direct attention towards an ordinary task.
Those apparent contradictions can be confusing if you expect one label to explain your behaviour in a simple way.
There is genuine overlap too
Both autistic people and people with ADHD can experience executive-function difficulties, social challenges or mental-health problems.
NHS autism guidance notes that ADHD can make signs of autism harder to recognise, and NICE autism guidance says comprehensive assessment should consider other neurodevelopmental conditions.
That is why overlapping traits need assessment rather than being separated by an online checklist.
A previous diagnosis does not necessarily close the question
If you have ADHD but continue to experience lifelong sensory, communication or routine-related differences that ADHD does not seem to explain, it may be reasonable to discuss autism with a healthcare professional.
Likewise, an autistic person may have attention, impulsivity or hyperactivity difficulties that warrant consideration of ADHD.
The aim is not to accumulate diagnoses. It is to understand whether a second condition would meaningfully explain needs that remain unclear.
Work with the problem even while the labels are unresolved
If you struggle with noise, reduce avoidable sensory load. If remembering appointments is difficult, externalise reminders. If sudden changes cause distress, ask for clearer plans. If large tasks are overwhelming, make the next action visible.
Practical support does not need to wait until every diagnostic question has been answered.
Mental wellbeing can get lost between the diagnoses
Years of feeling inconsistent or “too much” in one situation and “not enough” in another can affect confidence.
Anxiety, depression and exhaustion can also coexist with neurodevelopmental conditions.
If your mental health is suffering, ask for appropriate support. The goal is not simply to determine which diagnosis owns each symptom; it is to help you function and feel better understood.
Last reviewed
6 September 2026
Important autism, ADHD and mental health information
This guide provides general information only and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical or mental-health advice. Autistic people and people with ADHD are individuals, and experiences of communication, routine, sensory processing, attention, organisation, relationships and mental wellbeing can vary greatly.
Recognising autistic or ADHD traits does not by itself establish a diagnosis. Autism and ADHD assessments should be undertaken by appropriately trained and competent healthcare professionals and should consider developmental history, current life and functioning, other health or neurodevelopmental conditions, and the person’s individual experiences.
If difficulties are persistent or significantly affecting everyday life or mental wellbeing, speak to your GP, assessment service or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional about what support may be appropriate.
Do not start, stop or change prescribed medication based on information in this guide. Medication decisions should be discussed with the clinician responsible for your care.