ADHD and autism (Audhd)

Hello Danfee

I was diagnosed ASD in my 60s, just over a year ago. I have been referred for an ADHD assessment.

I’ve read up on this and I’m fairly certain that I’m AuDHD. Some autism traits and ADHD traits can seem similar at first sight, so it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between the two conditions with regard to specific difficulties.

How could I figure out whether a trait is due to autism or ADHD? I was diagnosed autistic a few years back, but I struggle more and more with focus and getting constantly distracted, jumping from one task to another without finishing either, and struggling to start things. On paper, I would say this all sounds like ADHD, however I think this could just be part of the autism. How can you tell?

The distraction and procrastination certainly sounds more likely caused by ADHD but with both things in the mix it can be difficult to pick apart what is doing what. The only way you could definitively figure that out is by medicating the ADHD I guess. For me, I have found it helpful to think of AuDHD as it's own thing, rather than two separate conditions. There is a push and pull in the brain of an AuDHD person that is unlikely to exist with pure ADHD or pure autism. For instance, I have this deep desire to be organised and methodical and have routine but an inability to do those consistently due to lack of focus, need for novelty, easily bored etc.

Ha yeah he wouldn't function without me! But my brain is an exhausting mess. I might speak to my GP as you suggested. I hope you manage the form soon!

It sounds like we are in quite similar positions. I am diagnosed autistic and have begun process of getting an ADHD assessment but, of course, I am really struggling to get the form done! Finishing it has been on my to do list for months now. I only want to do it so I can give medication a go. I also tend to notice where things are and remember and my wife is also always losing stuff!

There is a lot of overlap between Autism and ADHD. Certain symptoms, such as intense focus, can be shared between the two conditions. That’s why it’s a little hard to tell if you have just Autism, ADHD, or both.

As McFrost alluded to, you can medicate for ADHD. That might be one good reason to go ahead and pursue a diagnosis. I’d recommend talking with your GP and see if they suggest it or not.

That's very helpful, thank you for the example. I certainly don't fit the ADHD criteria when it comes to losing things, whereas my husband constantly forgets where he puts everything. I walk past it once and remember exactly where it is. But similarly to your example, I make precise lists to alleviate my mental load and stop my brain from spinning, I decide the order I should do things in, but then I look at the first thing on the list and can't do it.

It took years to get an autism diagnosis though so I'm reluctant to start the process again for ADHD, but I do wonder if the things that I struggle with the most now are actually ADHD, since I've put a lot in place since understanding the ASD part of my brain, so I'm managing a lot better with the ASD difficulties.

That's very helpful, thank you for the example. I certainly don't fit the ADHD criteria when it comes to losing things, whereas my husband constantly forgets where he puts everything. I walk past it once and remember exactly where it is. But similarly to your example, I make precise lists to alleviate my mental load and stop my brain from spinning, I decide the order I should do things in, but then I look at the first thing on the list and can't do it.

It took years to get an autism diagnosis though so I'm reluctant to start the process again for ADHD, but I do wonder if the things that I struggle with the most now are actually ADHD, since I've put a lot in place since understanding the ASD part of my brain, so I'm managing a lot better with the ASD difficulties.

Ha yeah he wouldn't function without me! But my brain is an exhausting mess. I might speak to my GP as you suggested. I hope you manage the form soon!

It sounds like we are in quite similar positions. I am diagnosed autistic and have begun process of getting an ADHD assessment but, of course, I am really struggling to get the form done! Finishing it has been on my to do list for months now. I only want to do it so I can give medication a go. I also tend to notice where things are and remember and my wife is also always losing stuff!

There is a lot of overlap between Autism and ADHD. Certain symptoms, such as intense focus, can be shared between the two conditions. That’s why it’s a little hard to tell if you have just Autism, ADHD, or both.

As McFrost alluded to, you can medicate for ADHD. That might be one good reason to go ahead and pursue a diagnosis. I’d recommend talking with your GP and see if they suggest it or not.