Yes, autism with ADHD can occur together in the same person. They are two separate diagnoses, but they overlap often, and clinicians have formally recognized this since 2013. The combination is sometimes called AuDHD, an informal term, not an official diagnosis. A professional assessment is the only way to know.
The Short Answer: Yes, Both Can Be Present
If you’ve wondered whether you or your child could have autism and ADHD, you’re asking a question clinicians take seriously. The two conditions are classified separately, with their own criteria, yet they show up in the same person more often than many people expect.
It helps to know that neither is a version of the other. ADHD is not on the autism spectrum; they are two separate diagnoses with distinct criteria in the DSM-5. Both are grouped as neurodevelopmental conditions, meaning they relate to how the brain develops, and both usually appear in childhood. But a person can meet the criteria for each one at the same time.
Why This Wasn’t Always Recognized
For years, families were told it was one or the other. Before 2013, the diagnostic manual prevented doctors and researchers from describing ADHD and autism as disorders that can occur together.
In practice, that meant attention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity in an autistic person were generally attributed to autism rather than recognized as ADHD. The DSM-5 changed that when it removed the exclusion rule and formally allowed co-occurring diagnoses of autism and ADHD. Many families felt the manual was finally catching up with what they’d seen for years.
This history matters for adults especially. Someone who was assessed before 2013, or whose clinician worked from older assumptions, may have had only one condition identified.
How Common Is Autism With ADHD?
There isn’t one agreed number, and you’ll see figures quoted in different places. Studies vary by who is included, how conditions were diagnosed, and which age groups were studied. Here are a few examples:
- CHADD, a major ADHD advocacy organization, says at least 40%, and possibly as many as 70%, of people with ASD may also have ADHD.
- A 2022 research summary reported that between 50% and 70% of autistic people also have ADHD.
- Looking from the other direction, a 2024 study found 9.8% of children with an ADHD diagnosis also had autism.
The takeaway: overlap is common, especially among autistic people, but the exact rate depends on the study. Treat any single statistic as an estimate rather than a fixed fact.
Autism vs ADHD: Core Differences at a Glance
Because the two conditions overlap, it helps to understand what each is mainly about.
| Autism | ADHD | |
| Main areas | Differences in social communication and interaction, plus restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests | Ongoing patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity |
| Sensory differences | Included in the diagnostic criteria | Common, but not a diagnostic criterion |
| Routines | Often very important; change can be distressing | Routines can be hard to keep; novelty may be appealing |
| Early signs | Differences in play, communication, or social interest | Difficulty sitting still, focusing, or waiting |
One source summarizes the distinction this way: in autism, the primary challenges are in social communication and repetitive behaviors. ADHD, by contrast, is defined by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity that interferes with functioning.
Think of this table as a rough guide. Real people rarely match one column neatly, and that’s exactly why careful assessment is needed.
What is AuDHD?
You may come across the term AuDHD online. It’s an informal, community-driven term used for people who meet full diagnostic criteria for both ASD and ADHD, and it is not a separate DSM diagnosis. Many adults use it because neither label alone seems to describe their experience.
The term is useful for connecting with others, but it isn’t something a clinician diagnoses. If you’re formally assessed, you’d receive the diagnoses that apply, such as autism, ADHD, or both.
How Traits Can Interact
When both are present, traits don’t simply add up. Sometimes they pull in opposite directions, which can be confusing. For example:
- A person may crave routine, which is common in autism, but struggle to maintain it, which is common in ADHD.
- Someone may have intense interests but shift rapidly between them.
- Social situations can be tiring for two reasons at once: reading social cues may take effort, and impulsivity or distractibility can make conversations harder to follow.
Others describe feeling pulled between needing predictability and feeling bored by it. These experiences vary widely, and no pattern applies to everyone.
Why Autism and ADHD Are Often Missed Together
Both conditions share several features, including executive functioning difficulties, emotional regulation challenges, and social difficulties. That overlap makes it easy for one condition to explain away the other.
Here are a few common ways this happens:
- ADHD gets diagnosed first. Attention and impulsivity are easier to spot in school or at work, so autism can be overlooked. Some sources note that ADHD signs can mask autism, making it hard to diagnose.
- Autism gets diagnosed first. As described earlier, attention differences were once assumed to be part of autism.
- Masking. Many people, especially adults, learn to hide traits to fit in, which can hide either condition.
- Other conditions. Anxiety, depression, and trauma can look similar and may need to be considered too.
Research on adults is also thinner than research on children. One clinical source notes there has been limited research beyond childhood, although clinical agreement on how to evaluate adults is growing.
How Assessment Usually Works
Clinicians generally assess autism and ADHD with a combination of tools. According to one overview, evaluation involves behavioral observations, questionnaires, and criteria from the DSM-5-TR, and autism assessment typically takes more visits and observation than ADHD.
A thorough assessment often includes:
- A detailed interview about current difficulties, strengths, and daily life
- A developmental history, since both conditions begin in childhood
- Questionnaires and structured tools, used to support clinical judgment
- Input from others who know you or your child well
- A review of other explanations, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep problems
If you’re choosing a provider, ask whether they have experience with both conditions. Some clinicians focus on one, and a service that considers both can give you a clearer picture.
When to Talk to a Professional
Consider speaking with a qualified clinician if:
- Your child shows signs of either condition, or of both
- You’ve been diagnosed with one condition but feel it doesn’t fully explain your experience
- Everyday tasks like planning, focusing, or managing social situations feel consistently harder than they seem for others
- You’ve noticed that the support you’ve tried doesn’t seem to fit
Start with your child’s pediatrician or your own doctor, who can discuss next steps or refer you to a specialist. A diagnosis, or the decision that one doesn’t apply, is a starting point for understanding strengths and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have autism and ADHD at the same time?
Yes. Since 2013, the diagnostic manual has allowed both to be diagnosed together, and research shows they co-occur often.
What is AuDHD?
AuDHD is an informal term for having both autism and ADHD. It isn’t an official diagnosis, but many people use it to describe their experience.
Is ADHD on the autism spectrum?
No. ADHD and autism are separate diagnoses with their own criteria, although they share some traits and can occur together.
How common is it to have both?
Estimates vary by study. Some research suggests that 40% to 70% of autistic people also have ADHD, while a smaller share of people with ADHD also have autism.
How are autism and ADHD diagnosed together?
A qualified clinician typically uses interviews, developmental history, questionnaires, and observation based on DSM-5-TR criteria, while also considering other explanations.
Disclaimer: AutismCue is an informational platform, not a medical provider. Nothing here is a diagnosis or a substitute for professional advice. If you have concerns, please speak with a qualified clinician.