Can You Have Autism and ADHD?

Calder Psychology
6 days ago
6 min read

Do I Have ADHD or Autism? Understanding the Differences

Autism diagnoses in Australia have risen significantly over the past two decades. Current figures show that around 4.3% of Australian children aged 5 to 14 are diagnosed with autism, up from 3.2% in 2018. Recent research also found that the introduction of the NDIS may have contributed to this increase, with the study estimating a 32% rise in overall autism prevalence linked to the scheme.

As autism has become better understood as a spectrum, more people with different abilities and support needs are being identified. This broader understanding can also leave people questioning whether the traits they experience are related to autism, ADHD, or both.

If you have difficulties with attention, social communication, routines or sensory experiences, you may find yourself asking, “Do I have ADHD or autism?” Although the two conditions can share some traits, they are different neurodevelopmental conditions.

So, can you have ADHD and autism? Yes. You can be autistic and have ADHD at the same time. However, the two conditions affect people in different ways. Understanding where they overlap and where they differ can help you decide whether an autism assessment may be worth considering.

Is ADHD a Form of Autism?

No. ADHD is not a form of autism.

Although the two conditions can overlap, they have different diagnostic features.

Autism primarily involves differences in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted or repetitive behaviours, focused interests and/or sensory differences. ADHD primarily involves difficulties with attention regulation and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity.

What Do Autism and ADHD Have in Common?

The overlap between autism and ADHD can make things feel particularly unclear.

You might relate to traits associated with both conditions without knowing why. For example, both autistic people and people with ADHD can experience difficulties with:

Executive functioning
Organisation and planning
Managing attention
Emotional regulation
Sensory experiences
Social interactions
Coping with demands and change
Managing everyday routines

However, having one of these traits does not automatically mean you have autism or ADHD.

How Are Autism and ADHD Different?

While there is some overlap, autism and ADHD have different core characteristics.

Autism

Autism can involve differences in:

Social communication and interaction
Understanding or navigating social situations
Preference for routines and predictability
Focused or intense interests
Repetitive movements or behaviours
Sensory processing and sensitivity

These characteristics can look very different between people. Autism is a spectrum, and there is no single way to be autistic.

You may have strong verbal communication skills but find unspoken social expectations difficult to navigate. You may enjoy socialising but need significant time alone afterwards. You may function well in familiar environments but feel overwhelmed by unexpected changes or sensory input.

The fact that your difficulties are not always obvious to other people does not make them any less real.

ADHD

ADHD can involve:

Difficulty sustaining attention
Impulsivity
Hyperactivity or restlessness
Difficulty organising tasks
Forgetfulness
Problems with time management
Difficulty starting or completing tasks

These experiences can overlap with some autistic traits, but the overall pattern is different.

For example, an autistic person may prefer a predictable routine because knowing what will happen helps them feel comfortable and prepared. Someone with ADHD may struggle to maintain a routine because organising and following through with tasks can be difficult.

A person with both may experience both challenges at once.

Why Can Autism and ADHD Be Difficult to Tell Apart?

Autism and ADHD can share some similar traits, which can make them difficult to tell apart. You may have trouble with concentration or organisation while also finding social situations, sensory experiences or changes to routine challenging.

It can become even harder to recognise autism if you have learned ways to manage or hide your traits. Some autistic people become good at copying social behaviours or adapting to different situations, which can make their autistic traits less obvious.

This is why autism cannot be identified based on one or two traits alone. An assessment looks at your experiences over time, including your development, behaviour and how different characteristics affect your everyday life.

When Should You Consider an Autism Assessment?

You do not need to be completely certain that you are autistic before seeking an assessment.

You may consider speaking with a qualified professional if you have experienced long-standing patterns such as:

Finding social situations difficult to understand or navigate
Feeling that you have to consciously work out how to behave around other people
Becoming overwhelmed by sounds, textures, lights, smells or other sensory experiences
Feeling distressed when plans change unexpectedly
Having strong or highly focused interests
Preferring familiar routines and knowing what to expect
Repeating certain movements or behaviours when you are excited, stressed or overwhelmed
Feeling exhausted after maintaining social expectations
Feeling that previous explanations for your experiences have never quite fit

None of these experiences alone confirms autism.

They can, however, be worth discussing if they have been present over time and affect your relationships, work, study, daily routines or wellbeing.

You may also be seeking answers after recognising autistic traits in a family member, child, partner or friend. Sometimes seeing someone else's experiences can give you language for things you have struggled to explain in yourself.

That can be the beginning of a much bigger question: “do I have ADHD or autism?”

Getting Support After an Autism Assessment

An autism assessment can help you make sense of experiences that may have felt confusing or difficult for years. Understanding how you think, communicate and respond to the world can also make it easier to identify the support and strategies that work for you.

At Calder Psychology, our psychologists can support you through the assessment process and help you better understand your experiences. We take the time to look at your individual circumstances, developmental history and current challenges rather than focusing on a checklist of traits.

If you receive an autism diagnosis, we can help you understand what it means for you and discuss practical ways to manage challenges in your everyday life. If an assessment does not result in a diagnosis, we can still help you identify areas where you may benefit from further support.

Conclusion

Yes, you can have autism and ADHD. They are separate neurodevelopmental conditions, but they can occur together and share some characteristics. That overlap can make it difficult to understand what you are experiencing, particularly when you have spent years adapting, masking or simply assuming that everyone finds everyday life this exhausting.

If you keep asking yourself, “do I have ADHD or autism?”, you do not need to work it out alone.

An autism assessment can help you better understand your experiences, particularly when traits overlap with ADHD or other conditions. With the right understanding, you can move away from self-blame and towards support that actually fits the way you experience the world.

You do not need to have all the answers before seeking an assessment. Calder Psychology can help you explore your experiences and understand whether an autism assessment may be appropriate for you.