At a Glance
An autism and ADHD dual diagnosis can offer you valuable insight into how overlapping neurodivergent traits shape your daily experiences. When you understand this interplay, you can access tailored support strategies that address both your attention regulation and sensory processing needs. Choose Connect To Autism’s private assessments if you’re looking for a fast, accurate identification, with practical tools for self-awareness and growth.
When Autism and ADHD Overlap – Why Dual Diagnosis Can Be Complex
It’s easy to stereotype neurodiversity, given the myths and lack of understanding that continue to persist. For instance, you might not realise that someone can have more than one neurodiverse condition at the same time. People experience and process the world in their own way, and those traits can overlap or show up differently from person to person.
Autism and ADHD dual diagnosis is one example of co-occurring conditions. While both share commonalities in terms of challenges in emotional regulation, communication, and daily functioning, studies suggest that many ADHD traits can clash with autistic traits.
For example, if you have a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD, you may feel pulled toward new experiences while still needing the stability of familiar routines. This makes the diagnosis of dual, co-occurring conditions fairly complex, where clinicians have to untangle overlapping symptoms and make an accurate assessment. Experienced clinicians like Anne Marie at Connect To Autism use structured assessments and a holistic approach to correctly identify autism and ADHD.
In this article, we explore what a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD means and how a formal autism assessment can bring clarity to an otherwise complex neurodivergent profile.
What is a Dual Diagnosis of Autism and ADHD?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common co-occurring conditions amongst neurodiverse individuals. In the UK alone, it’s estimated that up to 2.6 million individuals are diagnosed with ADHD, and 1 in every 100 people is autistic. NHS data suggests that approximately 40% of autistic individuals also have ADHD, further supporting the prevalence of a dual diagnosis.
So what does a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD mean? In simple terms, it means that you meet the diagnostic criteria for both conditions. This can be tricky to diagnose, since autistic traits tend to mimic ADHD traits and vice versa, creating an overlap of symptoms. However, modern diagnostic and screening tools accommodate these nuances and overlaps, helping establish a more professional and accurate diagnosis.
At Connect To Autism, we offer inclusive autism assessments and ADHD screening, along with support to help you navigate life with an autism and ADHD dual diagnosis. To learn more about services, book a free 30-minute consultation today.
Understanding the Overlap
| Trait | Autism and ADHD (AuDHD) | ASD Trait | Autism Trait |
| Focus | Rapid attention shifts, hyperfocus on special interests | Monotropism | Non-stimulating tasks can be met with boredom or difficulty in sustaining attention |
| Impulse | Interrupts others, impatience in waiting for turn | Difficulties in understanding timing or reading social cues | Impaired executive functioning leads to poor impulse control |
| Movement | Pacing, rocking, fidgeting | Stimming or repetitive behaviours to self-regulate | Hyperactive or restless, can’t sit still |
| Function | Challenges in emotional regulation, planning or organising | Daily functioning difficulties are common to both conditions | Difficulty in working memory, planning and organising |
If you have an autism and ADHD dual diagnosis, you’re likely to share underlying neurological pathways involving the frontal lobe while exhibiting differences in the regulation of dopamine. Studies also suggest a genetic overlap, making assessments complex, requiring a meticulous and thorough investigation of the root causes behind both behaviours.
Getting Diagnosed in the UK
If you suspect you have autism but also identify with ADHD traits, you may be able to obtain a dual diagnosis, however, this requires a professional assessment. Many clinicians assessing autism and ADHD in adults in the UK offer screenings for both conditions and provide a dual diagnosis with tailored therapeutic support.
Preparation is key, and you can expect questions from your clinician about your symptoms and traits, and where you experience difficulties. It’s a good idea to make detailed notes for reference, including early childhood recollections of any particular experiences or instances when you first noticed these traits more prominently. Having an informant like a parent or carer during an assessment can be helpful in this regard and ensure no details or recollections are missed.
Public autism services have long wait times and can postpone your access to much-needed support, whether you have a dual diagnosis or not. An online private assessment and screening for ADHD can be a viable pathway, making diagnosis both inclusive and accessible.
These assessments use comprehensive tools like DISCO interviews and ADOS-2 that allow clinicians to make an accurate diagnosis. Since formal assessments also act as proof of neurodiversity, you can access workplace and educational accommodations as well as benefits under government programs like PIP.
Living with Autism and ADHD Dual Diagnosis
Living with either autism or ADHD on its own comes with its share of challenges, and a dual diagnosis can feel overwhelming. For example, the inability to plan or organise is a core ADHD trait that can feel even more complex to navigate with autistic sensory sensitivities and a preference for routine. Individuals with a dual diagnosis are also likely to experience the ADHD driven need for social interactions, while facing autistic burnout simultaneously.
This constant contradiction in the presentation of traits can be exhausting to deal with. Without proper tailored support, this can cause sensory overload and high stress. Cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) that are adapted to neurodivergent individuals show promise, and in some cases, medications for ADHD can also be helpful.
An inclusive environment that accommodates sensory sensitivities and communication styles is essential if you have an autism and ADHD dual diagnosis. This allows you to learn and work comfortably, significantly improving emotional and behavioural outcomes.
How Private Autism Assessments Can Help with Dual Diagnosis
You might be tempted to resort to AI autism tools, but if you suspect you have autism and ADHD, it’s best to consider a traditional assessment route. This is because behaviours such as masking that are common to autism, combined with co-occurring conditions like ADHD or dyspraxia, require professional expertise.
Clinicians providing autism assessment services have the specialist knowledge required to identify traits in dual presentations and factor in gender gaps. As a result, their assessments are much more holistic, nuanced, and accurate, and remain unmatched compared to AI-driven tools.
Another advantage of a private autism assessment is that you’ll receive detailed recommendations with practical, actionable strategies for an improved quality of life. You’ll also be able to access specialised support services immediately, as your assessment can be submitted to the NHS or local council authorities as proof of neurodiversity.
For Comprehensive, Holistic Autism Assessments, Choose Connect to Autism
Now you have a better understanding of autism and ADHD dual diagnosis, why not get a formal autism assessment provided by an experienced therapist?
Connect to Autism provides online autism assessments and ADHD screening assessments for adults aged 16 and over, with a special emphasis on adult females with autism. The service is led by Anne Marie Gallagher, a speech and language therapist with over 25 years of experience in autism diagnosis and assessments.
Our professional autism assessments include comprehensive evaluations and detailed reports, helping you better understand yourself and develop tailored strategies for your emotional and psychological well-being.
To learn more, book a free 30-minute consultation today.