You notice your child’s boundless curiosity and constant motion—the same energy that drives them to build, question, and create. But you also see the overwhelm: meltdowns after school, lost homework, emotional crashes. Maybe you’ve wondered why ADHD strategies only go so far, or why “social skills” goals miss the mark.
More and more families and adults are discovering a term that explains this overlap: AuDHD—a community-created shorthand for being both autistic and ADHD.
Clinically, many people meet criteria for both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Research now shows this co-occurrence is common, not rare. The term AuDHD (pronounced “odd-HD”) arose from autistic and ADHD communities as a way to name that shared experience.
While not an official DSM diagnosis, AuDHD captures how these two neurotypes interact to create a distinct profile of strengths, sensory patterns, and executive-function needs. Instead of viewing it as “double difficulty,” a neurodiversity-affirming approach recognizes AuDHD as a valid neurological difference that requires understanding and accommodation, not correction.
Neurodiversity acknowledges that brains naturally vary in how they process information, regulate attention, and relate to others. From this standpoint:
At Layers Counseling in Plano and surrounding areas, we use this framework to help clients understand their brains and build systems that actually fit them.
Although autism and ADHD are distinct diagnoses, they share several neurological features—especially in attention regulation, executive function, and sensory processing. In AuDHD, these systems often blend in complex ways:
| Shared Area | Autism Tendency | ADHD Tendency | Combined AuDHD Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attention Focus | Deep focus on specific interests | Rapid shifts between topics | Hyperfocus followed by task-switching fatigue |
| Sensory Processing | Over- or under-sensitivity | Sensory seeking | Fluctuating tolerance and energy |
| Executive Function | Prefers structure and routine | Struggles with organization | Wants routine but can’t maintain it consistently |
| Social Interaction | Literal, pattern-based communication | Impulsive, fast-paced style | Misunderstandings and social fatigue |
This combination can make life feel contradictory—craving routine but bored by it, loving novelty but overwhelmed by change. Recognizing this pattern helps families replace frustration with compassion and realistic support.
Strengths
Challenges
Understanding these as neurological realities—not moral failings—allows families and adults to build systems that support success.
Because autism and ADHD can overlap and even mask one another, many AuDHD individuals go undiagnosed or are treated for only one condition. Without accurate, affirming assessment, they may receive interventions that increase shame or burnout—rewarding compliance instead of self-regulation.
A neurodiversity-affirming evaluation recognizes traits as adaptive responses, not symptoms to eliminate.
At Layers Counseling, our therapists integrate approaches that honor each client’s unique neurotype:
Our goal is simple: help autistic and ADHD brains work with themselves instead of against themselves.
When we call someone “lazy” for executive-function struggles or “rigid” for needing routine, we reinforce shame. When we use language like “neurodivergent,” “AuDHD,” or “different processing style,” we validate that diversity is real and valuable.
For many clients, hearing “I believe your brain makes sense” is the first step toward healing.
AuDHD is not a problem to solve—it’s a pattern to understand. With the right supports, people with this dual neurotype can thrive academically, professionally, and relationally.
If you or your child identify with both autistic and ADHD traits, our team at Layers Counseling Specialists in Plano and surrounding areas can help you explore strengths, reduce stress, and develop skills that fit your neurotype—not fight it.
