Is It ADHD or Autism?

In the last few years, new research is coming out that ADHD and autism are more closely linked than previously thought. Up until quite recently, the two could not be diagnosed together, while now we know that potentially 50-70% of autistic folks also present with ADHD.

Whoops.

So, what does this mean for you?

For those of us who have traits of ADHD, autism, or the combo platter AuDHD, life can feel a lot like there are two wolves inside you and neither knows what they are doing. Here’s a quick overview of just some of the overlapping traits and qualities that ADHD and autism share (and how they can sometimes differ)

While I am not necessarily a huge fan of diagnoses in general as they often can lead to unfair stigmatization and misunderstanding of the nuance of the human experience, I do believe that having a shared language to describe our experiences certainly helps us feel more understood and connected to those around us. 

Given that we live in a society geared towards a fabled neurotypical ideal, it can be extremely distressing to try to navigate through relationships and everyday life when you are often dismissed or shamed for neurodivergent ways. Talking to a neurodiverse affirming therapist can help you gain self insight and acceptance into the ways that both ADHD and autism may be showing up in your life and how you can work with your particular flavor of brain spice instead of against it. If you feel even remotely attacked by the infographic in this post, please feel free to get in touch and schedule a free consultation with one of our neurodiverse affirming therapists..