Autism or ADHD? Understanding the Overlap and the Differences
Many people wonder where the line sits between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
They can look remarkably similar on the surface — both influence focus, communication, and emotional regulation — but they stem from different patterns in the brain.
Let’s explore what these two conditions have in common, what makes them distinct, and why so many people relate to traits from both sides.
What ADHD and Autism Have in Common
Both autism and ADHD are neurodevelopmental differences, meaning they begin early in life and shape how the brain grows, learns, and relates to others.
They’re not caused by poor parenting or lifestyle factors — they’re simply different ways the brain is wired.
Because they affect similar brain systems (particularly those involved in attention, regulation, and processing), it’s very common for someone to have both.
Studies show that a large percentage of autistic people also meet the criteria for ADHD. The reverse is less common, but many people with ADHD share overlapping traits.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism is called a spectrum because it can appear in many different ways.
The main areas of difference are:
Social communication and connection – challenges with reading body language, interpreting tone or facial expressions, managing small talk, or understanding unspoken social rules.
Repetitive patterns and sensory differences – including focused interests, a preference for routine, and heightened (or reduced) sensitivity to sound, texture, light, or movement.
Every autistic person has their own profile of strengths and sensitivities.
One person might be highly verbal but find casual conversation exhausting. Another may have limited speech but be deeply intuitive about others’ emotions.
Some use stimming — movements like rocking, tapping, or fidgeting — to regulate sensory or emotional overwhelm.
Autism isn’t about deficits; it’s about differences in processing — how someone perceives and interacts with the world around them.
What ADHD Looks Like
ADHD is primarily about difficulty regulating attention and executive functions — the mental skills we use to plan, prioritise, and manage time or emotions.
It can show up as:
Inattention or “zoning out”
Restlessness or impulsivity
Starting lots of projects but struggling to finish
Difficulty managing motivation or transitions
People with ADHD often describe feeling “driven by a motor” or easily bored. The ADHD brain seeks stimulation and novelty, which helps it feel engaged and focused.
Where ADHD and Autism Overlap
There’s a lot of shared ground between ADHD and autism — especially when it comes to executive functioning and emotional regulation.
Both can include:
Trouble staying organised or managing time
Intense emotional reactions
Difficulty switching between tasks
Social misunderstandings
However, the reasons behind these behaviours differ:
Someone with ADHD might miss social cues because their attention jumps ahead or they get distracted.
Someone with autism might miss them because they interpret language literally or feel overloaded by sensory input.
The same behaviour — like interrupting or seeming “in their own world” — can have completely different roots.
How They Differ
A few helpful distinctions:
Novelty vs. Routine:
People with ADHD crave change and excitement — they get energised by new experiences.
Autistic people usually find comfort in predictability and routine; change can feel unsettling.Fidgeting vs. Stimming:
Fidgeting in ADHD helps focus.
Stimming in autism helps self-soothe and manage sensory input.Social Connection:
People with ADHD are often naturally social and spontaneous but may interrupt or lose track mid-conversation.
Autistic people may prefer deeper, more structured interactions and find surface-level socialising draining.
Why Diagnosis Can Be Complicated
Both ADHD and autism are lifelong neurotypes, but many people — especially women — aren’t diagnosed until adulthood.
There are a few reasons for this:
Subtle symptoms or strong coping strategies can mask the signs.
Healthcare systems often focus on problems rather than differences.
Overlapping conditions like anxiety, depression, or OCD can distract from the underlying neurotype.
Some adults only recognise the signs after burnout, job struggles, or parenting a neurodivergent child.
If you recognise yourself in both ADHD and autism traits, you’re not alone. It’s common — and worth exploring with a professional who understands neurodiversity rather than just “disorder.”
A Compassionate Takeaway
ADHD and autism aren’t flaws to fix — they’re different languages of the brain.
When you learn your brain’s language, you can stop fighting it and start working with it.
Whether you identify with one, both, or are still figuring it out, understanding your neurotype is a powerful step toward self-acceptance and emotional wellbeing.
