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Autism and ADHD share overlapping features including inattention, impulsivity and sensory differences, and they frequently co-occur. This guide explains the key similarities and differences and how clinicians distinguish between them.
Autism and ADHD are both neurodevelopmental conditions that affect attention, behaviour and daily functioning. They share several overlapping features including inattention, impulsivity, sensory differences and executive function difficulties, which can make distinguishing between them challenging. Research shows that between 50 and 70 percent of autistic people also meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, making them one of the most commonly co-occurring pairs of conditions in neurodevelopmental practice.
SENDhelp places specialist SEN teachers, teaching assistants and support staff in schools and provisions across North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. If your school needs staff experienced with autism, we can help.
ADHD is primarily characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that affect daily functioning. Autism is primarily characterised by differences in social communication and interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviours and sensory differences. These are different primary features, but both share secondary features including executive function difficulties, emotional regulation challenges and sensory sensitivities.
Both autism and ADHD involve executive function difficulties including challenges with planning, organisation and time management. Both involve difficulties with attention regulation, though the nature differs: autistic attention may involve intense focus on areas of interest and difficulty shifting, while ADHD attention is more characterised by difficulty sustaining focus on non-preferred tasks and impulsive task-switching. Both involve sensory differences and emotional regulation challenges.
The primary social communication differences characterising autism are not a feature of ADHD. Restricted and repetitive behaviours and special interests are characteristics of autism but not ADHD. Hyperactivity and impulsivity are central features of ADHD but not autism. An autistic person may find social situations confusing due to difficulty reading cues; a person with ADHD may find social situations difficult due to impulsivity, but the underlying mechanism is different.
Between 50 and 70 percent of autistic people also meet criteria for ADHD, far above what would be expected by chance. This high co-occurrence has led to research into shared genetic and neurological factors underlying both conditions. When both are present, support needs reflect both conditions and both should be addressed in assessment and support planning.
If a person shows features of both autism and ADHD, assessment for both should be sought. The restriction preventing both diagnoses simultaneously was removed with DSM-5 in 2013. NHS and private assessment services can assess for both conditions. A comprehensive assessment considering both possibilities produces more useful results than one focusing on only one condition.
ADHD frequently responds well to medication, with stimulant medications showing strong evidence for improving attention and reducing hyperactivity. There are no equivalent evidence-based medications for autism as a whole, though medications may be used for specific co-occurring conditions. Both autism and ADHD benefit from environmental adjustments, structured routines and understanding from those around the person.
For related information see our articles on Conditions Linked to Autism and Autism Explained.
Yes. Between 50 and 70 percent of autistic people also meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Both diagnoses can and should be given when both are present. Having both conditions means support needs reflect both and both should be addressed in assessment and support planning.
Autism is primarily characterised by social communication differences and restricted and repetitive behaviours. ADHD is primarily characterised by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Both conditions share executive function difficulties, sensory sensitivities and emotional regulation challenges, which causes overlap, but the core features are distinct.
If you or your child shows features of both autism and ADHD, seek assessment for both. In some services, assessment can happen simultaneously. Discussing both possibilities with your GP at the initial referral stage is the most efficient approach.
Visit our Understanding Autism hub for more guides on signs, diagnosis, causes, sensory needs, masking and co-occurring conditions.
The information in this article is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. If you have concerns about autism or any neurodevelopmental condition, speak to a qualified healthcare professional. SENDhelp Education Limited accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content. Any links to third-party websites are provided for convenience only and do not constitute endorsement of their content.
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