11/10/2025 “ADHD vs Autism and the Overlapping Traits” By Kaylee McGrath

Opening Statement:

There have been many discussions throughout the years about Autism and ADHD. Some may think of the two being distinct disorders, but the reality is more complicated and to understand. Both conditions frequently co-occur, and in many cases, a person who is autistic may also have ADHD, and vice versa. This overlap is not just hearsay as much research has shown that the two conditions share a great deal of genetic and neurobiological overlap. I am a recent late diagnosed (diagnosed at age 27) Autistic/ADHD female. Now being mindful of both disorders, I am conscious of both traits and my everyday experiences with battling life with also having other developmental disabilities. I know firsthand the challenges that come with navigating the overlap between Autism and ADHD. These two conditions often co-occur mimicking each other at high rates, with many individuals having both diagnoses including other disorders, like what I have. But what does this overlap truly mean to the person and to others? Current research suggests that Autism and ADHD share a great deal of genetic and neurobiological overlap, which may explain why these conditions commonly occur together in families and individuals. There is so much more research needed to fully understand the relationship between Autism and ADHD. Listed below is a list of ADHD and Autism traits, and the wide overlapping of both conditions.

ADHD	OVERLAP	AUTISM
Seek Novelty: Motivated by new and exciting experiences*	Stimming and fidgeting	Seeks Familiarity: Finds comfort in repetitive behaviors and routines.
Attention Regulation: Persistent trouble focusing, except when highly interested.	Sensory differences	Preference for Routine: Adheres to routines for comfort and predictability.
Difficulty with Social Cues: Challenges with focus and attention can cause missing social cues or impulsivity can lead to disregarding them.	Impulse control difficulties	Difficulty with Allistic Social Cues: Brain doesn’t subcortically process social cues requiring prefrontal cortex analysis and decoding
Interest-Based System: Motivation and focus driven by personal interests.	Higher rates of substance abuse, suicidality, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar and OCD	Monotropism:  Tendency to focus intensely on a single interest or activity.
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Restlessness and difficulty regulating impulses*	ND communication patterns (info-dumping, connecting over shared interest, story swapping)	Need for Verbal Context: Benefits from clear, detailed verbal explanations and context.
	Executive functioning difficulties
ADHD combined and hyperactive type*	Increased risk of victimization
	Divergent thought patterns
	Special interests & passions
	Task-switching difficulties
	Neurodivergent masking
	Eye contact differences
	Social differences
	Passionate focus

Closing Statement:

I hope this article sheds some light to everyone about ADHD & Autism (AuDHD), and the many overlaps that exists. If you suffer from depression and anxiety like I do, many times all your conditions do overlap and will mimic each other making it very difficult to know what can be bothering or effecting you on a specific day, or how others might perceive/accept you on any given day. 

Source of information: Various Google Searches, Publications, Personal Experiences and Opinions

Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!