About Autism and ADHD (AuDHD)
- adhdcoachabigail
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
Many of my clients are often taken aback when they hear during their assessment that they might be autistic in addition to being ADHD. This reaction is completely understandable, especially considering how Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is portrayed in the media, which can sometimes feel so far removed from the reality of neurodivergence. Just like ADHD, ASD represents a different way our brains function, and research suggests that as many as 80% of individuals with ASD may also experience symptoms of ADHD (1-3).
If you're exploring an ADHD diagnosis or already have one and feel like something is still missing, it might be worthwhile to look into ASD as well. To help with this, I want to share a valuable resource: a charity called Embrace Autism. They offer a range of free tests, and I’ve included links to two that I find particularly helpful: the Autism Quotient Test and the Camouflaging Test. The Camouflaging Test, in particular, can shed light on how much you might be masking or altering your behaviour to fit in, which is so common for those of us in the neurodivergent community.
Taking these tests can serve as a helpful starting point for a conversation with your family or healthcare provider about your experiences and challenges, and whether you’d like to pursue further evaluation for ASD. Remember, being neurodivergent is not a negative trait; it’s simply a reflection of how your brain works. Understanding this can pave the way for building a fulfilling life that resonates with who you truly are.
If you ever feel the need to talk or explore how to navigate your neurodivergence, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me for a free 30-minute session. You deserve support, and I’m here to help you make your unique brain work for you.
Autism quotient:
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a self-administered questionnaire used to measure autistic traits in adults (age 16+)
Masking assessment
:
The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a self-report measure of social camouflaging behaviours in adults. It may be used to identify autistic individuals who do not currently meet diagnostic criteria due to their ability to mask their autistic traits.
Leitner, Y. (2014). “The Co-Occurrence of Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children – What Do We Know?” This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the prevalence and implications of co-occurring ADHD and autism in children. It is published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience and is available [here].
Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Charman, T., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., & Baird, G. (2008). “Psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders: Prevalence, comorbidity, and associated factors in a population-derived sample.” This study provides prevalence rates of ADHD among children with autism and is published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The full text can be accessed [here].
Antshel, K. M., Zhang-James, Y., Wagner, K. E., Ledesma, A., & Faraone, S. V. (2016). “An update on the comorbidity of ADHD and ASD: A focus on clinical management.” This article discusses the comorbidity of ADHD and autism and its clinical implications, published in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. The article is available [here].
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