What Is AuDHD?

What Is AuDHD?
Written By Robert Davie

Introduction

In this research summary, we provide a brief overview of several key concepts in AuDHD. These include:

  • What is AuDHD?

  • What traits are associated with AuDHD?

  • How common is AuDHD?

  • Late diagnoses with AuDHD

What is AuDHD?

The topic of neurodiversity contains a wide range of vocabulary, and this might be the first time you have come across the term AuDHD, so what is it?

AuDHD is more common than you might realise; around 50% of people with autism could fit the definition of AuDHD. The term AuDHD helps individuals describe their experiences as having both autistic and ADHD traits, which is both validating and also helps them gain a better understanding of themselves. 

Autism and ADHD were previously considered separate and opposing conditions; where having one automatically ruled out the possibility of having the other. Previous assessment pathways prevented a dual diagnosis, however this was recently changed. Today’s attitudes are much different, with growing numbers of experts identifying the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD and adopting the term AuDHD to reflect this, although support for this diagnosis is still somewhat divided in the NHS. However, attitudes are changing fast and the term AuDHD has become increasingly common in the UK over the past years.

Common Neurodivergent Traits

AuDHD traits can be broadly broken down into three types: autism-like traits, ADHD-like traits and traits which appear both in ADHD and autism. Below is a non-exhaustive list of what possible traits someone with AuDHD might experience:

Common Autistic Traits:

  • Difficulties with communication, especially non-verbal communication

  • Difficulty socialising; including making friends

  • Preference for routine and predictability

  • Literal understanding

  • Stimming (repetitive behaviours)

Common ADHD Traits:

  • Difficulty regulating attention

  • Easily distracted

  • Mental and/or physical restlessness including fidgeting and excessive talking

  • Impulsivity

  • Difficulty planning ahead

Shared Autistic/ADHD Traits

  • Struggling with indirect or abstract communication

  • Masking/difficulty adhering to social norms

  • Hyperfocus and special interests; where individuals have a high level of focus for their special interest

  • Sensory sensitivity

  • Difficulty regulating emotions

Common AuDHD specific experiences include:

  • Contradictory needs; such as needing a strict routine but finding it hard to stick to it.

  • Burnout from having to manage the opposing traits, which might manifest as: fatigue, loss of motivation, anxiety, depression, emotional numbness

Autistic and ADHD traits often present differently in females than in males. Neurodivergent traits in females often present as a silent struggle; where they more commonly exhibit anxiety, perfectionism and masking in social settings and are frequent causes of burnout. Due to this, females are also likely to face a longer road to official diagnosis, which suggests they are likely underrepresented within the AuDHD community.

As AuDHDers share both sets of traits, this can be quite confusing for those who fit this description. 

Their combination of traits can lead to challenges such as increased anxiety which may need additional support. It is important to remember, however, no two experiences of AuDHD are identical. 

How Common is AuDHD?

The approximate prevalence of neurodiverse diagnoses in the UK are:

  • Autism: 0.9%

  • ADHD: 4%

  • AuDHD: unknown, however likely around ~0.36%

The prevalence of AuDHD is unknown, with no official estimates for the UK. The AuDHD estimate above is likely to be an underestimation as there is uncertainty about how common both autism and ADHD are. Other countries such as the US have produced their own estimates of around 0.06%, but this is due to autism diagnoses being lower compared to the UK. 

Late Diagnosis

A late AuDHD diagnosis is common, as the mixture of traits may lead to individuals receiving

  • a single diagnosis first (autism is commonly diagnosed first as it can be more obvious from a younger age)

  • a mental health diagnosis instead

  • or having no definitive diagnosis at all. 

This can lead to AuDHDers experiencing strong self-criticism as they struggle fitting into neurotypical boxes. Conversely, it has also been reported that AuDHDers receiving medication for ADHD has led to unmasking traits of autism, finally leading to an AuDHD diagnosis. 

Late diagnosis can contribute to the feeling of a ‘lifetime struggle’ and as we mentioned before, is more common in females as they are more likely to mask their symptoms. 

Conclusion

  • AuDHD is the co-occurrence of autistic and ADHD traits. Awareness for AuDHD is growing rapidly. 

  • AuDHD traits vary widely, however, it is common for AuDHDers to ‘see-saw’ between autistic and ADHD traits and may face intense burn-out trying to support these conflicting needs. 

  • The approximate prevalence of AuDHD in the UK is around 0.36%, however this number is likely a significant underestimation. Around half of autistic adults meet the criteria for AuDHD.

  • Late diagnosis of AuDHD is common due to the complex nature of diagnosing both autism and ADHD at the same time. 

At AuDHD UK, we are committed to supporting all neurodivergent adults, whether identifying as autistic, ADHD or AuDHD. 

 Reach out to us today at hello@audhduk.org to see how we can help.

References

1. Potts B, Skelton E, Pavlopoulou G, Karaminis T, Malamateniou C. The A3ReAcH (Autistic, ADHD and AuDHD research accessibility in healthcare) framework: Principles for inclusive healthcare research with autistic, ADHD and AuDHD individuals in radiography and medical radiation technology. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2025;56(5):102009. doi:10.1016/j.jmir.2025.102009

2. Taurines R, Schwenck C, Westerwald E, Sachse M, Siniatchkin M, Freitag C. ADHD and autism: differential diagnosis or overlapping traits? A selective review. Atten Defic Hyperact Disord. 2012;4(3):115-139. doi:10.1007/S12402-012-0086-2

3. Boyle S. The sudden rise of AuDHD: what is behind the rocketing rates of this life-changing diagnosis? | Health & wellbeing | The Guardian. The Guardian. April 4, 2024. Accessed May 18, 2026. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/04/audhd-what-is-behind-rocketing-rates-life-changing-diagnosis

4. Melville A. What is AuDHD? Understanding Autism & ADHD Together. London Psychiatry Clinic. May 18, 2026. Accessed May 18, 2026. https://www.londonpsychiatry.clinic/blog/audhd-explained

5. Supporting Students with Co-Occurring Autism and ADHD (AuDHD): A Guide for Disability Officers. 2025. Accessed May 27, 2026. https://www.tcd.ie/media/tcd/disability/AuADHD-Booklet-25th-Anniversary-Final-(1).pdf

6. Chapter 10: Autism spectrum disorder. NHS England Digital. November 29, 2025. Accessed May 18, 2026. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/adult-psychiatric-morbidity-survey/survey-of-mental-health-and-wellbeing-england-2023-24/autism-spectrum-disorder#10-4-discussion

8. Zaleski AL, Craig KJT, Khan R, et al. Real-world evaluation of prevalence, cohort characteristics, and healthcare utilization and expenditures among adults and children with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or both. BMC Health Serv Res. 2025;25(1):1048. doi:10.1186/S12913-025-13296-2

9. May T. AuDHD means being autistic and having ADHD. And it can look very different to a single diagnosis. Jackson-Webb F, ed. The Conversation. Published online April 19, 2026. doi:10.64628/AA.XNVMUXX55

10. Craddock E. Being a Woman Is 100% Significant to My Experiences of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism: Exploring the Gendered Implications of an Adulthood Combined Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis. Qual Health Res. 2024;34(14):1442. doi:10.1177/10497323241253412

Robert Davie
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