Can you have both autism and ADHD as an adult?
Yes, you can absolutely have both autism and ADHD as an adult. This co-occurrence is so common that the community often uses the term AuDHD to describe it. While medical guidelines previously prevented doctors from diagnosing both at the same time, those rules changed in 2013. Today, research suggests that a significant number of people on the autism spectrum also meet the criteria for ADHD, and vice versa. Being neurodivergent in both ways creates a unique experience where two different sets of traits overlap.
Living with both conditions often feels like a constant internal tug-of-war. The autistic part of your brain might crave routine, deep focus, and predictable schedules, while the ADHD part of your brain thrives on novelty, spontaneity, and high-energy stimulation. This can be confusing because the traits often mask one another; for example, your need for order might be constantly interrupted by ADHD forgetfulness. Many adults only realize they are AuDHD when they try to treat one condition and find that the traits of the other become much more obvious and "unmasked."
If you feel like your brain is constantly arguing with itself, you aren't "broken"—you might just be navigating the specific challenges of an AuDHD life. Understanding how these two worlds collide is the best way to start making life feel a little easier. To read more about finding balance in the middle of the overlap, sign up for the free Life on Hard Mode newsletter below.