Do You Have Autism or ADHD (or Both)? Understanding the Overlap and Differences

 

Hey everyone, welcome back to the channel! Today, we’re diving into a topic I know SO many of you have asked me about — Do I have autism, ADHD, or maybe even both?

Maybe you’ve been wondering why you struggle to focus, why social situations leave you feeling drained, or why you seem extra sensitive to sounds, lights, or textures. Maybe you’ve even wondered, Why do I feel so different from other people?

Well, today we’re going to break it all down. We’ll look at the similarities, the differences, AND the overlap between autism and ADHD — and hopefully help you gain some clarity about yourself or someone you care about.”

Alright, first up — let’s get clear on what we’re even talking about here.

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, is what we call a neurodevelopmental condition. That means it’s not a disease or something you catch — it’s a difference in how your brain is wired, and it’s there from birth. Autism affects how you experience and process the world, especially when it comes to things like social interactions, communication, sensory input, and repetitive patterns or routines.

You might notice that autistic people often prefer predictability, have strong interests or passions, and process sensory input, like lights, sounds, or textures, much more intensely than non-autistic people.

Now, ADHD — Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder — is also a neurodevelopmental condition. But ADHD’s key feature is differences in attention, focus, impulse control, and executive function — basically, how you plan, organize, and manage tasks. ADHD can show up as hyperactivity, restlessness, or even just a constantly racing mind.

So, right away, we’ve got two brain types that both process the world differently — but they show up in really interesting, sometimes overlapping ways.”

Here’s where it gets really fascinating — research has found that a LOT of people meet criteria for both autism and ADHD. In fact, up to 50–70% of autistic people show ADHD symptoms, and a significant number of people with ADHD show traits related to autism.

Why is there so much overlap? Well, both conditions affect something called executive function. That’s the part of your brain that helps you manage time, plan ahead, switch between tasks, and regulate your emotions.

Let me give you a few clear examples:

Both autistic and ADHD people can hyperfocus on things they love — they can spend hours deeply immersed in a hobby or topic, sometimes losing track of time or other responsibilities.

Both might struggle with social situations, but for slightly different reasons. For someone autistic, it might be about difficulty reading social cues, understanding unspoken rules, or feeling overwhelmed by too much sensory input. For someone with ADHD, it might be impulsivity — interrupting others, talking too much, or zoning out during conversations.

Both can have sensory issues, but again, they show up differently. An autistic person might be overwhelmed by bright lights or loud noises, while someone with ADHD might seek out stimulation — fidgeting, tapping, or moving constantly just to feel regulated.”

So, how do you know if you might be autistic?

Here are some signs to look for:

You often feel like you’re ‘masking’ — pretending to be someone you’re not, especially in social settings. You watch others and copy what they do just to fit in.

You prefer routines and predictability. Sudden changes can throw you off or cause anxiety.

Social interactions drain you, or they feel confusing. You might replay conversations over and over, wondering if you missed something.

You have super intense interests or hobbies you can spend hours on, diving deep into details others might not even notice.

You’re sensitive to lights, sounds, textures, or smells — maybe you can’t stand certain fabrics or the hum of fluorescent lights.

What’s really important here is that a lot of autistic adults went undiagnosed as kids, especially if they were girls or if they learned to ‘mask’ their struggles. Many grew up just thinking they were shy, awkward, or a little ‘quirky’ — but they’ve been carrying these differences their whole life.”

Now, what about ADHD? Here’s what ADHD might look like in daily life:

You have trouble focusing, especially on boring or repetitive tasks. You might zone out in meetings, lectures, or conversations.

You jump between projects or hobbies, starting a bunch but finishing only a few — the initial excitement wears off fast.

You’re often late, you procrastinate, or you forget appointments and deadlines, no matter how hard you try.

You feel restless or fidgety, like you always need to be moving, tapping, or bouncing your leg.

You experience emotional swings — you might get frustrated or overwhelmed quickly, but also bounce back just as fast.

And remember: ADHD isn’t just about hyperactivity. In fact, a lot of adults, especially women, have what’s called the inattentive type, which looks more like daydreaming, zoning out, or internal restlessness rather than visible hyperactivity.”

“And here’s the kicker: You can absolutely have both.

For years, the diagnostic manuals didn’t allow clinicians to officially diagnose autism and ADHD together — they had to pick just one, which left a LOT of people undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Thankfully, that’s changing now.

Having both might mean:

You crave routines (autism) but constantly break them or forget them (ADHD).

You hyperfocus on topics you love (both), but also bounce between interests or struggle to stay organized.

You face social challenges not just because you miss cues (autism) but also because you interrupt or act impulsively (ADHD).

You experience both sensory overload and sensory-seeking behaviors, like feeling overwhelmed in a noisy room, but also needing to fidget or move constantly.

If this sounds like you, you are not alone.”

So, if you’re listening right now and thinking, Whoa, this sounds like me…, here’s what you can do next:

1. Start journaling or tracking your patterns. Where do you struggle most? Where do you shine? Writing it down can help you see the bigger picture.

2 Learn from other autistic or ADHD adults — there’s a huge, supportive online community sharing their stories, tips, and lived experiences.

3. Consider seeking a professional evaluation if you want formal clarity. An official diagnosis can open up access to supports, but even without it, self-understanding matters.

4 And remember, you can start making adjustments right now to support your brain. That might mean using planners or reminders, using sensory tools like noise-canceling headphones or fidget items, or simply giving yourself more self-compassion.”

“Alright, friends, that’s it for today’s video!

If you found this helpful, go ahead and hit that like button, subscribe for more neurodivergent-friendly content, and drop a comment below — do you relate more to ADHD, autism, or maybe both? I’d love to hear your thoughts, your experiences, and your questions.

Thanks so much for watching, and remember: you are not broken — you’re just wired differently. And that’s something to be celebrated. See you next time!”