Understanding the complex interplay between ADHD and Autism. It is not uncommon for individuals with ADHD to have traits of autism or vice versa or for both conditions to co-exist.
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ADHD is present in 30–80% of individuals with Autism and Autism presents in 20–50% of individuals with ADHD. These statistics highlight the frequent association between the two conditions.
Understanding the interplay between Autism and ADHD is crucial, as it is crucial to have an explanation and understanding of your experiences in life and how to manage moving forward.
Hyperfocus and hyperfixation are phenomena often observed in individuals with ADHD and Autism, respectively. Both involve intense concentration on a particular activity or subject, but they have distinct characteristics, triggers and durations. We recognise how to identify and contrast hyperfocus and hyperfixation, exploring their definitions, causes, effects and management strategies and how they may co-present.
Individuals with ADHD and Autism can face challenges in initiating and sustaining interactions with others. Both may unintentionally cause offence, have issues with eye contact and non verbal communications, leading to social isolation and loneliness. Understanding these challenges is key to providing effective support.
Individuals with AuDHD often experience heightened sensory issues due to the combination of traits from both conditions. Sensory overstimulation can be more intense for AuDHD individuals compared to those with only Autism or ADHD. The autistic trait of being detail-oriented can make every sensory input, like sounds, lights, or textures, extremely noticeable and often overwhelming. At the same time, ADHD-related attentional differences can make it difficult to filter out these sensory inputs, leading to a constant bombardment of stimuli. This dual impact can cause significant discomfort, distraction, and anxiety, making it challenging to focus on tasks or engage in social interactions.
Assessing the difference between ADHD and Autism routines involves observing specific needs and responses to routine structures. ADHD routines focus on managing time, flexibility, breaking tasks into steps and incorporating physical activity. Autism routines prioritise predictability, consistency, structure, visual schedules and minimising sensory overload. Evaluation includes monitoring how individuals adapt to these strategies and identifying which approaches enhance their daily functioning and reduce stress.
Repetitive body movements are a characteristic of autism, although not all autistic individuals will exhibit them. Examples include jumping, hand-flapping, finger-wiggling, body-tensing, and rocking. Similarly, individuals with ADHD often engage in repetitive movements, known as fidgety behaviours, such as finger-tapping, leg-shaking, hair-twirling, object-picking and torso-rocking. Both conditions can involve these movements, though they may stem from different underlying needs and sensory experiences. Understanding these behaviours is essential for providing appropriate support and creating accommodating environments for individuals with autism and ADHD.
Empathy issues in ADHD involve rapid, intense emotional reactions and difficulty recognizing social cues, leading to impulsive responses. Autism-related empathy issues include challenges in understanding social cues and varied emotional responses, from overwhelming emotions to detachment. Both conditions result in social misunderstandings and difficulties in forming stable relationships due to empathic imbalances.
OCD overlaps or mimics ADHD and autism in several ways:
Repetitive behaviours: Both OCD and autism involve repetitive actions or rituals. In autism, these are often routines or self-soothing behaviours, while in OCD, they are compulsions driven by anxiety.
Focus and attention: In ADHD, distractibility and trouble focusing are key traits. OCD can mimic this, as obsessive thoughts distract from tasks, creating a sense of inattention.
Rigidity and inflexibility: Autism is characterised by rigid thinking and difficulty with change, which can look similar to OCD's compulsive need for order or routines.
Anxiety: Both OCD and autism often involve heightened anxiety, and this emotional distress may cause behaviours that resemble ADHD’s impulsivity or inattentiveness.
Overall, OCD can share symptoms with both ADHD and autism, making it difficult to distinguish without a detailed assessment.
It is essential to view ADHD and Autism through the lens of neurodiversity and avoid diagnostic bias, considering both conditions to provide accurate diagnosis and support.
Feel alienated and struggle with social interactions, leading to difficulties in forming and maintaining friendships, leading to isolation.
Emotional symptoms include uncontrolled anger, mood swings, sensitivity to perceived criticism and emotional difficulties which can be debilitating.
Adult females with ASD report higher sensory sensitivities and can struggle to recognise and express what they experience and how they feel.
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Sanctum have curated our AuDHD pathway based on the latest research and scientific evidence
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All the features of the Autism and platinum ADHD package providing comprehensive assessment of how your brain functions optimally.
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The ultimate pathway to understanding brain health function in neurodivergent females with hormonal impact and physical health overlap causing delays in diagnosis.
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Our combined assessments incorporate all the fundamental elements of the ADHD and Autism assessment pathways providing comprehensive understanding of how you function.
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Our combined assessments incorporate all the fundamental elements of the ADHD and Autism assessment pathways providing comprehensive understanding of how you function.
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Analysis includes evaluating social interaction, sensory sensitivities, attention issues, emotional regulation, organisation skills, masking behaviours and impact of puberty and hormones.
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Offers insights into social skills, sensory sensitivities, organisation, emotional regulation, and the challenges of increasing independence in adolescent females.
Prior to your reviews, you’ll complete a series of comprehensive online health assessment forms so we can tailor the assessment to your needs and fully understand Autism and ADHD symptoms
Get In TouchA review of your health assessment and symptoms. This is a crucial time to share your thoughts, concerns and experiences with ADHD or autism symptoms to help build any additional steps and follow-ups that may be required.
Get In TouchWe will break down the process to make it easier for you in 2-3 stages. We will conduct diagnostic interviews, feedback of results and next steps discussion.
Get In TouchThe next steps are an important part of the journey. Your specialist review will uncover options that will help you understand your underlying challenges and empower you to make an informed choice regarding your next steps.
Get In TouchWe will talk about how we incorporate our Brain Health management plan which incorporates a 360 degree approach.
Get In TouchAuDHD, a term coined by the neurodivergent community, represents the coexistence of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It highlights the interconnected nature of these conditions, recognising the unique neurological profiles of individuals who exhibit traits of both autism and ADHD.
Research indicates a substantial overlap between autism and ADHD, with 50% to 70% of autistic individuals also meeting the criteria for ADHD. This high prevalence underscores the need to understand and support the coexistence of these conditions.
While AuDHD is not yet formally recognized in clinical settings, it has gained popularity as a way for individuals to articulate their experiences and the interconnected nature of autism and ADHD. It serves as a valuable framework for understanding and supporting neurodiversity. If identified, a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism is made.
I cannot thank Sanctum enough! The whole process was Professionally carried out from my first enquiry to my diagnosis. The team were informative and guided myself and my partner in a sensitive and understanding manner throughout the whole process.
It took less than 30 days for a diagnosis, without this and the treatment received I have no idea where we would be now. I would highly recommend, all the staff are lovely and truly helped us. Thank you all so much.
Sanctum healthcare have been exceptional in the service and care provided, they are professional, friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly understanding. They went above and beyond to ensure I felt heard, the diagnosis process was extremely thorough, and I was offered a clear treatment plan.
Take the first step towards understanding and addressing your needs – schedule your assessment with Sanctum Healthcare today.
Sanctum has been established since 2019 and is led by our founder Dr Raffi who has experience spanning over 2 decades. Neurodiversity isn't just a job for us, it's our passion.
We don't just give you the answer, we don't just show you the working out, we educate you so that you are empowered to manage yourself in the longer term and aren't reliant on services.
We have read every book and piece of research and have years of clinical experience, but what gives us the true badge of expert is being neurodiverse ourselves or as parents of neurodiverse children.
We offer specialised care for a variety of Brain Health issues such as ADHD, Autism & addictive behaviours at our clinic in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Our team offer appointments via phone, video call and face to face.
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