Are Autism and ADHD the same thing?
- Sounderic
- 5 days ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a parent Googling, “Is my child Autistic or ADHD? Or both? Or something else entirely?”—you are not alone.
Every week, parents tell us some version of:
“He doesn’t sit still—ADHD, right?”
“She avoids eye contact—must be Autism?”
“He talks nonstop but doesn’t actually answer anything… what is that?”
“Everyone around me has a different opinion. I’m exhausted.”
And honestly, we get it. Autism and ADHD sometimes look like siblings: they borrow each other’s clothes, confuse everyone, and show up to the party with similar behaviors. But here’s the truth—they are not the same condition.
And we also have adults asking us:
"My room is always a mess! Are my challenges with organizing and planning associated with Autism or ADHD?"
Some tell me "I am very impulsive, I fail to close drawers, constantly feel restless, interrupt people, or always looking for my keys, phone, or credit cards. Is it my Autism or ADHD? "
Many Autistic individuals are getting diagnosed with ADHD and vice versa. The discussions happening amongst the community are whether the two conditions are the same. The idea that Autism and ADHD are intrinsically linked comes not just from their frequent co-occurrence, but also because they share the same symptoms.
The core diagnostic criteria for the conditions remain distinct in the DSM-5:
"Social communication impairments plus restricted and repetitive behaviors for Autism;" and
"Inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity, or a combination, for ADHD."
But both conditions can have overlapping challenges like sensory processing difficulty, social awkwardness, difficulty with emotional regulation, a delay in speech and language development, and difficulty with planning and impulsivity.
So… What Is Autism Really?
Think of Autism as a different way of experiencing the world—especially the social and sensory world.
The typical definition of Autism is, " A complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. "
Kids with Autism often:
Struggle to understand how to start a conversation
Prefer predictable routines
Miss social cues others pick up naturally
Get overwhelmed by sounds, textures, lights
Have intense interests (the kind where you think, “Is this kid doing a PhD on dinosaurs?”)
Parents often notice signs early. Sometimes as early as 18–24 months. We’ve seen kids who learn nursery rhymes before they learn “Mama,” and others who talk beautifully but don’t quite know how to talk with someone.
It’s not bad. It’s not wrong. It’s simply different wiring.
And What About ADHD?
ADHD is more about the brain’s attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation systems. ADHD also known as "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development."
Kids with ADHD often:
Know what to do… but their brain forgets to send the memo on time
Start doing homework, then suddenly it’s time to build a rocket
Talk 150 words per minute
Get frustrated quickly
Remember the lyrics of a song from 2017 but forget their shoes
And here’s the interesting thing: Kids with ADHD usually understand social cues. They just… step on them sometimes. Not on purpose. Just impulsively.
So Why Do Autism and ADHD Look So Similar?
Because behaviors overlap.
For example:
Not listening
Tantrums
Running away from tasks
Getting overstimulated
Difficulty socializing
Repetitive movements
Not following instructions
Sensory overload
This is where parents often look at us and say: “So it’s ADHD then?” Or “So it’s Autism?”
But those behaviors are the symptoms. What matters is the reason behind them.
A child with Autism might avoid a birthday party because the noise is overwhelming. A child with ADHD might avoid it simply because they’re bored after 3 minutes.
Both avoid the party. But the why is totally different.
Autism vs. ADHD: The Real Differences Parents Notice
Here are the differences we hear parents describe again and again:
1. Social Connection
Autism: “He’s loving, but it feels like he lives in his own bubble sometimes.”
ADHD: “She wants to make friends but keeps interrupting, and kids get annoyed.”
2. Eye Contact
Autism: often inconsistent, especially during communication
ADHD: eye contact is fine… until something more interesting happens
3. Communication
Autism: Delayed speech, literal understanding, flat tone, difficulty with back-and-forth conversation
ADHD: Talks quickly, jumps between ideas, blurts things out, forgets to wait
4. Routines
Autism: needs sameness
ADHD: wants novelty
5. Play Style
Autism: may line up toys or prefer solo play
ADHD: jumps between toys every 30 seconds
6. Sensory Needs
Autism: central to the diagnosis
ADHD: present in many kids, but not core
Can a Child Have Both Autism and ADHD?
(Short answer: Yes. And it can be confusing.)
Some kids:
move constantly
avoid eye contact
get overwhelmed easily
interrupt others
have delayed speech
struggle with routines
have big emotions
These kids often need a combined approach. And honestly? When the right support comes in, these children blossom beautifully.
What makes the biggest difference is understanding the pattern, not forcing a label.
How Do You Actually Know What Your Child Has?
A proper evaluation looks at:
Speech & language
Social communication
Play
Sensory profile
Emotional regulation
Attention
Parent questionnaires
Observations
Developmental history
A lot of parents tell us they waited because they didn’t want their child “labelled.”But here’s a reality-based thought:
A label doesn’t define a child. It just helps adults understand how to support them better.
Why do you think so many parents hesitate to seek evaluation?
Sometimes exploring your thought process helps us guide you better.
Understanding the Genetics: What the research says
There are many research studies being conducted to understand the relationship between Autism and ADHD.
It is estimated that between 22-83% of Autistic children meet the criteria for ADHD (Sokolova et al., 2017). Approximately 30-65% of ADHD children have significant Autistic traits Sokolova et al., 2017.
While co-occurrence is common, it is also common to see elevated ADHD traits within Autistics or elevated Autistic traits for the ADHDer. A person may not meet the criteria of both and yet still have significant trait overlap. I suspect that “pure ADHD” or “pure Autism” is the exception, not the norm.
An estimated 30 to 80 percent of children with Autism also meet the criteria for ADHD and, conversely, 20 to 50 percent of children with ADHD for Autism.
Autism and ADHD Overlap
"There are various hypotheses regarding this common co-occurrence. Leitner et al., 2014 hypothesize that they share a common genetic etiology. "
Most individuals with ADHD also have at least one other condition, such as anxiety, mood, conduct or language disorders.
Up to 75 per cent of people with ASD also have attention deficits or hyperactivity.
"A lot of these associated problems probably arise from the fact that they are sharing genetic risk for different conditions," says Schachar.
This hypothesis is supported by twin studies that suggest a substantial genetic overlap (approximately a 50-72% overlap). This theory suggests genetics explain why ADHD/Autism commonly co-occur within individuals and families at such high rates (Leitner et al., 2014; Rommelse et al., 2010).
Furthermore, evidence points to a strong neurobiological overlap. Sokolova et al., 2017 suggest biological pathways involved in attentional control (inattention and task switching difficulty) may be a key factor in understanding the genetic overlap between these conditions.
Trait Overlap
ADHD and Autism, classified as Neurodevelopmental conditions, impact how the brain processes sensory input and cognitive processes. Both impact executive functioning, attention processes, and sensory processing. Following are some of the trait overlaps.
Executive Functioning Difficulties
Executive functioning challenges are core features of both ADHD and Autism. Challenges may include difficulty organizing tasks, object permeance, memory, focus, decision-making, and regulating attention.
Social Difficulties
Both groups often struggle with picking up social cues but often for different reasons. For the ADHDer, this may be related to inattention and impulsivity. For the Autistic, it is more often related to difficulties with intuitively picking up on social cues/body language/understanding subtext, and difficulty with task switching (social communication involves considering multiple tasks at one time).
Interoception Issues
Interoception, the “8th sensory system,” refers to the ability to sense internal signals. Interoception is integral to the ability to regulate emotions. A person with poor interoception will have more difficulty registering and responding flexibly to their internal states and emotions. There is research to suggest that both ADHDers and Autistics struggle with interoception at higher rates than the general public.
Time perception
Partly associated with interoception, ADHD and Autistics often have an altered perception of time, sometimes referred to as “time-blindness” (Carmelo et al., 2020).
Hyperactivity/Repetitive Movement (Stimming)
Stimming (repetitive movement) to regulate is common among both Autistic people and ADHDers. Further, ADHD fidgeting can look a lot like stimming seen in the context of Autism.
Emotional Regulation
Due to various factors such as brain circuitry (more sensitive amygdalas), interoception issues, more rigid nervous systems, and sensory processing, both ADHDers and Autistics can struggle with regulating and soothing intense emotions.
Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions
According to a study done in Saudi Arabia, the frequent co-existence of ADHD and ASD increases the likelihood of the manifestation of other disorders, such as bipolar disorder, sleep problems, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which lead to severe impacts on an individual’s life quality (Mariani and Levin, 2007).
Both groups have an elevated risk of having co-occurring mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. According to one study, 79% of Autistics met the criteria for a co-occurring psychiatric condition at least once in their life (Lever and Geurts).
There is a lot of overlap in the symptoms observed in Autism and ADHD. Sometimes, it is hard to distinguish between the two. This increases the chance of a misdiagnosis.
Some individuals who were earlier diagnosed with ADHD because of the inability to pay attention or focus on tasks, did not see any changes with the medication. On the contrary, they felt sick. They were later diagnosed with Autism.
In both conditions, individuals have varying degrees of executive dysfunction, social challenges, sensory processing difficulties, and other comorbid disorders.
People who have traits that stretch across both Autism and ADHD diagnoses often face more serious challenges than people with either diagnosis alone. They can have greater impairments in adaptive functioning, a term that refers to self-care and daily living skills, and more severe social and cognitive issues.
In 2013, with the debut of the current “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), did a dual diagnosis become permissible. DSM V now allows a person to be diagnosed with both Autism and ADHD.
What Does Therapy Look Like? (And What Actually Helps)
Speech Therapy
Especially helpful for:
Delayed speech
Social communication
Conversation skills
Understanding emotions
Play skills
Parents often tell us,“He started opening up after just a few weeks. I didn’t realize he understood so much.”
Occupational Therapy
Supports:
Sensory needs
Emotional regulation
Fine motor skills
Focus and planning
Routines
OT is a game-changer for both Autism and ADHD.
Parental Coaching / Behavior Therapy
We help parents:
Handle meltdowns
Build emotional safety
Create routines
Improve flexibility
Reduce power struggles
Sometimes, supporting the parent changes a child’s progress faster than any worksheet.
What’s the Prognosis?
With early support, both conditions show strong progress:
ADHD: improved attention, better impulse control, stronger emotional regulation
Autism: big gains in language, social understanding, independence
And here’s a hopeful truth: Most children learn beautifully when we meet them where they are instead of where we expect them to be.
FAQs: Autism vs ADHD — What Parents Ask Us the Most
1. Are Autism and ADHD the same disorder?
No, they aren’t. They just look like cousins at a family function — similar enough to confuse everyone but very different once you actually get to know them. Autism affects social communication and sensory processing, while ADHD is more about attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
2. Can a person have both Autism and ADHD?
Yes — and many do. In fact, research shows a pretty high overlap. Parents often tell us, “My child is sensitive, social, distracted, rigid, emotional, curious, and impulsive… all at once.” A combined diagnosis simply means the child’s brain uses a more unique playbook, not that anything is “wrong.”
3. What symptoms do Autism and ADHD share?
Quite a few:
Difficulty focusing
Sensory overload
Emotional ups and downs
Trouble with social interactions
Impulsivity
Challenges with routines
The tricky part is that the behavior can look similar, but the reason behind the behavior is often different. That’s where a good assessment helps.
4. How are Autism and ADHD diagnosed differently?
Autism assessments focus on social communication, play, sensory responses, and developmental patterns. ADHD assessments look more at attention, impulse control, hyperactivity, and emotional regulation.
Both include observations, questionnaires, developmental history, and input from caregivers and teachers. And honestly? The right clinician doesn’t just tick boxes — they try to understand your child as a whole human.
5. Why do some people get misdiagnosed?
Because behaviors overlap, and kids don’t always present like the textbooks say they will. For example:
A child avoiding eye contact could be autistic… or just shy.
A child who “never listens” could have ADHD… or simply be bored.
Sometimes parents are told “he’ll outgrow it,” and sometimes symptoms get dismissed as personality. Misdiagnosis usually happens when we look at behaviors, not the why behind them.
6. Are there differences in treatment for Autism and ADHD?
Yes, though there’s some overlap.
Autism: speech therapy, OT, social communication support, sensory integration, parent coaching
ADHD: behavior therapy, OT for regulation, executive functioning support, sometimes medication
But treatment is always personalized. What works beautifully for one child may not work for another — and that’s okay.
7. Is it true that Autism and ADHD have common genetic roots?
There’s growing evidence suggesting they share some genetic links. You could think of it like two branches growing from the same tree — connected but not identical. This genetic overlap is one reason co-occurrence is common.
8. Do all people with Autism also have ADHD, or vice versa?
No. Many autistic individuals don’t have ADHD. Many people with ADHD don’t have autism. They can overlap, but they aren’t automatically paired. It’s like having siblings — some get along, some don’t, and some live totally separate lives.
9. Can Autism or ADHD be “outgrown”?
Neither condition is something you “grow out of.” But children absolutely grow with it — they learn skills, strategies, coping tools, communication, emotional regulation, and social understanding. Many teens and adults function beautifully once they get the right support early on.
10. Why is it important to get an accurate diagnosis?
Because the right diagnosis leads to the right support. Without clarity, kids often get misunderstood, punished for behaviors they can’t control, or labeled as “stubborn,” “lazy,” or “naughty.”A diagnosis doesn’t define a child — it helps adults understand them and meet their needs with compassion and competence.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably sorting through a mix of questions, worries, and maybe even a few “This finally makes sense” moments. And honestly, you don’t have to figure all of this out alone.
If you’re wondering whether your child’s traits point toward Autism, ADHD, both, or something else entirely, our team at Sounderic can help you untangle it with clarity and compassion. We take the time to understand the why behind behaviors, not just the labels, so families feel supported instead of overwhelmed.
If you’re ready for guidance that feels human, thoughtful, and genuinely invested in your child’s growth, reach out to us—we’d be glad to walk this journey with you.
