What Is ADHD and Autism: Know the Key Difference
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism are closely related but very different. Understanding the difference between ADHD and autism gives individuals, families and carers the chance for accurate diagnosis, informed treatment and specific support options.
This blog examines the details of the ADHD vs autism territory by examining prevalence, overlaps, diagnosis and care.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is characterised by ongoing patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impact everyday functioning. There are three subtypes of ADHD:
- Inattentive: Persistently failing to focus, forgetful about daily activities and poor organisation.
- Hyperactive-Impulsive: Excessively high motor activity, acting impulsively, difficulty being calm in situations requiring stillness
- Combined: Symptoms of both of the previous subtypes
Symptoms usually present during early school age and continue into adolescence and adulthood. Increased awareness and diagnosis of ADHD have emerged in the past few years in India.
Children with ADHD often have co-occurring conditions: nearly two-thirds of children with ADHD also have at least one other condition, specifically learning disorders, anxiety, or autism.
What Is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects social communication skills and restricted or repetitive behaviours, and sometimes impacts sensory processing. Symptoms can differ in intensity, which is why it is called “spectrum”.
The core characteristics involve the following:
- Social-related difficulties: Difficulties with understanding non-verbal communication, problems with eye contact, and odd and/or problematic peer relationships.
- Restricted interests and routines: Highly focused on particular subjects; rigid insistence on sameness.
- Sensory differences: Over-reactive or under-reactive to stimuli, like noise, texture, and light
There are many features of ASD that will present in early childhood, often present before age 3, while ADHD will often show only slightly later.
ADHD vs. Autism: Know the Key Difference
Here is the difference between ADHD and Autism:
| Feature | ADHD | Autism |
|---|---|---|
| Attention | Distractable, scattered focus | Hyperfocus on special interests |
| Social Skills | Craves interaction, but is impulsive | Struggles to interpret social cues |
| Communication | Over‑talkative, interrupts | May speak less, echo phrases, and avoid eye contact |
| Repetitive Behavior | Rare | Common (stimming, routines) |
| Routine | More adaptable | Resistant to change |
| Sensory Processing | Less typical sensory issues | Significant sensitivities common |
These comparisons show the differences between ADHD and autism.
Is There a Relationship Between Autism and ADHD?
Yes, there is considerable overlap. Estimates vary, however:
- 30-80% of autistic individuals also show symptoms of ADHD.
- 20-50% of children with ADHD meet criteria for autism (Case-Smith et al., 2019).
- A meta-analysis found comorbidity rates of 50-70% (Lehnert et al., 2014).
Another review states that 28-44% of adults diagnosed with ASD also have ADHD (Reed et al., 2019). This co-occurrence has given rise to the term “AuDHD”, coined after DSM-5 (2013) permitted a dual diagnosis.
Why Overlap Matters:
- Shared genetic influences: Genetic overlap of 50–72% has been found in twin and family studies.
- Symptom masking: ADHD traits may mask autism symptoms, and vice versa.
- Complicated treatments: Medications and interventions need to consider both conditions (e.g., ADHD stimulants may exacerbate sensory issues in autistic individuals).
Learn about ADHD vs OCD here.
How Are They Diagnosed?
The diagnosis is made through multiple channels, primarily completed by paediatricians, psychiatrists, or psychologists. The steps include:
- Medical and developmental history, including questionnaires and interviews about early behaviour
- Structured or unstructured observation (directly, or with input from a carer or educator)
- Rated against standardised criteria like DSM‑5 or ICD‑11 caretaker
- Inclusion of screening for co-occurring conditions-- learning difficulties, anxiety symptoms, overlaps with autism/ADHD
- Accurate assessment is imperative given the high comorbidity rates between ADHD and autism.... ADHD and autism have defined diagnostic criteria, and clinicians need to be certain to check that each condition is fully considered.
What Are the Treatments?
ADHD Treatment
- Behavioural therapy, which focuses on routines, reward systems, and impulse control
- Parent training and accommodations at school (e.g., extra time, where they sit)
- Medications (both stimulants [methylphenidate, amphetamines] and non-stimulants [atomoxetine])
Autism Treatment
- Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills therapy.
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) can be helpful in the improvement of communication and in reducing repetitive behaviours.
Sensory Integration Treatment.
Treating co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, sleep disorders, epilepsy, etc.
Related Learning: ADHD Case Study
When Do ADHD and Autism Co-Occur?
Individualised treatment plans are created. One example of this would be ADHD medicine may be dosed differently so that a person with autism does not become overstimulated. Provided that a person is willing, collaborative therapy, whereby both conditions are addressed, will be most effective.
Can You Have ADHD and Autism?
I don't know whether a dual diagnosis (called sometimes AuDHD) is legitimate, but it is increasingly accepted:
Many children and adults live with overlapping symptoms and benefit from assessing both conditions. AuDHD is a uniquely complex combination of impulsivity, focused interests, executive dysfunction, and sensory concerns that renders an individual intrapersonally competing—but strengthens that individual in remarkable ways.
People with both conditions physically navigate greater social, emotional, and physical challenges than people who hold one diagnosis. Understanding and accepting this complicated reality enables the construction of care addressing the person holistically, not a diagnosis or a set of symptoms.
Learn about OCD vs Autism here.
Why Choose Jagruti Rehab?
Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre knows that every neurodivergent person is different. Whether you are navigating ADHD, autism, or the even more elaborate combination of the two—AuDHD—we offer personalised care plans that are responsive to the needs of dual diagnosis, evidence-based therapies that range from occupational and behavioural therapy to structured systems of support, coordinated care with the collaborative team of therapists, educators, and families, and holistic care that incorporates emotional wellbeing, skill development, and community integration.
We don’t only treat symptoms—we help families develop an understanding of neurodiversity, lower their stressors, and unleash the potential in each individual.
If you suspect you, or a loved one, has ADHD, autism, or most likely both, you can find help for addiction and neurodiversity at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre in Hyderabad to start building a path towards resilience and growth!
Frequently asked questions
ADHD affects attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, while autism affects social communication, repetitive activities, and sensory processing. Although there are overlaps in symptoms, one disorder requires different diagnostic and treatment services from the other.
Absolutely. Comorbidity rates are between 30% and 80%, depending on age group, meaning dual diagnoses are quite common.
ADHD medication can assist with impulsivity issues, but does not address the core social or sensory difficulties with autism. ADHD medication can increase the level of sensory overload experienced, so treatment is a balance of medications.
- ADHD-related challenges: distractibility, impulsivity, procrastination, emotional dysregulation.
- Autism-related challenges: difficulty with social empathy, sensory sensitivities, routine required, anxiety.
- When both are present, compounded executive dysfunction, sensory overwhelm, and social difficulties.
Dr. Amar Shinde, founder of Jagruti Rehab, is a renowned psychiatrist in India with over two decades of experience in mental health, addiction recovery, and neuropsychiatry, dedicated to holistic, compassionate patient care.
