Autism and ADHD: Can You Have Both?

You took an ADHD screening and scored high. Then you read about autism and thought, 'that sounds like me too.' Now you're confused. Can one person really have both? The short answer: yes, absolutely. And it's far more common than the healthcare system has historically acknowledged.

The Co-occurrence Is the Norm, Not the Exception

Research consistently shows that ADHD and autism overlap at striking rates. Studies estimate that 50–70% of autistic people also meet the criteria for ADHD, while 18–50% of people with ADHD show significant autistic traits. The independent ADHD Taskforce report published by NHS England confirmed that ADHD rarely presents in isolation and frequently co-occurs with other neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism.

Until 2013, diagnostic guidelines actually prevented clinicians from diagnosing both conditions in the same person. You got one or the other. That restriction has been removed, but its legacy lingers: many clinicians still treat the two conditions as separate tracks, and UK services for ADHD and autism are typically run by different teams with different budgets and different waiting lists.

What the Overlap Looks Like in Practice

Some traits are shared between the two conditions. Both can involve difficulty with executive function (planning, organising, starting tasks), sensory sensitivities, social challenges, and emotional regulation difficulties. But the underlying reasons often differ.

With ADHD, social difficulties might come from impulsivity (interrupting, saying the wrong thing, missing social cues because you're distracted). With autism, social difficulties tend to stem from differences in how you process social information (not intuitively reading tone, facial expressions, or unspoken expectations). When you have both, these interact in complex ways. You might struggle to read the room and blurt out an inappropriate response at the same time.

Sensory experiences overlap too, but with different flavours. ADHD sensory issues often relate to stimulation-seeking (needing music, movement, or novelty to focus). Autistic sensory experiences more commonly involve overwhelm (sounds too loud, lights too bright, textures unbearable). Having both can mean you oscillate between craving stimulation and being completely flooded by it.

Why Getting Both Identified Matters

Treating ADHD without recognising autism (or vice versa) often produces incomplete results. ADHD medication may help with focus and impulsivity but won't address sensory overload or social communication differences. Autism-focused strategies around routine and predictability may conflict with the ADHD need for novelty and stimulation.

The National Autistic Society describes the experience of living with both conditions as 'a paradox,' because the needs of each condition can directly contradict each other. Understanding that paradox is the first step to navigating it.

From a practical standpoint, having both conditions identified also strengthens your case for workplace support. Access to Work funding is based on the impact of your conditions on your work, and acknowledging the full picture gives a clearer basis for the support you actually need.

How Dual Assessment Works in the UK

Here's where the system gets frustrating. As the ADHD Taskforce Part 2 report acknowledges, most ADHD, autism and mental health pathways in England are separated. Diagnoses, services and budgets are siloed. That means you may need to go through two entirely separate assessment processes, often with two separate waiting lists.

Some private clinics now offer combined ADHD and autism assessments, which can be more efficient (and often more insightful, since the assessor considers both conditions simultaneously). If you suspect both, it's worth asking about this when choosing a provider. Our clinic directory flags which providers offer combined assessments.

1. 1

   Screen for both conditions. Our free screening chatbot covers ADHD and autism separately, so you can get a likelihood score for each. This gives you a clearer picture before approaching your GP.

2. 2

   Tell your GP you suspect both. Be explicit. If you only mention ADHD, you'll only be referred for ADHD assessment. Ask for referrals to both pathways, or ask about providers who assess for both.

3. 3

   Gather evidence that covers both profiles. Document examples of ADHD traits (focus issues, impulsivity, restlessness) and autistic traits (sensory sensitivities, social communication differences, need for routine) separately. This helps assessors see the full picture.

4. 4

   Consider a private combined assessment if NHS waits are unmanageable. Costs vary, but a combined assessment typically runs between £1,200 and £2,500. Some providers offer payment plans.

5. 5

   Be prepared for the assessment to take longer. Combined assessments are more thorough by necessity. This is a good thing: it means the clinician is considering how the two conditions interact rather than looking for just one.

Sources

NHS: Other conditions that affect autistic people · NHS England: Independent ADHD Taskforce Part 1 · NHS England: Independent ADHD Taskforce Part 2 · National Autistic Society: Autistic and ADHD life as a paradox · NHS Digital: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2023/24