Are you wondering if you’re autistic or ADHD (or both)?
People often tell me they’re beginning to question whether they’re autistic or ADHD — or both.
There’s an enormous overlap, as there is with many other neurodivergences, so it’s important to recognise that everyone’s characteristics and experience will be different and nothing exists in a vacuum.
Until 2013 it wasn’t possible to be diagnosed as both autistic and ADHD (AuDHD). As soon as you were diagnosed with one, that stopped you being diagnosed with the other. This is just one of the many things wrong with the medical model as studies now estimate that around 70% of autistic people are also ADHD, and 50% of ADHDers are also autistic. Other common co-occurring neurodivergences include dyspraxia and dyslexia.
If you’re autistic and ADHD then it can be harder to identify this because characteristics will camouflage one another. For example, you may be well organised so think you can’t possibly be ADHD, or enjoy trying new things and think that means you can’t be autistic.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s characteristics are different. They are impacted by co-occurring conditions and neurodivergences and other intersectionalities. There is no single way of experiencing any neurodivergence and capacity and characteristics will fluctuate throughout life depending on other factors such as age, health, environment, etc.
The medical model is pathologising, deficit-based, and from a neuronormative point of view, but it’s what is currently in use for anyone wanting a formal assessment and diagnosis. Initial screening questionnaires form part of this. (See https://neuroqueer.com/neurodiversity-terms-and-definitions/ for an alternative to the medical model.)
You can find questionnaires for autism at https://embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/ (including one for high maskers) and one for ADHD at https://adhduk.co.uk/adult-adhd-screening-survey/
There’s also a monotropism questionnaire at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/3boLukEeVUr73aTs/
Scoring high on these is not a diagnosis, but they do suggest a likelihood, and may encourage you to do more reading about these neurotypes. Some people choose to pursue a formal diagnosis, while others are happy to self-identify.
Several neurodivergences do not have a formal medical diagnosis pathway so can only be self-identified.
What are the pros and cons of an ADHD or autism diagnosis vs self-identification?
Reframing Autism’s welcome pack.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s Welcome to the Autistic Community book.
Affirming book lists and a book club from Not An Autism Mom.
My current offer:
Counselling for adults and young people aged 16+ online and in Launceston. Sessions are 60 minutes. These usually take place weekly or fortnightly but other arrangements may be possible. It’s important you feel safe and comfortable with whichever counsellor you choose. I offer a free, 15-minute online video call for anyone who is interested in working with me but would like to find out more first.
Rewind trauma therapy for PTSD symptoms can be carried out as part of counselling work or as a stand-alone therapy.
Ad hoc clinical supervision/consultation around neurodiversity for counsellors, therapists, mental health practitioners, education professionals and others.
One-to-one video calls for those who are considering becoming counsellors and would like support navigating the range of qualification pathways. See How to Become a Counsellor in the UK.
Please get in touch via jade.farrington@gmail.com and subscribe to my newsletter to receive neurodiversity content straight to your inbox. You can find me elsewhere via Linktree.
