Living with ADHD and Autism: Understanding the Challenges and Overlaps

TLDRADHD and autism are often underdiagnosed in women and have overlapping symptoms. Learn about the challenges of living with both conditions, including sensory overload, difficulty with routines, and decision-making struggles.

Key insights

💡ADHD and autism are often underdiagnosed in women due to different presentations and the belief that the conditions couldn't coexist.

⚙️The combination of ADHD and autism can make it feel like you're being pulled in two directions, leading to exhaustion and meltdowns.

🤝30 to 50 percent of autistic individuals also show signs of ADHD, while about two-thirds of people with ADHD show signs of being autistic.

🌈Differences in the nervous system and sensory processing can cause overstimulation in autism and understimulation in ADHD.

⚖️Finding a balance between routine and spontaneity can be challenging, as autism craves routine while ADHD craves new activities.

Q&A

Why are ADHD and autism underdiagnosed in women?

—ADHD and autism can present differently in women, leading to incorrect diagnoses or a lack of diagnosis.

What are some common challenges of living with both ADHD and autism?

—Challenges include sensory overload, difficulty with routines, decision-making struggles, and feeling pulled in two directions.

What is the relationship between ADHD and autism?

—Many autistic individuals also show signs of ADHD, and many people with ADHD also show signs of being autistic.

How do ADHD and autism affect the nervous system?

—Autism tends to cause overstimulation, while ADHD tends to result in understimulation.

How can someone with ADHD and autism find a balance between routine and new activities?

—Finding a balance can be challenging, as autism craves routine and ADHD craves new experiences. It may require trial and error to find what works best.

Timestamped Summary

01:10ADHD and autism are often underdiagnosed in women due to different presentations and the belief that the conditions couldn't coexist.

04:0030 to 50 percent of autistic individuals also show signs of ADHD, while about two-thirds of people with ADHD show signs of being autistic.

07:00Differences in the nervous system and sensory processing can cause overstimulation in autism and understimulation in ADHD.

08:30Finding a balance between routine and spontaneity can be challenging, as autism craves routine while ADHD craves new activities.

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