ADHD Versus Autism: Which One Am I?

Both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions that can affect your attention, communication, behavior, and social interactions.

While they may seem similar in some ways, they’re distinct diagnoses with unique characteristics. Understanding the differences — and where they might overlap — can help you gain clarity and seek the right type of therapy.

Read on as our team here at Brooklyn Integrative Psychological Services compares ADHD and ASD.

How ADHD and autism overlap

ADHD and ASD share some common traits, which can make distinguishing between them challenging. 

Difficulty with focus

People with either condition might hyperfocus on a specific topic. Hyperfocus — the opposite of distractibility — can affect people with ASD as well as children and adults with ADHD.

On the flip side, both autistic individuals and those with ADHD may struggle to focus on topics they don’t find interesting. 

Social challenges

Both conditions can involve difficulties in social interactions, though the reasons differ. ADHD-related impulsivity may lead to interrupting others, difficulty waiting their turn, or even impulse shopping. 

ASD may cause social challenges in interpreting social cues. For example, you may find it difficult to interpret someone’s tone of voice, facial expressions, or even their body language. 

Sensory sensitivities 

Sensory processing issues are more common with ASD but can also appear in individuals with ADHD.

Sensory overload can come in many formats, including feeling bothered by touch that’s too light/too firm, loud noises, the feel of certain fabrics, strong smells, and even the temperature of food. 

Regardless of whether you have sensory sensitivities related to ADHD or ASD, exercise can help reduce the intensity of sensory overload.

Key differences between ADHD and autism

Now that we’ve covered the similarities, let’s talk about the differences between these two conditions.

Core traits

ADHD may cause persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, so you may find it difficult to sit still, stay organized, or follow through on tasks. ADHD can impact your executive function skills, which often results in difficulty planning, managing time, and completing tasks.

ASD is characterized by difficulties in social communication, highly focused interests, and repetitive behaviors. Autistic individuals crave routines and can become very anxious if their routines change. 

Social behavior 

Social challenges with ADHD are often linked to impulsive behaviors like interrupting conversations or acting before thinking. However, people with ADHD tend to be eager to connect with others.  

Social difficulties with ASD often stem from challenges in understanding body language, tone of voice, and unspoken social rules. People with autism tend to take things literally, so they may struggle to decode sarcasm.

Communication styles

People with ADHD may talk excessively or jump between topics — often due to excitement or distractibility.

People with autism often have intense, narrow interests they can discuss or engage in for hours. Communication may feel rigid or formal, and some people on the spectrum may have difficulty with conversational reciprocity (e.g., taking turns in conversations).

Can ADHD and autism occur at the same time?

Yes! ADHD and ASD often co-occur, meaning it’s possible to have both conditions. In fact, research published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that up to 70% of individuals diagnosed with autism also meet the criteria for ADHD. 

Having both conditions can amplify certain traits, such as sensory sensitivities, difficulty focusing, and social challenges.

Do you have ADHD or autism?

If you’re trying to figure out whether you’re more likely to have ADHD, ASD, or both, consider the following questions:

• Do I struggle with executive function skills like prioritization, time management, and task initiation?
• Do I struggle more with organization and impulsivity, or with social interactions and repetitive behaviors?
• Do I feel unsure about how to connect with others?

While these answers can help you reflect on your symptoms and how they impact you, the only way to know for sure if you have ADHD or ASD is through a professional evaluation. 

Your Brooklyn Integrative Psychological Services provider may use questionnaires and assessments to identify the traits and patterns that align with ADHD and/or ASD.

Ultimately, our team diagnoses both conditions through these evaluations, paired with the guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.

Reach out for support

Whether you identify more with ADHD, ASD, or both, know that your diagnosis isn’t a label — it’s a roadmap to understanding your brain and how to manage challenges effectively. Therapy, coaching, medication, and community support can all be powerful tools — tools that we can provide.

The Brooklyn Integrative Psychological Services team can help with autism and ADHD with:

• Telehealth for those living in Massachusetts
• Telehealth for those living in Oregon
• Telehealth for those living in New York State
• In-person therapy for those living in New York City

To get started with your psychological evaluation, click here to make your appointment.