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Scientists explore how autism and ADHD overlap
Co-occurring ADHD and autism can obscure each other delaying diagnosis.
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Thursday 26th March 2026 |
Colleen Cira first recognised her own attention deficit hyperactivity disorder while having her children assessed, an experience clinicians say is increasingly common among adults whose symptoms went unnoticed earlier in life.
It took another seven years before she and her two children were also diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
This overlap, often referred to informally as AuDHD in neurodivergent communities, is gaining significant attention.
Research suggests the co-occurrence of ADHD and autism may be both common and widely under-recognised.
A recent study estimated that roughly 45 per cent of adults with ADHD show significant autistic traits.
Yet, an analysis of US insurance claims found that only a tiny fraction of adults with ADHD had a co-existing autism diagnosis.
The gap points to a growing realisation among researchers that when ADHD and autism occur together, they can obscure each other, making both conditions harder to recognise.
Scientists are now working urgently to understand how this overlap shapes symptoms, why it is so often missed by medical professionals, and what it means for the people living with these complex neurodevelopmental profiles.
Source: National Geographic (USA)
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/
Further reading, listening and viewing...
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