In short: AuDHD is a community term for being both autistic and ADHD. It is not a separate diagnosis — a person receives both diagnoses — but the combination creates a distinctive, often contradictory experience that is easy to miss.
Educational content only. auDHD.co.za is written by members of the neurodivergent community, not medical professionals. We are not registered with the HPCSA. Nothing here is a diagnosis or medical advice — please speak to a registered psychologist, psychiatrist or doctor. Full disclaimer.
AuDHD (pronounced “aw-D-H-D”) describes people who are both autistic and have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Since 2013 the DSM-5 has allowed both to be diagnosed together, and research suggests that a large share of autistic people also meet criteria for ADHD.
AuDHD symptoms: when two brains pull in different directions
Many AuDHD people describe a constant tug-of-war between the two:
- Routine vs novelty: autism craves predictability; ADHD craves new stimulation — so routines feel both essential and unbearable.
- Deep focus vs distractibility: intense special interests alongside difficulty starting ordinary tasks.
- Social energy: ADHD impulsivity may make you chatty and spontaneous; autistic processing leaves you exhausted afterwards.
- Sensory needs: seeking stimulation (fidgeting, music) while also being easily overwhelmed by noise, light or textures.
- Executive dysfunction: planning, time-keeping and task-switching are hard for both reasons.
Autism and ADHD: how they overlap
Both are neurodevelopmental conditions present from childhood. They share traits such as sensory differences, emotional intensity and executive-function difficulties, which is why one often masks the other. Many people are diagnosed with ADHD first and recognise their autistic traits only in adulthood — or the reverse.
Is AuDHD in the DSM-5?
No. “AuDHD” is not a formal diagnostic label. The DSM-5 (2013) removed the earlier rule that prevented autism and ADHD from being diagnosed together, so clinicians now diagnose both conditions. AuDHD is the shorthand the community uses for that combination.
Why AuDHD is often missed
- Traits of one condition can hide the other (e.g. ADHD spontaneity looks “not autistic”).
- Masking — consciously or unconsciously hiding traits — is common, especially in women and girls.
- Many adults in South Africa were never assessed as children.
How to get assessed in South Africa
Assessment is done by a registered psychologist or psychiatrist. Start with the free ADHD self-screen, read about autism screening, then see how to get assessed in SA.
Frequently asked questions
Is AuDHD a disability?
Autism and ADHD can both be disabilities when they substantially limit daily life. In South Africa, this may qualify you for workplace reasonable accommodations.
Can medication help AuDHD?
ADHD medication can help ADHD symptoms in autistic people, though some are more sensitive to side effects. There is no medication for autism itself. See ADHD medication in South Africa.
Where to next?
Adults: late diagnosis, burnout, treatment, “do I have it?”I’m here for my child →
Parents: signs by age, assessment, school, support
Sources & further reading
- Psychology Today — AuDHD basics
- CHADD — What is AuDHD?
- Neurodivergent Insights — What is AuDHD
- Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge
Last checked: 31 October 2026. If you spot something out of date, tell us.