If you’ve been wondering “Is it ADHD or autism?” you’re not alone. Many adults begin searching for ADHD vs autism after recognising long-standing challenges with focus, energy, emotions, or social situations. These questions often come later in life, especially for people who have learned to mask, compensate, or push through difficulties for years.
The key thing to know is this: ADHD and autism are different neurodevelopmental profiles, but they can overlap and they can co-occur. Understanding the similarities and differences can be a helpful first step toward self-understanding and appropriate support.
Why ADHD and Autism Can Look So Similar
Both ADHD and autism can affect daily functioning, including work, relationships, mental health, and overall wellbeing. This overlap is one reason many adults feel unsure which description fits them best.
Common overlapping traits include:
- Social difficulties (feeling out of sync, misreading social cues, struggling in groups)
- Sensory overwhelm (noise, bright lights, busy environments)
- Strong emotions and difficulty regulating stress
- Executive function challenges (planning, starting tasks, switching focus, remembering steps)
Because these experiences are broad, it’s understandable to feel uncertain. Online checklists can support self-reflection, but they cannot replace a professional assessment.
ADHD in Adults: Common Signs and Experiences
ADHD is typically associated with ongoing patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with everyday life. In adults, ADHD may look like:
- Frequently losing track of time, tasks, or belongings
- Feeling mentally restless, even without visible hyperactivity
- Acting impulsively (interrupting, quick decisions, risky spending)
- Starting many projects but struggling to complete them
- Motivation that increases with urgency or interest, then drops suddenly
According to the NHS, adult ADHD often affects organisation, focus, time management, and impulse control, with knock-on effects on work, education, and relationships.
Autism in Adults: Common Signs and Experiences
Autism is usually described in terms of differences in social communication and interaction, alongside sensory sensitivities, routines, and focused interests. In adults, this may include:
- Finding social situations confusing, draining, or anxiety-provoking
- Taking language literally or missing implied meanings
- Needing predictability and finding sudden change distressing
- Being highly sensitive to sensory input (sound, texture, light)
- Having deep, absorbing interests or strong preferences
The NHS highlights that many autistic adults experience social anxiety, difficulty interpreting others’ thoughts or feelings, and a strong need for routine.
Can You Have Both ADHD and Autism? (AuDHD)
Yes. ADHD and autism can co-occur, which is often referred to as AuDHD. This is one reason the question “Is it ADHD or autism?” can feel so difficult to answer.
When someone has both, traits can pull in different directions, for example:
- ADHD may seek novelty, while autism may rely on routine
- ADHD may involve fast thinking or impulsivity, while autism may prefer slower processing
- Masking may be strong in both, increasing fatigue and burnout
NICE provides separate UK clinical guidelines for ADHD and for autism in adults, reflecting that both are recognised, assessable neurodevelopmental conditions.
Reflective Questions (Without Forcing a Label)
Rather than asking “Which one do I have?”, it can be more helpful to ask:
- What situations drain me most, and why? (social complexity, sensory overload, boredom, unpredictability)
- Are my main challenges around attention and impulsivity, social communication, sensory needs, or a combination?
- Have these traits been present since childhood, even if they were overlooked or masked?
When to Consider an ADHD or Autism Assessment in the UK
If your traits are causing significant difficulty, such as burnout, anxiety, work or relationship strain, or trouble coping day to day, it may be worth speaking to your GP about assessment options.
In the UK, you can:
- Ask your GP about NHS assessment pathways, including Right to Choose if waiting times are long
- Consider a private assessment if this is more accessible for you
References (UK)
- NHS: ADHD in adults
- NHS: Signs of autism in adults
- NICE guideline NG87: ADHD: diagnosis and management
- NICE guideline CG142: Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management
Alternatively, you may wish to self-refer for a private assessment. Please see details of our ADHD and autism assessments at Makewell (https://wemakewell.co.uk/services/mental-health-services)