If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, or is being evaluated for either, you may be wondering whether the two are related. The short answer is yes.
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and autism are closely connected; they often show up together, and understanding that link is one of the most useful things you can do to get your child the right support.
They travel together more often than you’d think
For decades, clinicians weren’t even allowed to give a child both diagnoses. That only changed in 2013, when the diagnostic manual was updated to recognize that the two conditions can genuinely co-occur. Since then, research has confirmed what many families already sensed: overlap is common.
The CDC reports that nearly 78% of children with ADHD have at least one other condition, and autism is on that list. Autism itself is far more common than it was once thought, now identified in about 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the U.S. When ADHD and autism appear in the same child, some researchers informally call it “AuDHD,” though that isn’t an official diagnosis. It’s simply a way of naming a very real, very common combination.
Why the two overlap
Part of the reason ADHD and autism show up together is that they share deep roots. Both are neurodevelopmental conditions, meaning they reflect differences in how the brain develops from early in life, and both are strongly influenced by genetics.
A 2025 study from the Child Mind Institute, published in Molecular Psychiatry, found that certain patterns of brain connectivity and gene activity were tied to the severity of autism-related traits, whether a child was formally diagnosed with autism or with ADHD. In other words, the two conditions may sit on overlapping biological ground rather than in completely separate boxes. The 2025 research roundup from the Autism Science Foundation echoed this, describing many neuro-developmental traits as “trans-diagnostic,” crossing the lines we usually draw between diagnoses.
This helps explain something parents notice firsthand: a child can have trouble focusing, sitting still, reading social cues, and managing change all at once, and those challenges don’t always sort themselves neatly into one label.
Why an accurate picture matters
Because ADHD and autism can look alike and mask each other, one can be missed when the other is diagnosed first. An early autism diagnosis strongly predicts a later ADHD diagnosis, and one condition can hide the other during evaluation. A child whose real challenge is undiagnosed ADHD might be put on the wrong medication if only the surface behavior is treated. A thorough evaluation, one that looks for both conditions rather than stopping at the first, gives your child’s team the information they need to help effectively.
Athena Care psychologist, Dr. Leigh Van Horn, Ph.D. offers that, “While neurodivergence does run in families, each individual member is unique. It is important to have an accurate sense of each individual’s unique strengths and needs. Most people find that the data obtained in these evaluations helps them to understand themselves (or their family member) better, which in turn leads to greater satisfaction, better functioning, and more attuned relationships.”
Treating the overlap
Treatment for co-occurring ADHD and autism is increasingly personalized and combines several tools: behavior-based supports, school accommodations, executive-function coaching, parent guidance, and, when appropriate, carefully chosen medication.
A 2025 review of interventions for children with both conditions found a growing evidence base for combining these approaches rather than relying on any single fix. A separate 2025 clinical review emphasized that thoughtful, individualized management, tailored to how your child actually thinks and learns, produces the best real-world results.
What this means for you as a parent: your child’s mix of traits is not a puzzle without a solution. It’s a profile that experts can now recognize and support with real strategies.
What to do next
If something feels like it’s being missed, trust that instinct and ask your pediatrician or a specialist to evaluate for both ADHD and autism, not just one. Bring specific examples from home and school. Ask how the recommended plan addresses your child’s whole profile. And remember that a dual diagnosis isn’t double trouble; it’s simply a clearer, more honest map, and a clearer map means your child gets effective help faster.
We’re here to help
If any of the above resonated with you or someone you love, reach out to Athena Care so we can help. You can contact us by filling out this short form or call/text us at +1 877-641-1155 or email [email protected].
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Dr. E. Leigh Van Horn, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Van Horn is a licensed clinical psychologist providing individual and couples therapy as well as assessment for ADHD/LD, personality disorders, and a variety of other psychological and neuropsychological disorders. She earned her PhD from Tennessee State University and completed her internship and postdoctoral residency at Vanderbilt University’s Psychological and Counseling Center.
Meg Stein, CFP
Editor
Meg is a certified mindfulness instructor and works at Alive and Aware Practice in Durham, NC. She has over ten years of experience as a content creator and marketing consultant, working in mental healthcare and social justice.
Sources:
Segura, P., Pagani, M., Bishop, S. L., et al. (2025). Connectome-based symptom mapping and in silico related gene expression in children with autism and/or ADHD. Molecular Psychiatry, 31(1), 282. (Reported by the Child Mind Institute via ScienceDaily, 2026.)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024–2025). Data and Statistics on ADHD in Children and Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. cdc.gov
UC Davis MIND Institute / UC Davis Health. (2025, August). Autism, ADHD or Both? Research Offers New Insights for Clinicians. health.ucdavis.edu
Autism Science Foundation. (2026, January). 2025 Autism Research Year in Review. autismsciencefoundation.org
An update on the comorbidity of ADHD and ASD and its clinical management. (2025). Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. tandfonline.com
Children and Adolescents with Co-Occurring ADHD and ASD: A Systematic Review of Multimodal Interventions. (2025). Brain Sciences (MDPI), PMC12156790.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for personalized medical advice. Talk with your child’s pediatrician or a qualified specialist about evaluation and care.