The ADHD + Autism Combo

Got a brain that simultaneously needs routine AND gets bored? That craves predictability AND impulsively buys a new hobby every month?

Welcome to AuDHD.

"I set up the perfect routine, follow it for three days, get bored, abandon it, feel terrible about the chaos, create a NEW perfect routine, and repeat forever." — AuDHD adult

The Overlap Is Huge

If you have autism, there's a solid chance you have ADHD too. Until 2013, you literally couldn't be diagnosed with both.

Imagine one part of your brain screaming "ROUTINE! PREDICTABILITY!" while another screams "BORING! NEW THING! STIMULATION NOW!"

That's AuDHD. A brain that argues with itself.

Your Autism Wants	Your ADHD Wants	Result
Routine	Novelty	Routines you can't maintain
Deep focus	Jumping between things	Whiplash
Planning	Spontaneity	Plans you immediately ignore

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

Intense emotional pain from perceived rejection—common in both.

"It feels like getting punched in the chest when someone criticizes my work, even constructively." — AuDHD adult

Not just "being sensitive"—a physically painful emotional response.

What Actually Helps

Flexible structure: Same TIME for activity, but WHICH activity can rotate.

External systems: Your brain won't track things. Don't expect it to.

Multiple active projects: So you have somewhere to bounce TO.

For detailed strategies, see Managing Both.

Medication

Many with AuDHD benefit from ADHD medication, but autistic people may be more sensitive. "Start low, go slow."

Read the Medication Guide for details.

You're not "too complicated." You're running two operating systems simultaneously. The internal conflict IS the condition.