ADHD & Autism: Can you really have BOTH?

Did you know that the majority of Autists also have ADHD? Is there a reason why my highly organised email inbox still says it has over 2,000 unread emails? I research all my purchases carefully. So how does that explain why I impulse purchased a robot vacuum cleaner from Amazon at 3am last week?
#ADHD and #Autism overlap as #AuDHD and although this is a large subject matter that even professionals struggle with; I'm still going to make the video that I wish I had last year! And here it is :D
👩‍🏫👨🏼‍🏫🧑🏾‍🏫 Tea & Tails BOOKCLUB is now open! Our first book is "Strong Female Character" by Fern Brady: • Why Fern Brady's 'Stro...
🔗 Relevant Links:
A Causal and Mediation Analysis of the Comorbidity Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28255...
The comorbidity of ADHD in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
Stevens, Peng & Banard-Brak, 2016
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
RAADS-R (screener for ADHD traits)
embrace-autism.com/raads-r/
Autistic People More Likely to Identify as LGBTQ
sparkforautism.org/discover_a...
The venn diagram used: ADHD vs Autism (Neurodivergent insights)
neurodivergentinsights.com/mi...
👥 The Comment Section is OPEN!
I welcome all perspectives! Join the conversation in the comments below and share your experiences and thoughts!
📌 Stay Connected:
Stim the notification bell and subscription button to be notified when I release new content.
I'm now on Instagram: / autisticafter40
👨‍⚖️ Disclaimer:
I am not a healthcare professional or psychotherapist. If you are watching this and feel that you need immediate mental health support, please see the list of mental health helplines at HelpGuide.org here:
www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm
If you have met one autistic (and or ADHD) person, you have met one person. This is a spectrum condition, and many traits may be different, or have alternative explanations for your symptoms. If in doubt, refer to a psychologist, and not a KZbinr.
Self-diagnosis is valid!
--
Chapters:
00:00 Please watch me

[@Jillian.Dreams]

Your new channel name is fun lol :)

[@Autistic_AF]

It is, isn’t it? 💪🧡 #AutisticAF ;)

[@resourceress7]

What was the previous name? I'm new to this channel but I learned in one video that AF stands for (among other things) "after 40." That's clever.

[@rozarah]

AuDHD is so much fun. Do you want new or comfort things? Umm, yes?

[@lakkakka]

And NO! It is always the wrong thing at the wrong time. Give me comfort I get bored and stressed. Give me exciting challenges and I'll get stressed out from the lack of clarity and guaranteed outcomes. No matter what it seems my brain is more intent on making me unhappy by focusing on negatives.

[@Ninsidhe]

I have this dilemma about my wretched HAIR. And living situations- do I stay here, do I move? Fnurrrrr

[@VCJyJ2010]

Self identified AuDHD here, I tend to take for ever to start things and then rush to finish them, sometimes with poor results 😵‍💫… I drive my family crazy because every now and then I have to switch the furniture, I hate modern buildings that have only one possible configuration for rooms😂… I have no patience, I manage interruptions poorly, I procrastinate a lot… I fear failure like the plague 😅 😊that for now…

[@TheRealMask3r]

It's like my brain has thinking diarrhea

[@Scentofrain.]

I spent my whole life confused by my simultaneous need for order and chaos until I found out I'm AuDHD. Now it all makes perfect sense.

[@xbjrrtc]

I really like that you frequently break eye contact. It's the kind of behavior that would make me feel *more* comfortable during a conversation. Eye contact makes me feel so exposed.

[@victorraymond3420]

To me this is normal and a lot more comfortable so I agree

[@TyWorth]

Oh, so THIS is why I have a Steam backlog of 1,000+ games but only regularly play the same 3. Got it.

[@megleland6320]

I have a ADHD diagnosis, and I finally suspect I may well have autism. At the very least, I am autistic-adjacent. I am not sure what seeking out a professional diagnosis at this point could positively do for me, but I have been finding your videos(focused on us older adults) very helpful while I try to work my "stuff" out. Thanks for that. 💜

[@Autistic_AF]

You are very welcome. “Autistic-adjacent” - I like that term! I have made two videos on seeking professional ASD diagnosis on the channel one listing pros and the other, cons. They might help? Thanks for being here! Wishing you the best in your self discovery! -Mike

[@megleland6320]

@@Autistic_AF Yes, and thank you again, I have watched both. Actually I have watched all of your videos now! They are really helpful to me at the moment.💜 I hope you continue to be inspired to make them... you really do a great job with them, and have a very authentic and kind tone. You come across very relatable and understanding, which makes discussing the harsher parts of autism easier to face up to.

[@kylieblundell366]

I am AuDHD and I was very unsure about why to go for the official identification (I don’t like the word diagnosis) as I identified so strongly with just about everything I read or listened to. Also, when I tried to seek a referral through my GP they were very unhelpful and acted like it was a trend to have ADHD/Autism, which was very hurtful, and the waiting lists were very long. So the cost of private care seemed out of reach. But I am really glad I went for it. For me the imposter syndrome was very strong, despite identifying so strongly. So the process helped me get past that and start to move toward a place of self love and forgiveness. Also, it opened up a lot of supports and access to peer groups who are so precious to me.

[@toxic_195]

That’s the same boat that I’m in now

[@MysteryGrey]

Who else changes clothes as many times per day as it takes to get comfortable without even getting comfortable???

[@Brit-jr-1988]

omg I do this every god dam day 😭

[@blanska]

I always feel like I need more structure and routine in my life. Sometimes I try to make to do lists or a schedule. But I struggle to make a plan that will actually work well for me, and also I am horrible at keeping to the schedule that I made XD This is the main reason I started to suspect that maybe I have both autism and ADHD :D Also I crave familiarity. I always want to know what to expect. Sometimes doing the same thing every day for like three days is great, bc I'm focused on a project, but then suddenly the repetition of it drives me crazy and I can't even look at it anymore and my brain craves the stimulation of something new. This is also a little suspicious xD

[@chantalventer2515]

Loved your video, although when you put up the text about the lights that derailed me so much I couldn't stop focusing on it while trying to listen, but also when they went out perfectly timed with the disappearing of the text, I was grateful for that explanation because I woukd have not stopped wondering about it....🤣🙄

[@BillOrrickMusic]

Another great video. I’m currently reading Ellie Middleton’s “Unmasked” (highly recommended by the way) and though I was diagnosed ASD in 2021, I relate to EVERY trait under inattentive ADHD. Now seeking diagnosis for that too.

[@Autistic_AF]

Thank you, Bill! I’ll add this book to the book club! It could very well be that you have ADHD traits too. It’s interesting to look into. -Mike

[@hannah51238]

I'm an AuDHD person. It's... Not great 😂 I find myself caught between the two quite a lot. One way I sort of solved being able to work at home (I too write code) is by having a standing desk. Some days I can write for hours, but most days I get bored very quickly and it just sucks. It's like I have to trick my ADHD into cooperating so I can do my "adult" jobs

[@heedmydemands]

Programming is so addictive

[@kenrickbautista6141]

I'm gonna be 28 in a month and I discovered I have AuDHD. When I took a harder look at my life, I see that I have been show signs and traits related to autism and ADHD. And honestly, this explains a lot about me.

[@higherground337]

I have a few executive functioning issues, and on that basis I can relate to some of the experiences of ADHDers. My psychologist didn't think it was enough to pursue an ADHD diagnosis though and I agree with her. ADHD sounds really rough, so I'm grateful to "just" have autism lol. The topic of autism and sexuality probably deserves its own video, there's so much to cover there!

[@gabidoo9304]

The part about women autistics more likely to have adverse sexual experiences made so much sense to my life and I just listened to it over and over, I would watch that video 😭 doing my research on audhd has made me feel so understood

[@plantfan668]

“How to ADHD” channel on KZbin has some good content- I just watched one “how to give your brain the stimulation it needs” which I found interesting- it talks about making a “menu” of activities to do when bored to make healthier/better quality of life choices similar to the way it can be beneficial to make plans what foods to choose before becoming hungry.

[@Autistic_AF]

Hello PlantFan! Thank you. I’ll check “How to ADHD” out!

[@JanneGlass]

Autistic with some ADHD traits here. But I think my ASD is stronger and throwing ADHD into the mix of the map I’m trying to create of myself is making it even harder to get a clear and understandable picture. So for now I’m treating ADHD as a rabbit hole I don’t want to dive in to too far. I use the Reminder app on my IPhone to organize everything I do. I plan my day and keep a prioritized backlog of everything I need or want to do in my private life. On my work laptop I use MS Todo. Works very well for me.

[@kikitauer]

Awww say hi to Toby! 😸 I got first diagnosed by a psychologist with ADHD but my psychiatrist refused to treat me because he "doesn't do childhood illnesses". So I changed a psychiatrist and he proposed that I might have ASD as well. The ASD diagnosis must come from a child psychologist or child psychiatrist in my country though so I went to see one. She confirmed it and so I received Asperger's diagnosis on top of ADHD. This epic story continues by the psychiatrist having ADHD too. He was great, I truly never had a better doctor. The issue was that he was forgetting to send me prescriptions and it was not possible to book an appointment due to his disorganized schedule. So I had to change him. I found one who didn't believe I had ADHD and ASD and made me take anxiety meds even though I was adamant that I am not anxious. So I had to find yet another doctor. This last one is great, finally 😊🙏

[@Autistic_AF]

Oh my - sounds like you’ve had a fairly horrible, mixed experience with one ‘professional’ after another! Glad you’re sorted now though! -Mike

[@domenicavilhotti5633]

Mike, this is the first ever comment I’ve felt moved to make on KZbin - I absolutely love this video and have shared with several friends and parents already. It’s deeply resonant to me (and for that reason, I want to share it with everyone who KNOWS me!). Please keep up this beautifully researched and kind, objective work. Looking forward to following you! 🎉

[@Autistic_AF]

Awww thank you, ☺️ Domenica! You are the kindest. Honestly, I’m honoured - and I’m glad you found value in my video. Thank you again - take care, Mike

[@syddlinden8966]

Its interesting to me the overlap cause my experience leans much more autistic but i have tons of hobbies and tend to hyperfocus on one for a while (days to weeks) and then switch to a different one. Part of this stems from an obsession with learning. But interatingly, I hold jobs for years and years without getting bored and have only found myself antsy since increasing to a certain dose on an anxiety med. You videos are really good runsowns of whay to look for and what kind of nuances to be aware of. I'm not at all confident in the Dx system as I'm constantly told I'm "too vocal/social to be autistic", so channels like this are really helpful in helping me reflect on how my experience goes around certain definitions.

[@Tal-br7ht]

6:28, that little transition of being capable of small talk that is in reality "all scripted" was a fascinating little window into some neurodivergent strategies around communication and masking. It was like a peek behind the curtain happening in real time.

[@luciddaze248]

Only found your channel recently, great content! Late dx AuDHD here, it explains sooo much! Love some parts like eternal curiosity but some days it's disorientating... had this youtube handle before I knew about AuDHD, now I understand where it came from!

[@jessiemae7064]

Great video! AuDHD here! Sometimes they balance each other out, sometimes, sometimes they are in conflict. Have you noticed the balance between them can change during different seasons of life? I feel like the autistic side ruled during childhood, then ADHD was in the drivers seat during my teens and twenties, somewhere in my thirties the balance shifted again, and now I'm in my 40's the autistic side is back in control (thanks ADHD meds perhaps). There are things I love about both and at this point I wouldn't change anything, its been great gettting diagnosed, learning more and connecting with other ND people.

[@Dynamicelectrician]

This is a great explainer. Very nice work on the video! Love the new name for the channel! I am professionally diagnosed ADHD, but after going on medication, it slowed my brain enough that I realized that I am also ASD - now waiting on testing. Being both explaines a lot. Mainly, how the battles in my head of constantly wanting structure vs. free spirit living are constantly working against one another. It also feels good to understand more about things like my sexuality and not to feel shame anymore. It was extremely hard to get to this point at 43, but the fun is starting now because I can finally be me. Thank the Lord I have a supportive family. 😊

[@Autistic_AF]

Thank you! That’s interesting how the medication unveiled your autistic traits - ADHD can ‘mask’ autistic traits for sure! -Mike

[@kylieblundell366]

Hi Toby. Thank you. I was able to listen to that without getting distracted. Your voice and tone are very soothing.

[@Autistic_AF]

You are very welcome

[@richicago20]

Me! just diagnosed with both, plus CPTSD…at age 54. Still working through it….

[@Autistic_AF]

Congratulations on your diagnoses. It's a milestone in your own journey.

[@yoni-in-BHAM]

I have both! But for me, I have soooooo many interests - including the ones from childhood still (like rocks, maps, books, trains, planes and automobiles 🤭)! I go around and around through all of my interests, while still acquiring more!🖖 It's exhausting! But I enjoy learning and applying what I've learned - even if sometimes I get hurt 🤕! I'm a jack of all trades and master of none! 😭

[@rebeckajarl3934]

Thank you, I was diagnosed with autism 2023, and the same year I started to think I might also have ADHD traits, mostly because I jump between different special interests about every 5 weeks, while having one or two lifelong ones. And I can't stick to a routine to save my life. Since I found obsidian and the Zattelkasten note taking system I'm better organised in my note taking but not as rigged as the original system are. Because I need flexibility to function. I get lot of tips from adhd content creators which works for me and others just gives me anxiety. Strict scheduling doesn't work because I need to focus on what my brain lets me focus on. At the same time I need structure and routine. Oh and I'm also dyslectic.

[@JadeAislin]

It wasn't until I was being tested for autism that I realized I was probably adhd as well. there was a test on the computer that would pop up a letter on the screen at different intervals of time between each letter, so I couldn't get into a rhythm. I was supposed to hit a key when a specific letter showed up. no matter what I did I would anticipate the letter coming, so I would hit the key only for the letter to not show up or my mind would wonder and it would take a few seconds to realize I had missed responding to that letter. Needless to say, I was not surprised to be diagnosed with both autism and combined adhd. Also, I am a female asexual.

[@ginnyjanisse1220]

Having significant ADHD signs and symptoms led me to a professional diagnosis. Stimulant meds have helped but there are still many traits that are still present or worse. This is what has led me to take all available autism-related tests. The results very obviously point to autism as a likely cause of my remaining struggles. What frustrates me about the tests is the bias towards number and math-related skills. Providers really like to use the AQ as an adult assessment tool but I have found that ADHD traits definitely alter the results of that test. The two conditions either amplify or cancel each other out in a lot of ways. Hopefully someday this will be taken into consideration when assessments are being done. ❤️

[@Swabblydoo]

I've had a very similar experience. I recently started taking stimulant meds for my ADHD which I was diagnosed with at 12. I've noticed that it's helped in some aspects, mainly executive dysfunction. It helps me to start a task and then continue doing it even after I get bored. But I also noticed it amplified my sensory issues. I've been getting overwhelmed much more frequently and easily. I also still fidget/stim quite a bit. Those are the most noticable ones. It's difficult and frustrating and weird to navigate.

[@remygallardo7364]

I just got my diagnosis of combined adhd type, been diagnosed asd for 6 years, so officially audhd now. I only had to pause and rewind several minutes 6 times to actually hear everything you said. It can be rough at times. My psych doesn't believe that the two can overlap but she admits that regardless of what she thinks the treatment for the conditions has enough compatibility that she isn't against the dual diagnosis since traditionally ASD isn't allowed the same prescriptive medications ADHD is for treatment despite clearly showing improvements with stimulants and difficulties with dopamine.

[@DrizzyD670]

Favorite oganization system=Bullet Journalling. Absolutely changed my life.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

It wasn't that long ago that you couldn't get an OCD and an ADHD diagnosis because they were thought to be more or less opposite things. But, a solid third of all ADDers are also OCD. And ADHD + OCD can be challenging to differentiate from ASD at times, especially with so many autistic people being auDHD. It gets enough tougher when you've got folks who can cope just fine up until their tweens, in which case there can be a struggle getting any sort of a diagnosis as that's often considered too late to be neurodevelopmental, but much too early to be a personality disorder either.

[@katzenbekloppt2412]

Yep. Tragically typical I was late diagnosed with inattentive ADHD by the only (!) and of cause male psychiatrist in Berlin, Germanys capital and biggest city around 30 years after my son was diagnosed with the typical appearing wild aggressive boys one. (Just found out that indeed I WAS diagnosed with so called "minimal cerebral dyfunction" at primary school, which was that time in the 80s what later was called ADHD, but my teacher/psychologist mother I guess found it too shameful to let me get professionell help that only the dyspraxia was "treated" by extra sport-lessons for all pupils at school together one year.... haha. She also didn't recognize I would have needed glasses, I found out same after my son was diagnosed. Both parents wore glasses...) I was that typicsl daydreaming unsporty girl always very good manners and good at school without maths and sports (noone knew about dyscalculia, later had best marks when we had "higher maths" without classic numbers and teacher was puzzled. Was also tested at high IQ as my mother wanted to proof it as she and my dad met at a high-IQ-club🙄). During that diagnose-time I read about the similarities and felt very much close to autism, too, but feeling not "totally" like it. As for ADHD, but that I am extremly tidy, are called "monk" like the detective at work for always needing things same way, not wanting to be interrupted, beeing very easily irritated by noise, etc. this man explained is just being female having the "female" ADHD and found myself "coping mecanisms" (like ordering everything from earliest childhood on???). He said "You cannot have both and You definitly have ADHD". I mean I was not given any explanation, medical or psychological help paid by insurance as an adult and of cause as a single mum with no finished education beeing poor never was able to buy some on my own, so as also if they HAD officially also given me the autism-diagnose I would also not have had much help, but at least understanding. I've just born to early, like a lot of us, and unfortunatly female.

[@j-rocgeo7499]

This is ALL I have ever done. ADHD eh? I better check, I suppose. I'm not sure if I'm ready for another diagnosis.

[@Autistic_AF]

Uh-oh! Haha. There’s a lot of overlap with Autism, so much so that 40-70% are ADHD’ers (maybe even if they aren’t aware!). Sorry for any confusion! -Mike

[@user-pc3ws4mq9s]

I have both AUTISM and Adhd, one of housemates sneaks up behind me that's me 😢, another housemate sits way too close to me I don't like being touched I like to make friends slowly and on my time Sometimes I get overwhelmed and frustrated I often have meltdowns ,I don't like loud noise such as fireworks or firecrackers I hate balloons being blown up. When I am focused I hate when people start talking to me .

[@tc4327]

This is very true! All of what you said resonates with my AuDHD life experiences. I also appreciate your mentioning the LGBTQIA+ connection to Autistic Cis-women as that applies to me as well.

[@seleneavalle1207]

I've been diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was young until I went to a specialist on ADHD and she told me that I may be autistic. Now I feel related with both. I'm craving routine but I struggle to stick on it. If I have an important event or task to do in a day, I can't do anything else, just walk around the house and wait impatiently. I also have many accidents, it's really frustrating. Thanks for the video!

[@hannah51238]

Same! The possibility of a BPD diagnosis was also highlighted for me 😅

[@seleneavalle1207]

@@hannah51238 i'm from Argentina and I think that psychiatrist are reticent to make diagnosis, stress, depression and anxiety are more common and less stigmatized I guess. I'm thinking out loud.

[@hannah51238]

@@seleneavalle1207 it's the same here in the UK really. It is getting better but ofc, because of informative channels like this, suddenly so many adults are like "wait, hold on, am I autistic/do I have ADHD?" And so our waiting lists are absolutely huge. I got really lucky and was seen within 18 months but most wait 3-4 years. But then... Our governments have consistently and persistently under funded our NHS, so here we are!

[@hannah51238]

@@seleneavalle1207 I watched a TED talk that was filmed four years ago and she said in Australia that the stat for autism in adults is now 1 in 50, which is amazing because in the 80s I believe it was thought to be 1 in 200, I might have that stat wrong, but it certainly wasn't 1 in 50. I would imagine that figure has come down again!

[@seleneavalle1207]

Well, I'm living in New Zealand and there's a large neurodivergent community here. I keep my argentinian therapist cuz I'm not able to have a deep conversation in English but I have to tell that having a disability in a different cultural environment is really really challenging.

[@pardalote]

And hi Mike. Another great video. Thanks 🪼

[@Autistic_AF]

Thanks for watching, Pardalote! 🪼-Mike

[@Nagito_Komaeda]

Toby is such a cute cat! I've never thought I could be both but now it seems to be something possible.

[@Autistic_AF]

He really is! He’s turned into a big solid floppy boy. Silver tab cat. You could be! There’s a lot of overlap!

[@LynIsALilADHD]

So im certain about the adhd part, but the 'au' part will only ever be a SD thing for me. (Rural area, nearly 40, ladybits, just... not gonna happen. Lol!) Glad to hear you're not opposed to that whole thing! Its definitely a.... touchy subject.

[@suolainenomena7631]

Thank you

[@Autistic_AF]

Thank YOU ☺️

[@JeremyKingTech]

Comment for ... posterity? How about solidarity! I just discovered your channel and like what you're doing! Keep up the great work! 😊

[@Autistic_AF]

Haha thanks, Jeremy! Appreciate your kind comments and for being here on the channel. I’m glad you like the content so far! -Mike

[@ethanisnotsleeping]

Im confused and shocked. Before 2013 it wasnt possible to have both? My brother is 24, soon to be 25 and he was diagnosed with both in the very early 2000's I believe. Well..technically he was diagnosed with "aspergers", but everyone round these parts recognized it under the umbrella of autism. Im now a little curious as to if the local doctors around here just ignored the DSM or what happened

[@fabio-franco]

I have a daughter with autism, I just watcher your first video and commented that I couldn't tell it apart from ADHD. I am quite sure my diagnostic on ADHD is accurate and now I am researching if maybe I have autism. I am 41. What happens when there are antagonist traits, such as familiarity vs novelty. I love novelty and that's what causes me to keep moving from project to project. I can hyperfocus in such a way, that sometimes I simply skip sleeping altogether (to late to sleep now, kind of situation). Eye contact can be difficult for me sometimes, but I am quite good at identifying allitic cues. I can easily identify when someone is lying, is not interested, is upset, is bored, etc. I don't like speaking over the phone. I avoid social interactions but love having them. I have a blast at music festivals but can't cope noisy environments. I still need to investigate this properly but it is quite confusing. ADHD Tip for your woodworking: Embrace and leverage your need for novelty. If you stay too long on any one task, shift frequently so that novelty is kept fresh, but not too frequently that you can't accomplish anything significant. The craving to come back to it, will come soon enough. When you get home don't feel drawn into something it's time to shift, if you keep going you will end up damaging your interest and increase the odds of never finishing things. Things take longer, but have more chances of completion.

[@kellyofthehead]

Oh great. Add autism to my ADHD then. Makes sense, I was so autistic when I was on meds for ADHD lol

[@SweetiePieTweety]

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria… isn’t one of ehe common popular subjects of content within the community and yet… it is such a player. Would love to hear your own take and experience of this aspect of the Autism lived experiential. Binging and loving your content! Thank you algorithms for sending you to me 👍

[@Autistic_AF]

Thank you! ☺️ And yes RSD is definitely on the list for future video topics. You’re right, it’s hardly spoken about. -Mike

[@DrumWild]

I got properly tested and diagnosed with ASD-1 in late 2017. From then until now, having been through 3 therapists and two psych doctors and a neurologist... and not ONCE did any of them ever mention ADHD. I'd like to get a yes or no on this. I feel cheated.

[@luckysmummy5325]

SO much nicer when yr background lights went out!

[@Autistic_AF]

Oh no!

[@chantalventer2515]

😮 I don't like this comment 😅😅😅 I liked the lights, but at least you catered for both of us at some point 😂

[@joana.en.pyjautiste]

Eh! I suscribe ! Good job from a french colleague 😉

[@heedmydemands]

I had taken a screenshot of this video because i wanted to come back to it and i finally actually went through my screenshots. Yeah i relate to a lot but i relate so strongly to autism. I really relate about being monotropic

[@jennahStar]

During conversations, especially listening, I feel like I cant even focus whenever speak to me. My focus goes to what i shoud say next or if the other person is judging me or I start day dreaming during the conversation a little bit lol. I dont know if this is a sign of adhd. I didn't get a diagnosis.

[@DLusby]

I came across the same article and diagram from Neurodivergent Insights and thought, "Yeah, pretty much everything or almost everything here for me except for the far-right edge." I mean, I guess sometimes I'm very particular about things being a certain way and what not and that can frustrate me or throw me off... but most of the stuff on the right side of that diagram I would say 'not to any significant degree' to or 'no'. I was late-diagnosed ADHD. When referred to a specialist, I was advised to ask about ASD as well, just in case. I was told during the assessment process for ADHD that I very-likely wouldn't meet the diagnostic criteria for a second assessment of ASD... so it might be best to save my money. I was however diagnosed with ADHD and told that some of my symptoms might be thought of as 'autistic-like'. Possibly even subclinical...? It remains a topic of interest for me, not just to try to know where I 'fall' in these comparisons, but also to learn more about autism. It does continue to feel interesting that I find a lot of experiences shared by autistic KZbinrs so familiar and relatable. Except for some talking about issues with 'getting' allistic social cues... Sometimes I don't know whether I should think of certain symptoms of mine as a part of the overlap between the two and thus simply a part of my ADHD... Or think of it as support for a view as a 'subclinical' 'not-quite-there' adjacency to another diagnosis.

[@youneedreed]

I’ve been recently diagnosed at 30 with severe ADHD, and it connected a lot of dots for me. Recently though, my 6 year old was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD though, and it has me seriously questioning some of my continued struggles and behaviors that ADHD therapy and medications haven’t touched, specifically in regards to social situations and routines. If I were to seek a professional diagnosis and get diagnosed with autism as well, is there anything that it could actually accomplish as far helping me in my day to day life? I hope some of you have similar experiences and could help me. Thanks so much!

[@Autistic_AF]

Hello! Congratulations on your diagnosis and finding out more about yourself. I've actually got two videos that might help - one is 5 reasons to seek a diagnosis and 5 reasons not to. They're fairly early on in my channel and both posted at the same time. They're short and to the point and I hope they help. -Mike

[@PhoenixProdLLC]

I think a study needs to be done on trauma + AuDHD. A LOT of diagnosed Adults were born into cruel or abusive families and their differences punished rather than heard. Also, WAY more females fall through the test gaps because they're, frankly, IGNORED. I'm female autistic and totally CIS. I've had no issues with males. That may be because I was raised with and by men so don't carry any particular biases against them, I don't know. The untreated ADHD, to me, really makes things so much harder. SO much!

[@Autistic_AF]

I agree. Sadly. But things have been getting better (at least, by the radio of M:F ASD diagnosis/identification. It’s 4:1 now but was so much worse. And still a ways to go). -Mike

[@PhoenixProdLLC]

@@Autistic_AF You're right. Any improvements are improvements. :)

[@kevinwhite6176]

I was diagnosed with ADHD-H (what it's called now) and general anxiety, when I was 10 years old. As an adult, I increasingly wonder if I also have some autistic-spectrum behaviors as well. I don't feel very monotropic. Maybe I'm more a serial-monotropist... I wrote hundreds of thousands of words of my first novel in a period of two weeks last year; I'll play video games for hours on ends for days and then give up to never play them again without finishing; etc etc. That's very ADHD, it's not that I am hyperfixated on something, it's that I'm in a flow state and I can't get myself out of it.

[@Autistic_AF]

It's a spectrum - I can relate to some of what you've written too! Baldurs Gate 3 - 80 hours in and I just stopped it overnight last summer. Woodworking, I got quite good at it during 2020. Haven't touched it in over a year. AuDHD :)

[@user-sj8vr6vp7w]

Haha you sound like me. I started vaping two days ago and I had to read everything about vapes and liquids and now I’m making my own Ejuice 😂😂😂

[@heedmydemands]

Hi Toby u r so cute, and i guess your owner is alright too lol. No but for real i love your videos. Humans can never measure up to animals in awesomeness.

[@Autistic_AF]

😊 thank you, I think! Haha.

[@pardalote]

Hi Toby 🐱

[@z0uLess]

do you guys know why brides dresses cost so much, or the diamond ring?

[@Autistic_AF]

Marketing!

[@z0uLess]

@@Autistic_AF I dont think its that. I think its the emotional value people put into the institution of marriage. The reason I am asking is that I dont feel these emotions and I dont understand it

[@ajbXYZcool]

I was diagnosed with autism around 12, after I already was diagnosed with ADHD, but they let me keep the initial diagnosis, so I guess I was ahead of the curve knowing I had both? Eh I suppose I was technically diagnosed with Aspergers so that lines up with what you're saying

[@Gitchagoat420]

Hi Toby ! Meow 😻

[@Truerealism747]

Late diagnosed.43 o autism add fybromyalgia ocd

[@trafficface]

I was diagnosed with ADHD but I would like to tack on the Autism diagnosis because I know I have both it’s not hard to see. How do I go about that?

[@Autistic_AF]

Speak to your primary care dr especially if you have MH history and/or search for local psychologists who specialise in diagnosis of autism in adults.

[@augustababeta]

Did you say “stimming the notification bell”? 😂

[@Autistic_AF]

I certainly did! Stim it! 🛎️ 😂

[@dpop8378]

✋

[@Autistic_AF]

✌️

[@xbjrrtc]

Me, a non-heterosexual AuDHDer: 👁️👄👁️

[@pace1719]

OH yea you can!. toss in OCD just for funsies!

[@marcellavlooijen3605]

More auw than wauw😊

[@paulcorfield_artist]

Best thing I've found for my AuDHD symptoms is to be on an extremely strict ketogenic diet. It's like a night and day difference in my ability to focus on my work, literally for the 12+ hours I'm in my studio everyday. Ketogenic diets go back to the 1920s when they were formulated to treat epilepsy with a good degree of success. Behavioural differences were noticed in children with epilepsy who were treated with keto. Epilepsy has links into autism, adhd, bipolar etc. It's been found keto diets seem to benefit all of these various brain related disorders. Been brilliant for me for loads of symptoms. As soon as I eat carbohydrates all of my symptoms come back.

[@Autistic_AF]

Glad you've found something that works - I've done similarily but literally the opposite - plant-based! Happy to see you here, Paul. -Mike

[@paulcorfield_artist]

@@Autistic_AF Keto can be plant based too. Most of my fats come from nuts, seeds, avocado, coconut, mct coconut oil, a little dairy in the way of goat butter, Greek yogurt and some cream. Very little meat in my diet although I like salmon and a steak occasionally. Plenty of low carb veg and I eat some low carb fruit which is usually things in the berries group of fruits. I measure my ketones daily on a monitor and can physically feel when they are in the right zone. The sharpness of mind and heightened senses is quite addictive in itself. Ongoing scientific research into all this will make it more mainstream hopefully.

[@conceptofeverything8793]

But there is a difference between having ADHD and autism, compared to having autism and ADHD. Left, right brain hemisphere and hemisphere switching ability. Also, female and male inherited traits. There's just a whole world to that honestly. Red hammer

[@pace1719]

*looks at his ham sandwich* Gazes back at video....go on....Lol

[@ritaerror7829]

WHY DID YOU ADD UNSETTELING CAT NOISES AT THE END, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@Autistic_AF]

Maybe because there's THIRTEEN CATS IN HERE???? lol - Mike 😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺

[@ritaerror7829]

@@Autistic_AF I dunno! First time there! And you gave me paranoia why am I hearing my cats on 10th floor, away from them ;-;

[@EpiicxFuziion]

AUTISTS not autistics.

[@Autistic_AF]

Yes, you’re right.

[@rockyreyes9320]

I personally don't believe that anybody that has been educated on the history of Asperger's should feel comfortable using that terminology to label themselves. I don't think the idea that using harmful outdated terminology is a good thing just because it's familiar. Am I not going to shame anyone that is ignorant on the history of Asperger's but I will educate them on it.

[@lailakragh5324]

Hey,do u have instagram as well?

[@Gabriel_Blair]

when you said that autistic people have to process some social cues intellectually i immediately went to go tell my girlfriend about it because it clicked immediately and i related so much i then struggled to try and explain what i meant and realized she wont profoundly understand what its like on the inside without struggle and gave up lol suffice to say im confident im autistic 🥲

[@Autistic_AF]

😅 I find text chat much easier for these things. It’s a great, ‘leveller’. Removing the elements that can be difficult to manage and replacing them with something that allows more thinking or processing time.