AuDHD: Understanding Combined Autism and ADHD in Children and Adults (Lincoln, UK Guide)
AuDHD: Understanding Combined Autism and ADHD in Children and Adults (Lincoln, UK Guide)
More people than ever are discovering that they relate to both ADHD and autism.
You may have come across the term AuDHD online, through social media, podcasts, or conversations about neurodiversity and found yourself thinking:
“This sounds exactly like me.”
Or perhaps you are a parent trying to understand why your child seems to experience the world so intensely — needing routine one moment, seeking stimulation the next, struggling socially while also craving connection.
At Profound Psychology, we regularly work with children, adolescents, and adults across Lincoln who have spent years trying to understand themselves before realising they may have both ADHD and autism.
For many people, discovering AuDHD is not just about receiving a label. It is about finally having an explanation for lifelong experiences that previously felt confusing, contradictory, or overwhelming.
This guide explores:
What AuDHD means
How autism and ADHD can present together
Common signs in children and adults
Why AuDHD is frequently overlooked
Emotional, sensory, and executive functioning experiences
Support strategies at home, school, and work
How to access a combined ADHD and autism assessment in Lincoln
What Is AuDHD?
AuDHD is an informal term used to describe someone who is both autistic and has ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).
Although autism and ADHD are separate neurodevelopmental conditions, research now shows that they frequently occur together. In fact, many people who meet criteria for one condition also experience significant traits of the other.
For years, however, professionals were unable to diagnose both conditions simultaneously. This meant that many individuals were identified as either autistic or ADHD, but not both.
As understanding has improved, we now recognise that combined presentations are common — and that they can create a very unique profile of strengths and challenges.
At Profound Psychology, we provide combined ADHD and autism assessments in Lincoln because we understand that many people do not fit neatly into one category alone.
Why AuDHD Can Feel So Confusing
One of the reasons AuDHD is often missed is because the traits can appear contradictory — both to the individual and to the people around them.
Someone with AuDHD may desperately need structure and predictability, while also craving novelty and stimulation.
They may:
create detailed routines but struggle to follow them
want social connection but feel exhausted by interaction
become bored easily while simultaneously feeling overwhelmed
seek sensory stimulation in some situations and avoid it in others
This can create a constant internal push-and-pull.
Many adults describe spending years feeling:
confused by themselves
frustrated by inconsistency
unable to understand why some things felt impossible despite intelligence or effort
Parents of children with AuDHD often describe similar confusion:
“She thrives on routine but also seems impulsive all the time.”
or
“He wants friends so badly, but social situations completely overwhelm him.”
Because these presentations do not always fit traditional stereotypes of either autism or ADHD, many people are overlooked or misunderstood.
How AuDHD Presents in Children
Children with AuDHD can present very differently depending on:
personality
environment
age
support systems
masking behaviours
Some children appear highly energetic and impulsive. Others may seem quiet, anxious, and withdrawn.
Many fluctuate between the two depending on stress levels and sensory demands.
Attention and Focus Difficulties
Like children with ADHD, children with AuDHD often struggle with:
concentration
task completion
forgetfulness
organisation
following instructions
Parents and teachers may notice:
unfinished schoolwork
losing belongings
appearing distracted
difficulty transitioning between tasks
However, attention difficulties in AuDHD are often more complex than simple distractibility.
Some children can focus intensely on interests they enjoy while being unable to engage with less stimulating tasks.
Families sometimes hear:
“They can focus for hours on what they like, so how can it be ADHD?”
In reality, this pattern is extremely common.
Sensory Sensitivities
Sensory differences are particularly common in AuDHD.
Children may become overwhelmed by:
loud noises
crowded environments
clothing textures
smells
lighting
unexpected sensory input
At school, sensory overwhelm can contribute to:
emotional dysregulation
shutdowns
meltdowns
difficulty concentrating
At home, families may notice children becoming distressed after long days of coping with overwhelming environments.
This is one reason many children appear “fine” at school but struggle significantly at home.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional regulation difficulties are common in both ADHD and autism, and when combined they can feel extremely intense.
Children with AuDHD may:
become overwhelmed quickly
struggle to recover from distress
react intensely to frustration
experience rejection very deeply
Parents often describe:
explosive emotional reactions
high sensitivity to criticism
extreme frustration when routines change
emotional exhaustion after school
Importantly, these reactions are not about “bad behaviour” or poor parenting.
They often reflect a nervous system that is overloaded and struggling to cope.
What Teachers Often Notice
Teachers may observe:
inconsistent attention
impulsivity
social difficulties
emotional sensitivity
sensory overwhelm
difficulties with organisation
However, many children with AuDHD mask their difficulties during the school day.
Some children:
stay quiet rather than ask for help
copy peers socially
internalise stress
suppress emotional reactions until they get home
This can make identification difficult.
Parents may feel invalidated when school reports suggest:
“There are no concerns.”
Meanwhile, home life may feel incredibly challenging.
At Profound Psychology, we understand that both perspectives matter and often reflect the different demands placed on the child in each environment.
Signs of AuDHD in Adults
Many adults only begin recognising AuDHD later in life.
Some were diagnosed with ADHD but never understood their sensory or social experiences.
Others received an autism diagnosis but felt it did not fully explain:
impulsivity
restlessness
executive functioning difficulties
Many adults come to assessment after years of:
burnout
anxiety
masking
feeling “different”
struggling to maintain everyday demands
Chronic Burnout and Exhaustion
Adults with AuDHD often spend years trying to function in environments that do not match how their brains naturally work.
Many describe:
constant exhaustion
difficulty keeping up with daily life
emotional overwhelm
cycles of burnout and recovery
Because many people with AuDHD mask heavily, others may not realise how much effort is required just to appear “coping.”
Masking and Camouflaging
Masking involves suppressing natural behaviours in order to fit in socially.
Adults may:
rehearse conversations
copy others’ communication styles
hide sensory discomfort
force eye contact
overanalyse interactions afterwards
While masking can help people navigate social situations, it is often deeply exhausting.
Over time, chronic masking can contribute to:
anxiety
identity confusion
emotional burnout
low self-esteem
Executive Functioning Difficulties
Executive functioning refers to the brain’s ability to:
plan
organise
prioritise
start tasks
manage time
Adults with AuDHD may:
struggle to begin tasks
feel paralysed by overwhelm
procrastinate despite wanting to succeed
forget important information
lose track of time easily
These difficulties are often misunderstood as laziness or lack of motivation.
In reality, many individuals are working extremely hard just to manage everyday life.
Why AuDHD Is Frequently Missed
AuDHD is commonly overlooked because:
symptoms can overlap or mask one another
presentations vary significantly
many people develop coping strategies
professionals may focus on one condition but not the other
Girls and women are especially likely to be missed due to:
masking
internalised distress
quieter presentations
Many adults report that they spent years feeling:
“too much for some people, but not enough for others.”
Without understanding AuDHD, people often blame themselves for struggles that actually reflect neurodevelopmental differences.
The Emotional Impact of Late Recognition
For many individuals, discovering AuDHD brings enormous relief.
It can help explain:
lifelong overwhelm
social exhaustion
inconsistency
emotional sensitivity
difficulty coping with everyday demands
Many people describe finally understanding:
“Why everything always felt harder for me.”
This understanding can be transformative.
Strategies to Support AuDHD
At Home
Helpful strategies often include:
predictable routines
sensory accommodations
visual supports
emotional validation
reduced overwhelm
flexible expectations
At School
Children with AuDHD may benefit from:
movement breaks
sensory regulation opportunities
reduced environmental overwhelm
structured routines
emotionally safe support
At Work
Adults may benefit from:
flexible working arrangements
written instructions
quiet environments
clear expectations
regular breaks
Combined ADHD and Autism Assessments in Lincoln
At Profound Psychology, we provide:
neuro-affirming evaluations
detailed diagnostic reports
tailored recommendations
We aim to provide clarity, understanding, and practical support — not judgement.
Book a Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment
If this article resonates with you or your child, support is available.