ADHD vs. AuDHD: What’s the Difference?

Mar 19

Written By A G

Ever feel like ADHD explains some things about you, but not everything? Or maybe you’ve heard of AuDHD and thought, Wait… that actually sounds a lot like me.

If ADHD feels like a constant rollercoaster, and autism feels like a need for structure and calm, what happens when you have both? Welcome to AuDHD—where every day feels like trying to walk in two opposite directions at once.

Let’s break it all down, no confusing medical jargon—just a real conversation about what it’s like to live with ADHD vs. AuDHD and how to make life a little easier for yourself.

So, What’s ADHD?

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is often described as a challenge with focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity—but let’s be real, that barely scratches the surface.

If you have ADHD, you might feel like:

You start 10 projects at once and finish... none of them.
You walk into a room and forget why you’re there. Multiple times.
You hyperfocus on something for hours... and then completely lose interest overnight.
You interrupt people without meaning to because your thoughts move so fast.
You either do everything at once or absolutely nothing at all.

There are three main types:

Inattentive ADHD – Daydreamy, forgetful, easily distracted, always losing things.
Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD – Talks a lot, always moving, acts without thinking.
Combined Type ADHD – A mix of both, which can make things extra challenging (but also extra interesting).

It’s not just about being “hyper” or “easily distracted.” ADHD affects the way you experience time, emotions, and motivation. And no—it’s not something you can just “try harder” to fix.

And What About AuDHD?

AuDHD happens when ADHD and autism show up together in the same person. And let me tell you, it’s a trip.

Imagine:

One part of you craves novelty. The other desperately needs routine.
You want to be spontaneous. But also, you planned your whole day already.
You forget things constantly. But also, you remember extremely specific facts from 10 years ago.

People with AuDHD often describe it like this:

“I love socializing, but I also need to recover for three days afterward.”
“I need structure, but I also get bored of doing the same thing every day.”
“I hyperfocus so hard that I forget to eat, sleep, or move.”
“I feel like a mix of chaos and extreme precision at the same time.”

It’s an interesting mix of feeling overstimulated and understimulated, exhausted and restless, craving connection and needing space—all at once.

ADHD vs. AuDHD: What’s Different?

ADHD and AuDHD have a lot of overlap, but there are some big differences too.

1. Social Energy

ADHD: You love socializing, but you might interrupt, overshare, or miss social cues.
AuDHD: Socializing is exhausting. You might “mask” (pretend to be more neurotypical) to fit in, but it drains you.

2. Sensory Sensitivities

ADHD: You might seek out stimulation—loud music, bright lights, spicy food.
AuDHD: Certain sounds, textures, or lights might be too much and make you uncomfortable.

3. Routine vs. Spontaneity

ADHD: You struggle to stick to a routine because it’s boring.
AuDHD: Routine is necessary, and unexpected changes can feel overwhelming.

4. Special Interests & Hyperfocus

ADHD: Hyperfocus happens, but your interests change constantly.
AuDHD: Special interests are deep, intense, and can last for years.

5. Managing Responsibilities

ADHD: You want to be productive, but you get stuck in “why can’t I just start?” mode.
AuDHD: You might also struggle to start, but perfectionism and needing things to be “just right” can add another layer of difficulty.

So… What’s It Like Having AuDHD?

If you have both ADHD and autism, you might feel like:

One part of you wants excitement, but the other desperately needs predictability.
You get overwhelmed by things you love, like talking to friends or doing a favorite hobby.
You’re always torn between “I want to be spontaneous” and “I need to mentally prepare for this for a week.”
You have super strong opinions on food because textures matter.
You’re the perfect mix of restless and routine-loving, impulsive and overthinking everything.

And sometimes, it feels lonely. Like you don’t quite fit in with the “ADHD crowd” or the “autism crowd.” But trust me—you’re not alone in this.

How to Make Life Easier

Since ADHD and AuDHD pull you in different directions, it helps to find a balance. Here are a few ways to make things easier on yourself:

If You Have ADHD:

Set up reminders—alarms, post-it notes, apps, whatever helps you remember.
Break tasks into tiny steps so they feel manageable and use emojis on your lists to make things fun.
Make boring things fun—timers, music, rewards, anything that helps.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Productivity isn’t everything.

If You Have AuDHD:

Create a routine with some flexibility so it doesn’t feel restrictive.
Use sensory-friendly tools (soft clothes, noise-canceling headphones, dim lighting).
Give yourself social recovery time after events, even if they were fun.
Lean into your special interests—they’re not distractions. They’re a source of joy.

And above all? Be kind to yourself. You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You don’t have to do things the way everyone else does.

Counseling for AuDHD and ADHD

If ADHD never quite explained everything about you, or if you constantly feel like you’re torn between two very different needs, you might be AuDHD.

The best thing you can do is stop forcing yourself to function like everyone else and start creating a way of living that works for you.

If you’re seeking support, Sagebrush Counseling is here to help. You don’t have to figure this out alone—some people see you and want to help you thrive.

Learn more

A G