Social Difficultiesīoth groups often struggle with picking up social cues but often for different reasons. Challenges may include difficulty organizing tasks, object permeance, memory, focus, decision-making, and regulating attention. Executive Functioning DifficultiesĮxecutive functioning challenges are core features of both ADHD and Autism. Following are some of the trait overlaps. Both impact executive functioning, attention processes, and sensory processing. Trait OverlapĪDHD and Autism, classified as Neurodevelopmental conditions, impact how the brain processes sensory input and cognitive processes. Sokolova et al., 2017 suggest biological pathways involved in attentional control (inattention and task-switching difficulty) may be a key factor in understanding the genetic overlap between these conditions. This theory suggests genetics explain why ADHD/Autism commonly co-occurs within individuals and families at such high rates ( Leitner et al., 2014 Rommelse et al., 2010).įurthermore, evidence points to a strong neurobiological overlap. This hypothesis is supported by twin studies that suggest a substantial genetic overlap (approximately a 50-72% overlap). Leitner et al., 2014 hypothesize that they share a common genetic etiology. There are various hypotheses regarding this common co-occurrence. I suspect that “pure ADHD” or “pure Autism” is the exception, not the norm. A person may not meet the criteria of both and yet still have significant trait overlap. While co-occurrence is common, it is also common to see elevated ADHD traits within Autistics or elevated Autistic traits for the ADHDer. There is approximately a 50-72 % overlap of contributing genetic factors Sokolova et al., 2017. Twin studies and family studies consistently show substantial genetic overlap between the two conditions. It is estimated that between 22-83% of Autistic children meet the criteria for ADHD ( Sokolova et al., 2017).Īpproximately 30-65% of ADHD children have significant Autistic traits Sokolova et al., 2017. Recent studies have demonstrated significant phenotypical, genetic, and neurobiological overlap between ADHD and Autism Sokolova et al., 2017.
So, in the history of things, considering the ADHD/Autism overlap is relatively new. Thankfully this was updated in DSM-5- both conditions can now be diagnosed. Until the DSM-5, a diagnosis of Autism or Asperger’s precluded a diagnosis of ADHD Taurines et al., 2012. Until recently, if a patient presented with symptoms of both conditions, the clinician had to choose which diagnosis fits best. Understanding of the genetic and phenotypic (characteristic expression) overlap of ADHD/Autism is relatively new. ADHD is estimated to have a prevalence rate of 5-11% ( Allely, 2014 Visser et al., 2014) Co-Occurring ADHD and Autism: Understanding the Genetics Overview of Autism and ADHDĪutism is characterized by difficulties with neurotypical social interaction and communication and a tendency to self-regulate through repetition and routine (i.e., special interests and restricted, stereotyped, and repetitive behavior).Īutism is the fastest-growing developmental condition, and prevalence rates are around 2.8 % (among children 3-17) ( National Survey of Children’s Health).ĪDHD is characterized by difficulty regulating attention and difficulty with hyperactivity/impulsivity (American Psychiatric Association 2013). The research points to the fact this is incredibly convoluted and difficult to clinically distinguish between the two. It turns out that in my state of confusion, I am in good company. I believe this speaks to the complexity and messiness that is Autism-ADHD. Is my desk always a mess because of my executive functioning struggles associated with Autism or ADHD? Is the reason my email inbox says 1967 unread emails (most of them spam, but probably some important ones hidden in there) because of ADHD or Autism? Is my impulsivity, failure to close drawers, constant restlessness, tendency to interrupt people or the fact that I’m always looking for my keys, phone, and credit cards my Autism or ADHD?Įven with psychological training, when it comes to my lived experience, I struggle to tease out what is what. I think this feels harder to tease out because I struggle to tease it out in my own mind! Writing it out into neat categories for an article is one thing-but experiencing it in my own brain is quite different. Taking on ADHD and Autism has felt like the most daunting diagram to create out of the #misdiagnosismonday series.
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