There’s Neurological Evidence Indicating a Connection Between ADHD and Autism

Many people believe they have a clear understanding of ADHD and autism: kids with ADHD are often seen as hyperactive, while those with autism face social challenges. Simple enough, right? However, the reality may be more complex.

Take, for instance, my partner, who grapples with severe ADHD. He possesses an impressive understanding of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. While he doesn’t speak Elvish (although he claims he can decode it), he can passionately discuss Tolkien’s disdain for romance languages and how he aimed to eliminate French-derived terms from his writings. He can detail intricate family trees of Middle-earth characters, elucidate the “lost” myths that Tolkien references, and explain why The Lord of the Rings cannot be fully appreciated without knowledge of The Silmarillion. His interests are diverse, spanning from Tolkien to fossils.

I also struggle with severe ADHD, but my fixation is on The Magicians—both the novels by Lev Grossman and the TV adaptation by Sera Gamble and John McNamara. I’ve collected original wardrobe pieces, memorized lines, and amassed a collection of themed T-shirts. My Facebook profile features not me, but Alice Quinn, a character from the show.

Interestingly, I face social interaction challenges, such as difficulty with conversational turn-taking and interpreting social cues and emotions. Like my partner, I use intense obsessions as coping strategies. Both of us experience inattentive ADHD.

ADHD and Autism Share Significant Overlaps

While attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder are distinct conditions, they frequently co-occur and share many symptoms. Research indicates that 30-50% of individuals with autism display ADHD traits, while about two-thirds of those with ADHD show signs of autism. Essentially, there is a considerable overlap in symptoms, including issues with attention, communication, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2017 explored the neurological connectivity in children with either condition, revealing associations between autism symptom severity and abnormalities in white matter organization. Both inattentive ADHD and autism exhibited similar issues, underscoring the shared neurological foundations of these disorders. A Danish study corroborated this by finding that both conditions share genetic mutations, indicating they may share biological mechanisms.

So What Does This Mean?

Many children diagnosed with autism also have ADHD, and vice-versa.
Differentiating between ADHD and autism can be challenging. Personally, I exhibit traits associated with autism, such as struggles with nonverbal communication and social interactions.
It’s crucial for children diagnosed with one of these disorders to be assessed for the other.

I know individuals with severe ADHD who are close to being diagnosed with autism, and many with autism who also display ADHD symptoms. Awareness of these overlapping characteristics is essential for parents. While the debate continues about whether these are separate disorders or variations of the same condition, the evidence of their correlation is compelling.

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In summary, ADHD and autism frequently occur together and share many characteristics, making it essential for parents and caregivers to understand their overlaps. A thorough evaluation can help clarify diagnoses and guide effective support strategies.