Whether you are seeking a diagnosis, looking for support, or simply trying to find coping mechanisms, it’s vital to understand the key traits of both ADHD and autism in adults. In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between ADHD and autism, so you can make the best decision for your own treatment or support plan.
ADHD in Adults: Key symptoms
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can be characterised by distinct behavioural patterns of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. In many cases, ADHD is identified and diagnosed in childhood, although it can also present itself later in life for some individuals, particularly those who are high-functioning, or practised in ‘masking’ their symptoms.
Adult ADHD in particular may present more notable characteristics that are harder to manage, and easier to spot, including:
- Difficulty maintaining focus on tasks
- Poor time management and procrastination
- Difficulty maintaining adult friendships and relationships
- Restlessness or fidgeting
- Impulsivity, which may manifest as speaking out of turn, interrupting, or taking risks while driving
- Forgetfulness and trouble keeping track of details
Autism in adults: Key symptoms
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Autism is a spectrum, which means that some symptoms may not present themselves obviously. The traits of autism can range from mild to severe, with no two diagnoses or treatments the same. This means that managing autism effectively is vital in adulthood, to ensure a level of independence that’s suitable and safe for the individual throughout their adult life
Autism in adults can be harder to identify and diagnose due to more subtle characteristics, particularly if the person managed to thrive during their childhood.
Key characteristics of autism in adults
- Difficulty with social interactions and understanding social cues
- Challenges with communication, both verbal and non-verbal
- Repetitive behaviours or strict routine
- Intense focus on specific interests or hobbies
- Sensory sensitivities, such as aversion to certain sounds or textures
Modality offers professional healthcare services for adults, with tailored care, treatment and support for ADHD. Click here to explore our ADHD services in more depth.
Social interaction: ADHD vs Autism in adults
Social interaction with ADHD
- People with ADHD may have a tendency to be impulsive when talking to others, which results in interrupting others without meaning to
- People with ADHD may have difficulty concentrating, particularly in conversations that are in depth and focus on the same topic for a long period of time
- People with ADHD may easily miss important details such as times, dates or facts, which can lead to poor organisation or a sense of ‘not listening’
- People with ADHD can dominate group settings without meaning to, simply due to being enthusiastic
Social interaction with autism
- People with autism may have difficulty understanding subtle social norms and rules, which can result in appearing rude or not interested
- People with autism may struggle with relaxed body language or prolonged eye contact
- People with autism may not enjoy social situations, with a preference for spending time alone of with a small group of people you know and trust
- People with autism may find unplanned activities or unexpected gatherings hard to manage, particularly if it involves new people or a new setting
Focus and attention: ADHD vs Autism in adults
ADHD and focus
Adults with ADHD typically struggle with maintaining attention on tasks that are repetitive, or unstimulating. This can cause problems at work if a job involves repeated tasks, with little variety. This, in turn, means adults with ADHD may quickly lose interest in an activity or task, and become distracted, resulting in extended periods of procrastination and incomplete tasks. At the opposite end of the spectrum, is hyperfocus, a common trait in adults living with ADHD presenting as a period of intense focus for a certain hobby or activity, with complete lack of interest, or attention, to other responsibilities.
ADHD and focus: Key traits
- People with ADHD may experience a notable struggle with completing a project that may include repetitive or boring tasks, leading to a loss of interest or incomplete work
- People with ADHD may find surrounding noises, sights or activities easily distracting, which makes it harder to stay on task or listen to others in a focussed setting
- People with ADHD tend to hyperfixate on one thing, which can lead to hours of ‘hyperfocus’ and subsequently forgetting other responsibilities and surroundings
Autism and focus
In contrast, adults with autism often exhibit a strong ability to focus, particularly on topics or activities that interest them on a deeper, personal level. This intense focus often results in an individual being highly skilled or adept in a specific area or discipline, and It’s not uncommon for adults with autism to excel in fields that use maths, engineering or memory. However, this trait can sometimes result in the opposite reaction to tasks that don’t interest them. Adults with autism will actively avoid tasks that don’t interest them, which can be challenging and sometimes distressing for them to partake in.
Autism and focus: Key traits
- People with autism may have a notable intense interest in one topic, hobby or area, to the point where it is obsessive or excludes other activities
- People with autism may have difficulty changing from one type of task to another, particularly if another task is less interesting
- People with autism may have a notable difficulty in multitasking, but notably excelling in one given topic, task or area of interest
Executive functioning: ADHD vs autism in adults
ADHD and executive functioning: Key traits
Adults with ADHD often struggle with various aspects of executive functioning, which predominantly impact time management, organisation, and self-regulation.
- People with ADHD may have a notable struggle with time management and meeting deadlines
- People with ADHD may have difficulty with tasks that require structure and order, both at home or work, for example forgetting a hospital appointment
- People with ADHD can regularly make quick decisions that usually require restraint or self-control, which stems from difficulty with self-regulation and risk aversion
Autism and executive functioning: Key traits
Executive functioning challenges are also common in autism, though they may manifest differently.
- People with autism have notable struggles with flexible thinking or compromising
- People with autism may show a dislike for change or disruption in a set routine, to the point of visible distress
- People with autism may find it challenging to take interest in, or give any time to, tasks that don’t immediately interest them
- People with autism may have a strong preference for routines, planning and predictability, and an aversion for ‘last minute’ spontaneity
Sensory processing difficulties: ADHD vs autism in adults
Key sensory traits in ADHD
- People with ADHD can experience some sensory challenges that disrupt their day to day life, such as loud noises or unexpected sound/light
- People with ADHD may struggle to stay focused on a task if the surrounding environment is overstimulating and distracting, but not to the level of someone with autism
- People with ADHD can experience difficulty focusing if the sensory input is overwhelming, for example, in a loud restaurant
Sensory sensitivity in ADHD often results in distraction, as an individual may find it hard to focus if something in their environment is overstimulating. This can result in individuals removing themselves from certain situations due to feeling overwhelmed.
Key sensory traits in autism
- People with autism may have a more pronounced and obvious reaction to something sensory, to the point of visible distress and discomfort
- People with autism can respond to more detailed sensory triggers, such as textures, colours or smells, such as clothing, furniture or a perfume
- People with autism may show anxiety and physical distress or coping actions as a result of sensory discomfort, which can include rocking or stimming
For adults with autism, sensory sensitivities are typically more pronounced and consistent, resulting in hypersensitivity to certain sounds, textures, or lights. It can affect daily life and influence everything, from clothing choices to work environments, and is therefore considered more impactful for those living with autism than those living with ADHD.
Emotional regulation: ADHD vs autism in adults
ADHD and emotional dysregulation
Adults with ADHD often experience emotional dysregulation, and it can usually be characterised by mood swings, frustration, or impulsive emotional reactions. It is not uncommon for people living with ADHD to also suffer from anxiety or depression, as they find it harder to regulate their feelings, process emotions, and react appropriately to certain situations. One significant symptom is RSD, or rejection sensitivity dysphoria, which is an extreme reaction to criticism which is often debilitating.
ADHD and emotional dysregulation: Key traits
- People with ADHD often overreact to a situation and become very upset, often with an outburst of anger, frustration or dismay
- People with ADHD will often show traits of anxiety or depression, which is caused by ADHD and has potentially been misdiagnosed
- People with ADHD often struggle to control their emotions due to intense feelings which are almost impossible to bottle up
Autism and emotional dysregulation
Emotional regulation is very prevalent in adults living with autism. It can present itself in emotional outbursts if an individual is overstimulated, uncomfortable, or unfamiliar with their surroundings. Additionally, it can sometimes be very difficult to understand or perceive emotions correctly if you have autism. In social settings, this emotional dysregulation is often misinterpreted as rudeness, or bluntness. This can lead to frustration and anxiety, and even results in a person with autism avoiding social settings altogether, because they are greatly misunderstood.
Autism and emotional dysregulation: Key traits
- People with autism may have difficulty processing emotions to a point where overwhelm leads to an emotional shutdown
- People with autism may experience intense emotional reactions to social or sensory stimuli, leading to increased anxiety or unexpected meltdowns
- People with autism may experience notable difficulty in both expressing or recognising emotion, which leads to social discomfort and frustration
Modality LLP partners with experienced healthcare professionals who specialise in ADHD. If you are ready to start your own journey, get in touch and speak to our friendly team today.
