ADHD and AuDHD

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects how people experience attention, energy and regulation.

ADHD is the medical term used in diagnosis, although many people with ADHD feel that this doesn’t accurately reflect their experience of the condition.
E.g.

  • Attention – ADHD involves differences in many areas, not just attention (e.g. motivation, regulation and executive functioning)
  • Deficit – this is often experienced as variability in attention, rather than a simple lack of it (e.g. including hyperfocus)
  • Hyperactivity – this can be internal or external, and may vary (including restlessness, mental hyperactivity, or periods of low energy)
  • Disorder – reflects a medical framing, though many people prefer to describe this in terms of differences rather than deficits

People diagnosed before 1987 may have been given the term Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Before 1987, ADD was sometimes diagnosed separately from ADHD. With the release of the DSM-III-R in 1987, these were brought together as ADHD, with sub-types (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined).

An analogy coined by Dr. Edward Hallowell (Dr Hallowell ADHD “RaceCar Brain”) describes ADHD as follows:

ADHD is like having a race car engine for a brain. It’s very powerful and it can propel you to win races. There’s just one problem. You have bicycle brakes.

Henry Shelford, Chairperson of ADHD UK extends the race car analogy and emphasises the importance of ensuring environments allow ADHD people to be their best, in “An introduction to ADHD and the workplace” where he says:

Race cars only really work on race tracks. A highly structured environment, designed for them to thrive. They can work elsewhere, but they can get stuck.

Further information on ADHD and the workplace can be found here:

What is AuDHD?

Autism and ADHD often co-occur, with it being estimated that 50 to 70% of individuals with autism also having ADHD (ASD and ADHD Comorbidity: What Are We Talking About?). People who have both may refer to themselves as having, or being AuDHD.

The term ‘AuDHD’, is a portmanteau of ‘Autism’ and ‘ADHD’, in a similar way that ‘brunch’ is a portmanteau of ‘breakfast’ and ‘lunch’, except that ‘AuDHD’ is a combination of a word and an abbreviation.

Many ADHD and autistic traits can be seen as contradictory. For example, the ADHD side which is novelty seeking, and the autistic side which prefers structure and predictability. This means that each one can mask the other, which can make diagnosis more difficult. Due to the differences, many people with AuDHD don’t identify well with being autistic or having ADHD, and feel that AuDHD is like having another condition all together.

Recommended Organisations

ADHD UK

Website: ADHD UK
YouTube: @adhdukcharity

ADHD UK is a charity whose website provides excellent advice and resources, including an adult ADHD screener, Right to Choose provider information and waiting times, reasonable adjustment ideas, and downloadable toolkits. They also have a YouTube channel, and regularly offer free seminars and drop-in clinics.

Recommended Individuals and Books

Alex Partridge

Instagram: @alex_partridge_100
Facebook profile: /Alex-Partridge-100067658115110

Alex is the ADHD Chatter podcast host and author of:

  • Now It All Makes Sense – How an ADHD Diagnosis Changed My Life
    The Sunday Times Bestseller from the Founder of Ladbible and Unilad
  • Why Does Everybody Hate Me?: Living and Loving with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria

Ellie Middleton

LinkedIn profile: Ellie Middleton

Ellie is is an autistic ADHDer, and:

Leanne Maskell

LinkedIn profile: Leanne Maskell

Leanne has AuDHD (diagnosed with autism and ADHD), and:

  • Is founder of ADHD Works, which provides:
    • CPD accredited neuroaffirmative supervision, AuDHD and ADHD coaching frameworks.
    • Resources, workshops, coaching and training for individuals.
    • Advice on Access to Work – A UK government-run scheme to support people with health conditions or disabilities. Access to Work can fund support needed, in addition to workplace adjustments.
  • Author of numerous books including:
    • AuDHD: Blooming Differently
    • ADHD an A-Z: Figuring it out step by step
    • ADHD Works at Work

ADHD Love

Website: The official ADHD Love Website
Instagram: adhd_love_
Facebook profile: ADHD_love_
YouTube: ADHD Love

ADHD Love are active across various social media platforms, founders of the dubbii app for body doubling, and authors of recommended books:

  • Dirty Laundry: Why adults with ADHD are so ashamed and what we can do to help
  • Small Talk: 10 ADHD lies and how to stop believing them
  • The Cherry Tree Theory: A simple guide to stop f*cking up your life