For young adults with both autism and ADHD—often referred to as AuDHD—the world can feel uniquely challenging and exhilarating all at once. This intersection of neurodivergence can bring a mix of heightened creativity, deep focus, and innovative problem-solving skills, alongside executive functioning struggles, sensory sensitivities, and difficulties with social communication.
At The Dorm, we understand that navigating college, work, relationships, and daily life with AuDHD requires tailored, expert support. We spoke with Amie DiTomasso, LICSW, MPH, Director at The Dorm, D.C., to help us understand more about AuDHD might look like in young adulthood and the clinical treatment strategies that can foster success, self-advocacy, and well-being.
Key Article Takeaways
The Dorm: Thank you for being available to touch on a conversation, Amie. The term AuDHD has been circulating more widely in recent months but it’s not an actual diagnosis in the DSM-5. Can you share more about what AuDHD can be understood as?
What is AuDHD?
Amie DiTomasso, LICSW, MPH: AuDHD is a term that has been gaining attention in the mental health community, though, as mentioned, it is not an official diagnosis in the DSM. Instead, it serves as a shorthand to describe individuals who experience both ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) as co-occurring conditions.
While the term is relatively new, its increasing use among professionals and individuals seeking mental health support highlights a growing recognition of this overlap.
It provides a way to discuss the unique experiences of those who live with both ADHD and ASD, shedding light on the nuanced challenges and strengths that come with this dual diagnosis.
Not long ago, it wasn’t possible to receive a diagnosis for both conditions simultaneously. The DSM—our guiding framework for diagnosing mental health conditions—continues to be reviewed and updated as research deepens our understanding of the brain, mental health, and social functioning.
Professionals in our field now recognize that ADHD and autism can co-occur, even though, at first glance, some traits may seem contradictory. As an example, aspects of ADHD, such as impulsivity and hyperactivity, might appear at odds with traits of autism, which include a preference for routine and sensory sensitivity. However, when we take a closer look at how these conditions interact together, the overlap and interconnection is clear.
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What might be common struggles for someone with AuDHD?
Amie: can present in a variety of ways, and each individual’s experience is unique.
That being said, while ADHD and autism are distinct disorders, they share overlapping traits. Some of those common areas of difficulty would be struggles with executive functioning:
- Starting tasks – Challenges with task initiation, feeling overwhelmed by where to begin.
- Sustaining focus – Difficulty maintaining attention, especially on less engaging tasks.
- Stopping tasks – Trouble shifting focus away from an activity, even when necessary.
For example, a client with autism may have intense fixations and struggle to disengage from a special interest. Meanwhile, an individual with ADHD may also experience hyperfocus, but they often require novelty and may shift interests more quickly.
Another key component of AuDHD may be sensory processing differences. Both ADHD and autism are neurodevelopmental disorders, meaning individuals with AuDHD often experience sensory input and processing in unique ways. This can lead to:
- Sensory overload – Feeling overwhelmed by environmental stimuli at work, school or during social events.
- Sensory-seeking behaviors – Actively engaging with certain stimuli for regulation, such as fidgeting.
- Differences in motor planning.
Social communication challenges are another common feature. Many individuals with AuDHD deeply desire connection and relationships but may struggle with aspects of social interaction, such as:
- Conversational flow – Finding it difficult to engage in the back-and-forth rhythm of dialogue.
- Mindful communication – Understanding and responding to social cues, tone, and body language.
- Connecting with peers – Experiencing challenges in forming and maintaining friendships, despite wanting social engagement.
Thankfully this is something that can be actively worked on in an immersive treatment community like at The Dorm.
Last, I’d add that a few more challenges young adults with AuDHD might juggle include:
- Emotional regulation – Individuals with AuDHD may experience intense emotional fluctuations and benefit from skills that help them build awareness around their feelings and navigate these ups and downs effectively.
- Exhibit OCD-like tendencies, such as rigid routines or repetitive thought patterns, adding another layer to their experience.
Ultimately, AuDHD is a highly individualized experience, blending characteristics of both ADHD and autism in ways that vary from person to person. Recognizing these patterns will be an important part of any treatment plan which is best done by clinical experts with experience working with this population.
What does effective treatment support for young adults with AuDHD look like?
Amie: It’s essential to help any young adult define their own challenges—what is causing stress versus what they are simply managing. What are their goals? What’s holding them back? Once we have that baseline, solutions-focused treatment interventions that can be helpful include:
- Executive function and DBT skill-building support.
- A DBT-based executive functioning group that focuses on building key skills like interpersonal effectiveness can be very supportive.
- Additionally, behavioral activation comes to mind – there is value in helping these clients create structure and routine—one that provides guidance without being overly rigid, allowing for flexibility while maintaining a sense of stability. This can be supported through clinical coaching which is provided at The Dorm by a licensed clinician.
How does The Dorm’s mental health treatment approach support young adults with AuDHD?
Amie: The Dorm excels in supporting a diverse population. Our clients join us with so many different clinical diagnoses and treatment backgrounds. We are very adept and used to working with co-occurring and multi-diagnostic presentations and treating each person with a very individualized lens. We can acknowledge the intersection of experiences across different areas of life—whether in social settings, academics, work, family dynamics, or how someone is exploring their neurodivergent identity.
In addition to the clinical interventions I already mentioned, a supportive focus we do really well is helping clients develop mindfulness-based skills and stress reduction skills. Mindfulness is deeply integrated into many therapeutic interventions in general, from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to executive functioning support. It’s a foundation tool.
By helping clients foster insight into their own patterns—both in thinking and behavior—it can help young adults navigating neurodevelopmental challenges experience better self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. It’s a multidimensional and mindful approach that empowers individuals to engage in both acceptance and change work, ultimately supporting lasting growth and well-being.
Thank you, Amie!
At The Dorm, 93% of our clients join us with multiple diagnoses, becoming valued members of a diverse, mixed-milieu community. As we continue to learn more about neurodiversity and the nuances of dual diagnoses, we believe that a tailored, individualized approach within a diverse treatment setting leads to long-term outcomes, imitating the diversity and rich community experiences that clients can expect during life after treatment. Learn more about who we treat and our unique community model.
