Autism and ADHD: The Brain’s Wild Duet—and How Parents Can Conduct It
Imagine your child’s brain as a punk rock band, cranking out autism’s steady riffs and ADHD’s wild drum solos—sometimes in sync, sometimes a glorious mess. In a lively Sci Guys episode, hosts Cory and Luke, joined by guest Joris Leen, unpack the comorbidity of autism and ADHD, a duo that hits 37-78% of those diagnosed with either. Picture this: one in three to nearly four in five kids with autism or ADHD might be rocking both. With the DSM-5 only greenlighting this overlap in 2013, science is still riffing on the details, but one thing’s clear: it’s a unique jam. Parents, you’re the conductors—time to tune in, turn up the support, and ditch the outdated “broken brain” encore.
The DSM’s Late Jam Session
Cory drops a bombshell: until the DSM-5 hit in 2013, you couldn’t officially have autism and ADHD—pick one, science said. Joris, who’s both autistic and ADHD (or “AuDHD”), nods: “It’s only this last edition that acknowledged both.” Before that, autism’s spotlight hogged the stage, sidelining ADHD research. Now, estimates soar—37-78% comorbidity—thanks to twin studies hinting at shared genetic grooves. Luke’s guess of 10-30% gets a laughable miss, but it underscores the shock: this duet’s more common than we thought. Parents, if your kid’s got one, don’t assume it’s solo—check the setlist.
When Riffs and Solos Collide
Joris paints the picture: autism craves routine like a metronome, while ADHD’s impulsivity trashes the beat. “I need a routine to feel comfortable, but I can’t stick to one,” they say, echoing countless AuDHD tales. Executive dysfunction—trouble planning, focusing, or starting—strums both chords, but differently. Autism might freeze you in sensory overload; ADHD leaves you chasing dopamine down rabbit holes. Add Auditory Processing quirks—where group chatter turns into a cacophony—and you’ve got a mashup. Joris admits, “I’m hyper-aware of social cues but don’t know the script.” Parents, hear this: your kid’s chaos isn’t defiance—it’s their brain’s remix.
Author Quote“
I need a routine to feel comfortable, but I can’t stick to one.
”
Masking the Melody
Here’s the twist: these neurotypes can mask each other. Joris recalls their ADHD diagnosis process: “Some questions didn’t apply—my autism canceled them out.” Like destructive interference, one trait drowns another—ADHD’s messiness tamed by autistic order, or vice versa. Cory notes a study: kids with both get diagnosed later (over 6 versus 2.5 for autism alone). Why? Stereotypes—ADHD’s “naughty kid,” autism’s “train-obsessed loner”—miss the blended vibe. Parents, don’t wait for a textbook fit. If your child’s struggling, dig deeper—self-diagnosis counts when pros lag behind.
Key Takeaways:
1
High comorbidity: 37-78% of autism or ADHD cases may feature both.
2
Masking muddies it: Traits can cancel or compound, delaying diagnosis.
3
Early action rocks: Support, not stereotypes, rewires the brain.
Rewiring the Soundtrack
Science is fuzzy on causes—shared genes or a mystery third player?—but Joris pivots to what matters: lived experience. “I think with emotions and feel with thoughts,” they say, debunking the “unfeeling autistic” myth. Burnout’s a beast here—autism’s masking and sensory overload plus ADHD’s restless churn can crater a kid. Early support’s the key, not a cure. Cory’s plea: “Some people are terrible—don’t let eugenics sneak in.” Parents, you’re the sound engineers—spot the signs, scaffold skills, and challenge that brain. Neuroplasticity’s your amp; crank it up.
Author Quote“
Some people are terrible—don’t let eugenics sneak in.
”
Step Up or Step Aside
The villain? Silence dressed as acceptance. Ignoring this duet—or waiting for a perfect diagnosis—mutes your child’s potential. Joris’s GP flub—“Are you just rude?”—shows how pros can miss the beat, leaving kids adrift. Parents, you’re the first maestros. Tune into their internal mix, not just external noise. Structure routines with flexibility, teach social scripts with patience, and fight the burnout blues. The payoff? A kid who rocks their unique sound. Start with a Growth Mindset—because believing they can evolve is the ultimate encore.
