Yes, a person can be autistic and have ADHD. "AuDHD" is an informal term people use for this. It is not a separate diagnosis: a clinician assesses autism and ADHD separately, and a person can be given both.
Both can involve difficulty with attention, with changes of routine, with sensory input and with feeling out of step with other people. Some traits can be explained by either condition, and a clinician has to work out which, and sometimes the answer is both. We have not found a prevalence figure for how often the two occur together that we can stand behind, so we do not give one.
NICE's guideline on adult ADHD (NG87) says an assessment should look at coexisting conditions, as well as social, occupational and physical health circumstances (recommendation 1.3.4). NICE's guideline on adult autism (CG142) tells assessors to consider other neurodevelopmental conditions and mental disorders that can look similar or sit alongside autism (recommendation 1.2.10). In both cases, the guidance expects the assessor to look beyond the single condition you came in about.
See what happens at an adult ADHD assessment, what happens at an adult autism assessment, and our piece on being diagnosed late with ADHD or autism.
The guidance points come from NICE NG87 (recommendation 1.3.4) and CG142 (recommendation 1.2.10). We did not use clinic websites as sources. Last checked 25 October 2026. This article describes how assessment services work. It is general information, not medical advice, and it cannot assess your individual situation. Reviewed by: Proco Team.