AuDHD: No two brains are the same
One part of the brain craves routine and the other demands novelty. This is the reality of having both Autism and ADHD traits, known as AuDHD.
The experience sits on a wide spectrum. Some days, one part may be more dominant than the other.
You could have traits that hardly impair your daily life or you may be managing because you've developed effective systems. Sometimes, you don't even realise those systems are working overtime to compensate for your traits.
The journey towards understanding is deeply personal. What works for one person may be different for you.
We’re here to help you find the language, systems and tools that work for you.
Competing priorities
The core needs of ADHD and Autism can feel like they are in competition rather than collaboration.
Routine and novelty: Your Autistic self may rely on rigid, predictable routines to function and feel safe. But your ADHD self seeks novelty, stimulation, and dopamine. This can cause you to abandon the routine for the next interesting project. You could try planned spontaneity e.g. on Thursday at 2 pm I will give myself time and space to practice a hobby.
Sensory overload and hyperfocus: It's a tricky paradox. The sensory noise that helps you focus (like music) can be the very thing that causes a shutdown (like an unexpected loud noise). What looks like zoning out can be your nervous system trying to ease the stress so you can focus again.
Approach and retreat: You may be motivated to connect but struggle with processing subtle social cues. It’s the "I want to go, but wait, no I don't" loop.
Internal noise
You know the feeling: trying to pay attention to a conversation while overthinking everything. While feeling the pressure to hold your tongue behind your teeth. Because there is no way to catch the words once they slip out.
In so many ways, the world isn’t designed to support unique brains. The pressure is upon you to constantly adapt, curb your honesty and mask behaviours to fit in.
Masking can be exhausting. That constant, conscious effort of trying to edit yourself. You may be excelling in some areas, only to find yourself depleted in others.
The drain is real, and it’s time to find a safe space to finally take some of that heavy load off.
Ready to find your way forward?
The journey to understanding AuDHD is complex but you don't have to navigate it alone. Sometimes you need someone in your corner to support you along the way.
