Autism + ADHD = AuDHD

There’s a new term circulating in the neurodiversity community, AuDHD. Today, Emily Kircher-Morris is talking with Mattia Maurée, a neurodivergent individual with both ADHD and autism. They talk about how the two diagnoses blend together, one side desiring routine and sameness, while the other seeks novelty and change. They also discuss the challenges of receiving accurate diagnoses, the impact of stigma on neurodivergent individuals, how career pathways are affected, Mattia’s personal experiences of being misunderstood and judged, and the importance of community. The conversation covers many other subjects as well, and it’s all part of episode 226.
Takeaways
ADHD and autism can coexist in individuals, with one part of them desiring routine and sameness while the other seeks novelty and change.
Receiving accurate diagnoses for neurodivergent individuals can be challenging, as the symptoms of different conditions can overlap and mask each other.
Stigma and misunderstandings surrounding neurodivergent individuals are pervasive and can lead to discrimination and mistreatment.
Being twice exceptional, with both ADHD and autism, can result in unique challenges and experiences, including being misunderstood and judged by others.
When Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a factor, it can lead to difficulties in regulating the nervous system, and can have a significant impact on daily life.
Finding a career that aligns with one's interests and strengths is crucial for neurodivergent individuals.
Community support and understanding are essential for neurodivergent individuals to thrive and feel deeply understood.
Click here to go to our Facebook post, where you can nominate a colleague (or yourself) for a free membership to the Neurodiversity University Educator Hub!
Mattia Maurée is an AuDHD coach and host of the AuDHD Flourishing Podcast. Creative outlets in music and the arts became Mattia's refuge through a childhood full of unpredictability. Confronting trauma sparked an interest in the topic, and it led to their Autism diagnosis in their 30’s, as well as finding somatic neurodivergent-friendly methods of working through depression and anxiety. They now share their experiences to give hope to queer, trans, and neurodivergent youth and young adults through coaching, and embrace the philosophy of “feel better first.”
BACKGROUND READING
AuDHD Flourishing website
AuDHD Flourishing podcast
TikTok

[@ahlome0856]

Thank you so much for this episode. I really appreciated hearing from Metia (sp?). As a 34yo audhder, I related to almost every aspect of her experience. I come from a long line of undiagnosed/misdiagnosed audhders, I went undiagnosed/misdiagnosed for so long, that I thought there was something wrong with me, for SO long. When your whole family has *quirks* that are really autism and adhd, it's hard to get a good understanding that no, things are not that hard for other people whom are not autistic or adhd. I also have an autoimmune disorder (and something most likely genetic, just can't figure out what it is 😅) and getting doctors to listen to you, is so hard. So many doctors don't LISTEN to their patients and it is a horrible disservice they are doing for the autistic and adhd communities. People don't understand autism and adhd are HIGHLY heritable developmental differences/disabilities, more so than the color of your eyes. You can get your grandfather's eye color, but those "they only have some autistic traits, but they're not autistic" comments are made when looking at a fully formed adult who probably learned how to cope (in some way) while being undiagnosed autistic. I think a lot of people forget it's only been 11 years since people could be accurately diagnosed with both autism and adhd, and it's been less time that we accurately know (in the autism community online) how stigmatized both are and how they present vastly different depending on gender conformities/non conformaties, race, culture, country, etc. So many people think if you can't fit in, it's a moral failing, instead of asking how can we change to allow you to fit?
Just as a last side note: for sessions with the people who struggle with note-taking, you could hire a stenographer. Courts have them, I think it would actually help improve care for people who struggle in positions to take notes. A pediatrician I know has one. She has the best ratings because she doesn't have to worry about struggling with something that delays care.

[@suribepe]

This is interesting, I’ve found that a lot of people with at least ADHD have autoimmune diseases, including myself. 😅

[@donnellallan]

This helped me a lot. Thank you. 💜