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Unpacking Neurodivergent Similarities

Recently, I had the opportunity to host an event focused on a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the overlapping symptoms between ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While every neurodivergent person is unique, many share outward traits that look similar on the surface—but come from very different neurological origins. In this post, I’ll highlight some of the key takeaways from that conversation, weaving together scientific insight and personal lived experience as someone who is AuDHD.


A Quick Note Before We Dive In

I’m not a medical professional, and this post isn’t meant to diagnose or treat anyone. It’s simply here to help build awareness and foster understanding. If anything you read resonates deeply or raises questions for you, I encourage you to connect with a licensed provider.


Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication: Different Brains, Different Needs

ADHD and ASD both impact communication, but the how and why can differ significantly.


People with ASD may speak in a monotone voice or use overly formal language. Figurative speech and social rules—like knowing when to talk or how to interpret tone—can be confusing. There may be difficulty interpreting sarcasm, metaphor, or body language.


In contrast, people with ADHD may speak rapidly or impulsively interrupt. Distractibility might cause them to shift topics mid-sentence or miss subtle social cues. Their verbal expression can be enthusiastic and dynamic but sometimes disorganized or overwhelming.


When it comes to non-verbal communication, individuals with ASD may avoid eye contact due to sensory sensitivities, while those with ADHD may struggle to maintain it because their attention is constantly shifting. Body language can vary widely—from stillness and repetitive movements in ASD to restless fidgeting and hyperactivity in ADHD.


What’s important here is that the behaviors might look similar to an outside observer but stem from very different needs or responses.


Gender and the Diagnostic Gap

Gender plays a huge role in how neurodivergence is expressed—and perceived.


People assigned male at birth are more likely to show externalized behaviors (like hyperactivity or repetitive movements) and are typically diagnosed earlier.


People assigned female at birth are more likely to internalize symptoms—daydreaming, forgetfulness, anxiety, and social masking. These behaviors are often overlooked or mislabeled, contributing to delayed or missed diagnoses.


Many autistic women and girls learn to “mask” from an early age—adopting behaviors that help them blend in, often at the expense of their mental health.



Gender Diversity and Neurodivergence

Transgender and gender-diverse individuals are more likely to be neurodivergent, especially in terms of autistic traits and ADHD symptoms. They often report heightened sensory sensitivities, difficulty with traditional social norms, and a deep sense of being "different"—but face unique challenges in getting diagnosed due to outdated and binary-focused diagnostic tools.


This overlap calls for more inclusive and affirming approaches in both mental health and neurodevelopmental care.


Culture Matters

Cultural norms shape how traits are expressed and interpreted. For instance, avoiding eye contact might be seen as respectful in some Asian cultures—but misunderstood as a “symptom” in Western clinical contexts.


Because diagnostic tools used here (USA) are built around Western expectations, people from immigrant communities may be over- or under-diagnosed. On top of that, stigma surrounding disability in certain cultures can prevent people from seeking support at all.


Understanding neurodivergence means considering cultural background—not just symptoms on a checklist.


Systemic Barriers That Still Need Breaking

Receiving a diagnosis is often just the start of the journey.


  • In education, neurodivergent students may face lack of accommodations or recognition.

  • In the workplace, masking, bias, and misunderstanding can lead to burnout or exclusion.

  • In healthcare, biases can delay or deny proper care.

  • In policy and research, neurodivergent voices—especially from marginalized groups—are still underrepresented.


These systemic issues need real change. Awareness is the first step, but advocacy and inclusion must follow.


How can we help?

Start with listening. Understanding overlapping symptoms and the broad spectrum of neurodivergent experience is a key part of creating environments where people can thrive without hiding who they are.


Whether it’s at work, in school, in healthcare, or in your personal life—lead with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to challenge assumptions.


If you’re questioning whether you might be neurodivergent, know this: you’re not alone. You deserve to understand yourself, to access support, and to be seen for who you really are—unmasked and unashamed.


Let’s keep learning. Let’s keep listening. Let’s keep making space for everyone to show up fully as themselves.



Article Sources: Neurodivergence-

•Thomas E. Why critical psychology and the neurodiversity movement need each other. Front Psychol. 2024


Overlapping Symptoms-

•Baron-Cohen, S. (2008). Autism and Asperger Syndrome: The Facts. Oxford University Press.

•Barkley, R.A. (2015). ADHD and the Nature of Self-Control. The Guilford Press.

•Klin, A., et al. (2002). Autism and Social Development: The Developmental Social-Pragmatic Model. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 32(4), 269–278.

•Mundy, P., & Newell, L. (2007). Attention, Joint Attention, and Social Cognition. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16(5), 269–274.

•Paul, R. (2010). Pragmatics in Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(5), 684–693.

•Tager-Flusberg, H. (2013). Pragmatic Language Impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorders. In P. S. O'Neill, K. O'Neill, & A. P. M. D. Smith (Eds.), Pragmatics and Language Learning (pp. 127–141). Springer.


Culture-

•https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-05401-001


Socialization and stereotypes-


Systemic Bias -

.pmen.0000271

inclusion-ethics-in-neurodiversity-scholarship/5BC6558D60DE8A05AB8EB259D81A691A


Gender-

•Ratto AB, Kenworthy L, Yerys BE, Bascom J, Wieckowski AT, White SW, Wallace GL, Pugliese C, Schultz RT, Ollendick TH, Scarpa A, Seese S, Register-Brown K, Martin A, Anthony LG. What About the Girls? Sex-Based Differences in Autistic Traits and Adaptive Skills. J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 May;48(5):1698-1711. doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3413-9. PMID: 29204929; PMCID: PMC5925757. From https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5925757/

•Bölte S, Neufeld J, Marschik PB, Williams ZJ, Gallagher L, Lai MC. Sex and gender in neurodevelopmental conditions. Nat Rev Neurol. 2023 Mar;19(3):136-159. doi:10.1038/s41582-023-00774-6. Epub 2023 Feb 6. PMID: 36747038; PMCID: PMC10154737. From https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10154737/

•Gender differences in restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests in youth with autism Ligia Antezana, Reina S. Factor, Emma E. Condy, Marlene V. Strege, Angela Scarpa, John A. Richey https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aur.2049

•https://psychcentral.com/autism/comparison-of-boys-and-girls-living-with-autism-spectrum- disorder

•Solomon M, Miller M, Taylor SL, Hinshaw SP, Carter CS. Autism symptoms and internalizing psychopathology in girls and boys with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012 Jan;42(1):48-59. doi: 10.1007/s10803-011-1215-z. PMID: 21442362; PMCID: PMC3244604. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3244604/

•Rucklidge JJ. Gender differences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2010 Jun;33(2):357-73. doi: 0.1016/j.psc.2010.01.006. PMID: 20385342. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20385342/

•Warrier, V., Greenberg, D.M., Weir, E. et al. Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender- diverse individuals. Nat Commun 11, 3959 (2020). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-

020-17794-1

•Elizaveta Ignatova, Priyadharshini Balasubramanian, Julia H. Raney, Kyle T. Ganson, Alexander Testa, Jinbo He, Fiona C. Baker, Jason M. Nagata, Transgender Identity and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms: Findings From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, Journal of Adolescent Health, Volume 76, Issue 3, 2025, Pages 396-400, ISSN 1054-139X, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X24005111


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