5 signs you have ADHD and autism

Yo Samdy Sam
30 Oct 202208:50
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video explores the overlap between autism and ADHD, highlighting that 30-80% of autistic individuals also have ADHD. Despite the lack of professional literature on dual diagnosis and no overlapping criteria in the DSM, the presenter, Sam, discusses five signs that may indicate having both conditions. These include experiencing inner conflict between contradictory traits, traits appearing to balance each other out, having a variety of special interests, different versions of oneself emerging in different settings, and relating to others with similar dual diagnoses. Sam emphasizes the importance of understanding these nuances for those who may identify with aspects of both conditions.

Takeaways
  • 🧠 Studies indicate a significant overlap between autism and ADHD, with 30-80% of autistic individuals also having ADHD.
  • 🔍 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) does not address the overlap between autism and ADHD despite their shared characteristics.
  • 🚫 Historically, a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD was not possible, leading to a lack of professional literature on the co-occurrence of both conditions.
  • 🌐 The internet has facilitated the sharing of personal experiences for those with both conditions, providing insight into what it's like to live with both autism and ADHD.
  • 🤔 The speaker, Sam, suggests five signs that might indicate the presence of both autism and ADHD in an individual.
  • 🔄 Inner conflict between contradictory traits is common, such as a desire for order yet an inability to maintain it, or experiencing both overstimulation and understimulation.
  • ⚖️ Traits may seem to balance each other out, making the conditions less obvious, such as social awkwardness being overshadowed by sociability.
  • 🎯 Individuals with both conditions might have a wider variety of special interests and hyperfixations, with some being intense but short-lived.
  • 🏠 Different versions of oneself may emerge in different environments, with autistic traits being more noticeable outside the home and ADHD traits more dominant within it.
  • 🤝 Relating to others who also have both conditions can be a sign of having both autism and ADHD, as it's an important but often overlooked aspect of the human experience.
  • 💬 The speaker encourages viewers to share their experiences and inner conflicts in the comments, fostering a sense of community and understanding.
Q & A

  • What is the estimated percentage of autistic individuals who also have ADHD?

    -Studies suggest that between 30 to 80 percent of autistic people also have ADHD.

  • Why might the number of individuals with ADHD who are also autistic appear lower?

    -The number seems slightly lower possibly because ADHD might be more prevalent or more frequently diagnosed on a population level.

  • Why doesn't the DSM mention the overlap between autism and ADHD?

    -The DSM, the diagnostic manual used by psychologists, does not discuss this overlap, even though there is a significant overlap between the two conditions, especially regarding executive functioning issues.

  • Why was it historically difficult to get a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD?

    -Until recently, if a person had one diagnosis, they couldn't be diagnosed with the other, which has resulted in very little professional literature about having both conditions.

  • What is the role of the internet in understanding the overlap between autism and ADHD?

    -The internet allows people from around the world to share their lived experiences, providing insights into what it's like to have both autism and ADHD.

  • What is the main purpose of the video mentioned in the script?

    -The video aims to discuss the signs that someone may have both autism and ADHD, as well as to provide a starting point for individuals who suspect they may have both conditions.

  • What is the first sign discussed in the video that may indicate someone has both autism and ADHD?

    -The first sign is a constant conflict between apparently contradictory traits, which can lead to frequent frustration and seemingly hypocritical behavior.

  • How might the traits of autism and ADHD balance each other out?

    -In some cases, the opposing actions of autistic and ADHD traits can balance each other out or even conceal each other, making the struggles less obvious.

  • What is a special interest or hyperfixation, and how might it differ for someone with both autism and ADHD?

    -Special interests or hyperfixations are intense obsessions with particular topics or activities. For someone with both autism and ADHD, they may have more intense interests for shorter periods or a mixture of ongoing and temporary interests.

  • How do different environments affect the presentation of autistic and ADHD traits?

    -Different versions of oneself may come out in different environments. For example, autistic traits may be more noticeable outside the home due to sensory and social challenges, while ADHD traits may be more dominant at home in a controlled environment.

  • What is the significance of relating to others who have both autism and ADHD?

    -Relating to others with a dual diagnosis can be an important aspect of understanding one's own condition and is often overlooked by professionals. It can provide a sense of connection and validation.

  • Why might someone with a dual diagnosis feel like an 'imposter' among other autistic individuals?

    -They might feel like an 'imposter' because they may not completely align with the typical presentation of autism, such as being more sociable and talkative due to their ADHD traits.

  • What is the creator of the video's background, and what is their personal experience with autism and ADHD?

    -The creator, Sam, has a psychology degree and was diagnosed with autism in their early 30s. They later discovered they also have ADHD and now make videos about autism, neurodiversity, and their personal experiences.

Outlines
00:00
🤔 Co-Occurrence of Autism and ADHD

This paragraph discusses the significant overlap between autism and ADHD, with studies indicating that 30 to 80 percent of autistic individuals also have ADHD. It highlights the lack of discussion in the DSM about this overlap and the absence of dual diagnosis until recently. The speaker, Sam, introduces the topic and their personal experience with both conditions, emphasizing the unique challenges and the limited professional literature on the subject. Sam offers five signs that might indicate the presence of both conditions, starting with the constant conflict between contradictory traits.

05:05
🔄 Balancing Traits and Special Interests

The second paragraph delves into the balancing act of traits that can occur in individuals with both autism and ADHD. It describes how these opposing traits can sometimes mask each other, leading to a delayed diagnosis. Sam shares personal anecdotes about their own experiences with social interactions and maintaining a tidy home environment. The paragraph also explores the concept of special interests and hyperfixations, suggesting that individuals with both conditions might have a wider variety of intense interests that change frequently, alongside longer-term interests.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Autism
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. In the video, it is mentioned that 30-80% of autistic people also have ADHD, indicating a significant overlap between the two conditions. The script discusses how having both conditions can lead to a complex presentation of traits that may not align with traditional expectations of either disorder.
💡ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults, impacting attention, impulse control, and hyperactivity. The video script highlights the prevalence of ADHD and its overlap with autism, noting that individuals with both conditions may exhibit a range of symptoms that can be confusing and sometimes contradictory.
💡DSM
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals. The script points out that the DSM does not discuss the overlap between autism and ADHD, despite the significant co-occurrence of these conditions. This lack of information in the DSM may contribute to the challenges in diagnosing and understanding individuals with both conditions.
💡Executive Functioning
Executive functioning refers to the cognitive processes that enable us to plan, initiate, monitor, and adjust goal-directed behavior. The video script mentions that there is a great deal of overlap between autism and ADHD, especially when it comes to executive functioning issues. This suggests that individuals with both conditions may struggle with organizing, prioritizing, and managing their behaviors and emotions.
💡Dual Diagnosis
A dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of two mental health conditions in one individual. Historically, the script notes, it was not possible to receive a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD. This has resulted in a lack of professional literature on what it is like to have both conditions, making the internet and personal experiences crucial for understanding the lived reality of those with dual diagnoses.
💡Inner Conflict
Inner conflict refers to the struggle one experiences when faced with opposing desires, needs, or values. In the context of the video, having both autism and ADHD can lead to a constant inner conflict, as the individual may have traits that are seemingly contradictory. For example, they might crave order and routine but be unable to maintain it, leading to frustration.
💡Special Interests
Special interests, in the context of autism, are intense, focused interests that individuals with autism may have. The script suggests that individuals with both autism and ADHD may have a larger variety of special interests and hyperfixations, which can be both intense and short-lived, reflecting the ADHD trait of quickly shifting focus.
💡Hyperfixation
Hyperfixation is a term used to describe an intense, obsessive focus on a particular subject or activity, often associated with ADHD. The video mentions that individuals with both conditions might have hyperfixations that are more intense and shorter in duration, as they may switch interests rapidly to utilize up the dopamine before moving on to another fixation.
💡Sensory Environment
The sensory environment refers to the stimuli that an individual encounters through their senses, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. The script discusses how the sensory environment outside the home can be challenging for individuals with autism, as it is less predictable and can lead to sensory overload.
💡Social Recovery Time
Social recovery time is the period needed for individuals, particularly those with social challenges like autism or ADHD, to recharge after engaging in social activities. The video script mentions that individuals with both conditions may require more social recovery time than those with only ADHD, as they may find social interactions more draining.
💡Neurodivergent
Neurodivergent is a term used to describe individuals whose neurological development and functioning differ from what is considered neurotypical. In the video, the term is used to refer to people with autism, ADHD, or both, and the script suggests that neurodivergent individuals may seek out and relate to one another, either consciously or unconsciously.
Highlights

30 to 80 percent of autistic people also have ADHD, indicating a significant overlap.

ADHD may be more prevalent or more diagnosed than autism on a population level.

The DSM diagnostic manual does not discuss the overlap between autism and ADHD.

Until recently, a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD was not possible.

Professional literature lacks information on the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD.

Internet allows for the sharing of lived experiences of those with both conditions.

The speaker, Sam, was diagnosed with autism and later ADHD in their early 30s.

Five signs are discussed that may indicate the presence of both autism and ADHD.

Inner conflict between contradictory traits is a sign of having both conditions.

Traits of autism and ADHD may balance each other out.

Individuals with both conditions may have a larger variety of special interests.

Different versions of oneself may emerge in different environments.

Relating to others with both conditions can be a sign of having both autism and ADHD.

Neurodivergent people often seek each other out, which may indicate a dual diagnosis.

The video serves as a starting point for understanding the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD.

The speaker encourages viewers to share their experiences of inner conflict.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
ADHDAutismNeurodiversityDual DiagnosisInner ConflictSpecial InterestsSocial DynamicsPersonality TraitsSelf-ReflectionYouTube Video