ADHD and other conditions
ADHD and autism
ADHD and autism can look very similar, while the cause differs. About 28 per cent of people with autism also have ADHD.
Can be diagnosed together
Until 2013, according to the DSM manual, autism and ADHD could not both be diagnosed in the same person. Since the DSM-5, this is possible.
The differences
| Topic | ADHD | Autism |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | Variety and something new often feel pleasant; doing the same thing over and over quickly becomes boring. | Calm, regularity and fixed routines provide something to hold on to. |
| Stimuli | Often overstimulated by what is happening inside you: a head full of thoughts. | Often overstimulated by what is happening around you. |
| Overlap | The behaviour can look very similar, while the cause differs. That is why an assessment by someone with knowledge of both is important. | |
- Routine
- Variety and something new often feel pleasant; doing the same thing over and over quickly becomes boring.
- Stimuli
- Often overstimulated by what is happening inside you: a head full of thoughts.
- Overlap
- The behaviour can look very similar, while the cause differs. That is why an assessment by someone with knowledge of both is important.
Conflicting needs
If you have both, your needs can clash: autism calls for calm and routine, while with ADHD, doing the same thing over and over quickly becomes boring. Often one of the two is most prominent.
Do you suspect autism?
We specialise in ADHD and do not carry out assessments for autism. Discuss it with your GP. Your GP can refer you to care with knowledge of both autism and ADHD.
Who is our care for?Questions about ADHD and autism
- Yes. Since 2013, both diagnoses may be made in the same person. About 28 per cent of people with autism also have ADHD.
- No. We specialise in ADHD in adults and do not carry out extensive diagnostics for other psychiatric conditions. Your GP can refer you to care with knowledge of autism.
Sources
- NVA (Dutch Autism Association) – Autism in combination with ADHD (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- Lai et al. (2019) – Prevalence of co-occurring conditions in autism, Lancet Psychiatry (opens in a new window)
- Guideline on ADHD in adults (NVvP, Dutch Psychiatric Association) (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
Checked in October 2026.
ADHD and other conditions
Read more
- ADHD and anxiety & depressionPeople with ADHD are more likely to develop anxiety and depression, and concentration problems can also be part of depression. This is how you can tell the difference.
- ADHD and addictionWhy ADHD and addiction often go together, what comes first, what ADHD medication does and when you can come to ADHD Medisch Centrum.
- ADHD and traumaAfter a distressing event, you may develop symptoms that resemble ADHD, such as concentration problems and poor sleep. This is how you can tell the difference, and how we look at it in the assessment.
- ADHD and personality problemsADHD and personality problems, such as borderline, can look alike and also occur together. Where they look alike, how the difference is identified and what this means for the assessment.
Still have a question?
Call us on 020 303 34 65 or email info@adhdmc.nl. You can reach us by phone Monday to Saturday, 9.00 – 17.00.