AuDHD Explained: 5 Reasons You Have Both ADHD + Autism

Video Description

Think it’s just ADHD… or just autism? It might actually be both. Learn the 5 signs of AuDHD (ADHD + Autism) in kids, teens, and young adults—and why missing the full picture can delay the support your child really needs. In this video, Dr. James Thatcher—a licensed psychologist and director of Forest Psychological Clinic in Portland, Oregon—explains what AuDHD actually looks like in real life, and how the overlapping traits of autism and ADHD can cause confusion, misdiagnosis, or missed diagnosis altogether. If your child struggles with focus but hyperfixates on one thing… if they crave friendship but constantly feel left out… if they melt down after school or seem “fine” at school but fall apart at home—this video will help you understand why. 🧠 You’ll Learn: • What makes AuDHD different from just ADHD or autism • How executive function, emotional regulation, and sensory issues show up in dual diagnosis cases • Why many kids with high masking ability fly under the radar • Why proper diagnosis = better support, more compassion, and less shame 🌐 Need support or an autism/ADHD evaluation? Visit us at https://forestpsychologicalclinic.com/ for therapy and diagnostic services in Portland, Oregon. We specialize in autism evaluations, AuDHD, and helping neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults thrive. ⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – ADHD vs Autism? Or Could It Be Both (AuDHD) 1:27 – Dr. James Thatcher on Dual Diagnosis: ADHD and Autism 2:04 – What Is AuDHD? Autism and ADHD Combined 3:29 – Sign 1: Hyperfocus + Distractibility (AuDHD Red Flag) 5:17 – Sign 2: Social Struggles with High Social Motivation 7:08 – Sign 3: Sensory Overload + Constant Movement 8:48 – Sign 4: Emotional Outbursts and Meltdowns in AuDHD 10:43 – Sign 5: Masking Autism and ADHD (Especially in Girls) 12:00 – Why It’s Crucial to Recognize Both ADHD and Autism 14:58 – You’re Not Broken: The Truth About AuDHD Brains 15:18 – Subscribe for More on AuDHD, Autism, and ADHD 💬 Which signs resonated with you or your child? Leave a comment below and share your story—your experience may help someone else feel seen. 🔖 HASHTAGS #AuDHD #ChildAutism #ADHD 📚 REFERENCES Greene, R. W. (2014). The Explosive Child: A new approach for understanding and parenting easily frustrated, chronically inflexible children. Harper. Leitner, Y. (2014). The co-occurrence of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children–what do we know? Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 268. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00268 Murray, C., & Carpenter, L. A. (2022). The co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of the evidence. Current Psychiatry Reports, 24(2), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-022-01306-1