Can Autism Be Mistaken for ADHD?

PostedNovember 12, 2025

UpdatedNovember 12, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Beatrice Holloway, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Absolutely, confusion between autism vs ADHD is one of the most common challenges in neurodevelopmental diagnosis. Both conditions share several traits, such as difficulty with attention, emotional regulation, and social interaction. As a result, misdiagnosis is not uncommon, especially when only one condition is considered during assessment.

While autism and ADHD often co-occur, they are distinct conditions. The key issue lies in the overlapping symptoms, for example, fidgeting, impulsivity, or trouble focusing could stem from either condition but for entirely different reasons. This behavioural confusion can lead to an inaccurate or incomplete diagnosis, which in turn affects access to suitable support, therapies, or educational interventions.

Traits That Can Be Misread Between Autism and ADHD

Here are a few examples of how behaviours might be misinterpreted during diagnosis:

Restlessness and Fidgeting

In ADHD, this may reflect hyperactivity; in autism, it could be a self-soothing behaviour known as stimming.

Difficulty Following Instructions

ADHD-related impulsivity may cause missed steps, whereas autistic individuals might struggle due to rigid thinking or unclear instructions.

Social Challenges

Children with ADHD may interrupt or miss cues due to inattention, while autistic individuals might struggle with understanding social rules.

Getting the distinction right matters because while these conditions can look alike on the surface, their roots and best treatment approaches often differ.

Visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape,read our complete guide to misdiagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Beatrice Holloway, MSc

Author

Beatrice Holloway is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She specialises in CBT, psychological testing, and applied behaviour therapy, working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, and learning disabilities, as well as adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, and substance use disorders. Holloway creates personalised treatment plans to support emotional regulation, social skills, and academic progress in children, and delivers evidence-based therapy to improve mental health and well-being across all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.