Six signs you don’t have ADHD or autism but could actually have both

A woman who is neurodivergent has revealed the six signs that mean you might have both attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.

Content creator Laurie Faulkner posts videos on her Instagram (@_lauriefaulkner) and TikTok (@_lauriefaulkner_) pages about what it's like to live with ADHD.

As she navigates her life with the neurodevelopmental condition - which makes it hard to focus, stay organised, and control impulses - she tries 'to help you with yours' along the way.

Now, according to the NHS, autism 'does not mean you have an illness or disease'. It instead 'means your brain works in a different way from other people'.

The health service explains that autism 'is a spectrum', meaning that 'everybody with autism is different'.

In a recent TikTok, Laurie shared the 'six signs you don't have ADHD or autism, but instead you have both'.

Six signs you could have both ADHD and autism

You feel like two halves

"One half is too much, too intense. The other half is too quiet, too shy. So you end up calling yourself an extroverted introvert," Laurie says.

You crave routine but can’t always handle control

You love structure and predictability, but too much control can make you rebel or freeze, the creator notes.

Some days you hyper-focus for hours, and on other days, you feel overwhelmed and can’t start anything.

You crave stimulation but are easily overwhelmed

Laurie says this is when novelty excites you, but certain sounds, smells, or textures can feel unbearable.

You want engagement, but some experiences are just too much.

Social interactions are confusing

"You're chatty and expressive, but often you feel confused and drained by social interactions," the TikToker adds.

You’re a master at mirroring, but it can be exhausting

People think you’re socially skilled because you mimic cues and responses well. But when you’re alone, you over analyse interactions and rarely feel fully authentic in groups.

You’re too much, and too quiet

Laurie explains: "You're too much. You're too quiet. You're too intense. When really, you're just neurodivergent in more than one way."

When it comes to ADHD, if symptoms aren't picked up at an early age, there's a good chance that you won't know if you have it as an adult.

The NHS says adults with ADHD will tend to have problems with organisation, time management, following instructions, focusing, completing tasks and coping with stress.

While the exact cause of ADHD is unknown, research has shown that it can run in families.

It's important to note that experiencing these six signs doesn't necessarily mean you have ADHD or autism, and you should refer to a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis.