Neurodivergence Cheat Sheet: Autism vs. ADHD
Key Differences in Social Communication, Mimicking, & More
1. Core Definitions
| Autism (ASD) | ADHD |
|---|---|
| A neurodevelopmental condition marked by social communication differences, restricted/repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities. | A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, affecting focus and self-regulation. |
2. Social Communication Differences
| Trait | Autism (ASD) | ADHD |
|---|---|---|
| Eye Contact | Often uncomfortable; may avoid or force it unnaturally. | May forget to make eye contact due to distraction but doesn’t find it inherently stressful. |
| Conversations | Literal understanding; struggles with sarcasm, idioms, and implied meanings. | Talks excessively or interrupts due to impulsivity; may miss details but understands social cues when focused. |
| Friendships | Difficulty with unspoken rules; may prefer routines or parallel play. | Struggles with listening, turn-taking, or emotional regulation but desires social connection. |
| Nonverbal Cues | Difficulty reading facial expressions, tone, and body language. | May miss cues due to inattention but can learn them explicitly. |
3. Mimicking (Camouflaging/Masking)
| Aspect | Autism (ASD) | ADHD |
|---|---|---|
| Why? | Survival tactic to avoid rejection or appear "normal." | Impulsive mirroring or adapting to fit in. |
| How? | Scripting conversations, suppressing stims, forcing eye contact. | Copying accents/slang, matching energy levels, chameleon effect. |
| Consequences | Autistic burnout, identity loss, anxiety/depression. | Social fatigue, inconsistency, rejection sensitivity. |
4. Executive Function & Behavior
| Trait | Autism (ASD) | ADHD |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Hyperfocus on special interests; difficulty shifting attention. | Easily distracted; struggles to sustain attention on non-preferred tasks. |
| Impulsivity | Less common unless ADHD is also present. | Core symptom (blurting out, taking risks). |
| Repetitive Behaviors | Stimming (rocking, hand-flapping), strict routines. | Fidgeting due to hyperactivity, not typically rigid routines. |
| Sensory Issues | Strong reactions to lights, sounds, textures. | May exist but are less central to diagnosis. |
5. Key Overlaps
- Both may struggle with:
- Executive dysfunction (organization, time management).
- Social challenges (but for different reasons).
- Rejection sensitivity (fear of judgment).
- Co-Occurrence (AuDHD): ~30-50% of autistic people also have ADHD.
6. Support Strategies
For Autism:
- Social scripts for conversations.
- Sensory accommodations (noise-canceling headphones, dim lighting).
- Unmasking safely (allowing stimming, reducing forced eye contact).
For ADHD:
- External reminders (timers, lists).
- Movement breaks to regulate hyperactivity.
- Mindfulness training to reduce impulsivity.
For Both:
- Neurodiversity-affirming therapy (focus on strengths).
- Clear, direct communication (avoid vague language).
Quick Reference Table
| Question | Autism (ASD) | ADHD |
|---|---|---|
| Struggles with sarcasm? | ✅ Yes (literal thinker) | ❌ Not inherently (may miss it if distracted) |
| Interrupts conversations? | ❌ Rarely (unless co-occurring ADHD) | ✅ Yes (impulsivity) |
| Has intense hobbies? | ✅ Yes (special interests) | ✅ Yes (hyperfixations, but may shift quickly) |
| Mimics others to fit in? | ✅ Yes (conscious masking) | ✅ Yes (unconscious/impulsive mirroring) |
Final Notes
- Autism = Social communication differences + repetitive behaviors.
- ADHD = Attention dysregulation + impulsivity/hyperactivity.
- Overlap? Yes—many have both (AuDHD), requiring tailored support.