Explore the intertwined nature of ADHD and autism, challenges of living with dual diagnoses, concepts of monotropism and neurodivergence, navigating identity exploration, practical strategies for individuals with ADHD and autism, and redefining misconceptions in pop culture.
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Late Autism Diagnosis
Mattia Maurée was diagnosed with ADHD first, then later with autism, a common experience.
Initially, ADHD explained some struggles, but not the feeling of being stuck while peers progressed.
insights INSIGHT
Dichotomy of AuDHD
Mattia experiences AuDHD as two parts wanting different things: novelty and certainty.
This internal conflict requires careful management and balance.
insights INSIGHT
Monotropism in AuDHD
Monotropism, a narrow focus of attention, is a key aspect of both ADHD and autism.
AuDHD individuals are often highly monotropic, experiencing intense focus within specific areas.
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With us today is Mattia Maurée and we’re going to be diving into the experiences of living with both autism and ADHD, also known as AuDHD. I was recently on Mattia’s podcast, AuDHD Flourishing, to talk about subclinical autism (which I was diagnosed with in 2022) so if you want to hear more about that head on over to their show, links in the shownotes.
In our conversation today, Mattia shared their story and the insights they've gained through their journey. Our conversation aimed to shed light on the similarities, differences, and unique challenges faced by individuals navigating both conditions.
And just for a little background on the connection of ADHD and autism, we do see quite a lot of this comorbid condition, with about 50% of people diagnosed with autism also getting an ADHD diagnosis (and just as a note, that percentage doesn’t go the other way because of the difference in population sizes, there are a lot more people with ADHD than those diagnosed with autism). Also interesting to note that before 2013 the DSM didn’t allow for a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD. And that just gives a little insight into how recently the idea of the two of them being intertwined became and because of that there aren’t a ton of resources out there for AuDHD individuals.
Monotropism is our tendency to narrow our focus and is a characteristic of both ADHD and autism and can lead us to miss things outside of this attention tunnel. By learning about attention tunnels, we can work on creating more effective coping strategies that take into account our narrow band of focus.
Simplifying one's environment and commitments to minimize overwhelming stimuli and demands can help maintain focus and reduce anxiety.
Regularly reflecting on what works and what doesn't can help tailor our personal strategies for managing symptoms and challenges, acknowledging that what works may evolve over time.
When seeking a proper diagnosis, it is important to find a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about the nuances of ADHD and autism spectrum disorders to make sure that you’re getting an accurate diagnosis. Who is assessing you can make all of the difference.
Hacking Your ADHD