5 Signs You’re A High-Masking Autistic With ADHD
Summary
TLDRIn this video, Chris, a late-diagnosed individual with both autism and ADHD, shares five signs that may indicate the presence of both conditions. These signs include challenges with social interactions, intense focus on special interests, sensitivity to sensory stimuli, adherence to routines, and executive functioning challenges. Chris explains how these signs manifest differently with ADHD and ASD, and how they can be even more complex when experienced together, often leading to exhaustion. The video aims to raise awareness and provide support for those who might be navigating similar experiences.
Takeaways
- 🧠 Chris shares personal experiences of having both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- 🤝 Difficulty with social interactions is a common challenge, with ADHD leading to interruptions and ASD causing challenges in reading non-verbal cues.
- 🔍 The combination of ADHD and ASD can result in an intense focus on special interests, leading to starting many projects but potentially not completing them.
- 🌟 Sensitivity to sensory stimuli is heightened with both conditions, causing discomfort in crowded or noisy environments and strong reactions to certain smells or textures.
- 🔄 Adherence to routines is a coping mechanism for ASD, while ADHD craves spontaneity, leading to internal conflict when both conditions are present.
- 🤯 Executive functioning challenges are prevalent, with difficulties in starting tasks, prioritizing, and completing projects due to the impulsive nature of ADHD and the focused nature of ASD.
- 🤔 The script emphasizes the importance of understanding one's own brain and finding personalized strategies to manage the unique challenges of having both ASD and ADHD.
- 💡 Chris encourages viewers to share their own experiences and strategies in the comments to foster a community of support and learning.
- 📈 The video aims to raise awareness and understanding of the co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD, highlighting the need for tailored support and accommodations.
- 📋 Chris's narrative provides insight into the daily struggles and triumphs of living with both conditions, offering a relatable perspective for those who may share similar experiences.
Q & A
What are the five signs that someone might have both ASD and ADHD?
-The five signs discussed in the script are: 1) Difficulty with social interactions, 2) Intense focus on special interests, 3) Sensitivity to sensory stimuli, 4) Adherence to routines, and 5) Executive functioning challenges.
How does difficulty with social interactions manifest differently between ADHD and ASD?
-For ADHD, individuals may interrupt often, have trouble focusing, and miss body language cues due to distractions. For ASD, they might focus on specific details, have challenges interpreting conversation tempo, and may come across as blunt or disengaged.
What is the difference between how ADHD and ASD affect a person's focus on special interests?
-ADHD individuals tend to hyperfocus on a new interest often but may not see projects through to completion. ASD individuals maintain long-term special interests, deep dive into topics, and may become experts, often completing projects they are passionate about.
How does sensitivity to sensory stimuli differ between ADHD and ASD?
-ADHD individuals can be overwhelmed by general stimuli like crowds and noise, while ASD individuals have more specific and intense sensitivities, avoiding certain stimuli and being strongly drawn to others.
What challenges does the combination of ADHD and ASD present when it comes to routines?
-Combining ADHD's need for spontaneity and ASD's preference for structure can lead to a messy situation. The ADHD brain may crave change and exploration, while the ASD brain seeks comfort in routine and predictability.
How does executive functioning manifest in someone with both ASD and ADHD?
-Executive functioning challenges in this combination include difficulties with time management, prioritizing tasks, and breaking projects into manageable parts. There's also a struggle with impulse control and the tendency to start many projects without finishing them.
What coping strategies does Chris suggest for managing the challenges of having both ASD and ADHD?
-Chris suggests getting to know one's brain well, understanding personal strengths and weaknesses, and finding what works best for the individual, as everyone's experience with ASD and ADHD can be different.
How does Chris describe the internal conflict between the ADHD and ASD parts of their brain?
-Chris describes an internal battle where the ADHD part seeks new projects and ideas, while the ASD part wants to complete tasks and can become overwhelmed and frustrated by interruptions or the need to switch between tasks.
What is the significance of the phrase 'I was born ready' in the context of the script?
-The phrase 'I was born ready' is used humorously by Chris to express enthusiasm and readiness to discuss the signs of having both ASD and ADHD.
How does Chris explain the impact of sensory sensitivities on their daily life?
-Chris explains that sensory sensitivities can cause physical discomfort and nausea, especially in crowded, noisy, or smelly environments. They also mention that certain smells can be calming, providing a stark contrast to the overwhelming ones.
What advice does Chris give to those who might be experiencing both ASD and ADHD?
-Chris advises those who might have both conditions to understand their unique combination of symptoms, seek support, and find strategies that work for them, acknowledging that the experience can be exhausting due to the constant pull from both conditions.
Outlines
🧠 Understanding Social Interactions with ASD and ADHD
In this segment, Chris discusses the complexities of social interactions for individuals with both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). For ADHD, social challenges often stem from a tendency to interrupt, difficulty focusing, and missing non-verbal cues due to distractions. ASD presents with a focus on specific aspects of social cues, such as eye contact, and a need for longer processing times, which can lead to misinterpretations. Chris also addresses the misconception that a monotone voice or disengaged appearance equates to rudeness or disinterest, emphasizing the importance of not making assumptions about individuals' intentions based on these behaviors. The combination of both conditions results in an even more challenging social landscape, where the individual's mind may be scattered, leading to inconsistent eye contact, body language, and potential misreadings of social situations.
🔍 Navigating Sensory Sensitivity and Routines
Chris explores the sensory sensitivities and adherence to routines that are characteristic of individuals with ASD and ADHD. ADHD is associated with a broader sensitivity to stimuli like crowds and noise, while ASD presents with more specific and intense reactions to certain stimuli. Chris shares personal experiences, such as feeling overwhelmed in college labs due to strong smells, and the contrasting comfort found in certain scents. The video also delves into the challenges of maintaining routines, with ADHD often craving spontaneity and ASD favoring structure. Chris describes the internal struggle between the desire for novelty and the need for predictability, leading to a messy balance when both conditions are present. The narrative includes the impact of sensory overload on social interactions and the subsequent need for retreat to a safe, familiar environment, followed by the ADHD-driven overthinking and rumination about the social outing.
🛠 Executive Functioning and the Impact of Dual Diagnosis
The final paragraph addresses the executive functioning challenges faced by individuals with both ASD and ADHD. Chris outlines the difficulties in initiating tasks, maintaining focus, and completing projects due to the constant stream of thoughts and ideas. The lack of impulse control is highlighted, with examples of impulsive purchases and the subsequent frustration when projects are not completed as envisioned. Chris also touches on the challenges of time management and prioritization, often exacerbated by the need to switch between tasks or when interrupted during focused work. The dual diagnosis amplifies these challenges, as the individual grapples with both the restless drive of ADHD and the meticulous completionism of ASD. The video concludes with a call for understanding and self-advocacy, encouraging viewers to recognize their unique brain's strengths and to seek support and strategies tailored to their specific needs.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
💡ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
💡Social Interactions
💡Special Interests
💡Sensory Sensitivity
💡Routines
💡Executive Functioning
💡Masking
💡Hyperfocus
💡Sensory Overload
💡Zoning Out
Highlights
Chris shares five signs that may indicate having both ASD and ADHD.
Difficulty with social interactions can manifest differently in ADHD and ASD.
ADHD can cause frequent interruptions and distractibility in social settings.
ASD can lead to a focus on specific details and challenges with conversation tempo.
Chris discusses how social interactions are challenging due to a restless mind.
Intense focus on special interests is a common trait in both ADHD and ASD.
ADHD can lead to frequent shifts in interests and projects.
ASD can result in long-term, deep engagement with special interests.
Chris describes the internal battle of starting and finishing projects with both conditions.
Sensitivity to sensory stimuli is a significant challenge for both ADHD and ASD.
Chris experiences heightened sensory sensitivities, leading to discomfort in various environments.
Routines are essential for ASD, while ADHD craves spontaneity.
Chris explains the struggle with routines and the impact on daily life.
Executive functioning challenges are prevalent with both ASD and ADHD.
Chris talks about the difficulties in starting tasks and the impulsive nature of ADHD.
Interruptions can be particularly frustrating for those with ASD.
Chris shares personal experiences of executive functioning challenges.
Understanding and managing the unique combination of ASD and ADHD is crucial.
Chris encourages viewers to share their experiences and coping strategies.
Transcripts
do I have ASD or ADHD or both hi my name
is Chris and I'm a late diagnosed
autistic who also happens to be an ADHD
in this video I'm going to share five
signs that you too may have both what
I'll do is I'll break down each sign by
how it looks for my ADHD brain my
autistic brain and then the combination
but keep in mind that the lines of
autism between ADHD can be blurred a lot
and there can be some overlap all right
are you ready for sign number one cuz
I'm ready I was born ready sign number
one difficulty with social interactions
for ADHD you probably tend to interrupt
a lot and have a hard time focusing
especially if you're not interested you
might move around a lot and because your
brain is in all kinds of other spots you
might miss body cues or parts of the
conversation because you were distracted
or thinking about something else for ASD
you might focus on something specific if
making eye contact instead of the entire
face or you might not make eye contact
at all you may have challenges
interpreting the tempo of conversation
need longer processing time and might
miss implied meanings it's also possible
you might come across to other people
particularly non-autistic people as to
blunt monotone or disengaged this can be
a little bit tricky especially in
professional working environments
attention people at work just because we
are monotone blunt or seem disengaged
doesn't mean we are rude or not
interested you might be wrong so don't
do it to us we don't need it tone it it
back slow it down and then stop doing it
yes even you and you my voice is
monotone right now but I'm not rude
don't assume okay so how does this look
for my audhd brain well social
interactions are just overall
challenging because my mind is all over
the place I don't even know where it is
half the time or how it even got there
where's my brain going next your guess
is as good as mine also my eyes might
Dart around a lot I'm not exactly sure
what to look at sometimes because I get
distracted very easily all the time my
body language is a complete mess I have
no idea most of the time what my face
looks like actually sometimes people
will tell me to cheer up or ask me dude
what's wrong after looking at my face
and it startles me because inside I'm
excited what do you mean Shear up
there's a party going on in my brain I'm
bouncing to every good song ever made
like this I mean I'm really really
really feeling it but I'm acutely aware
that my body language beats to its own
drum and I have to try to focus on what
I'm doing but I often miss a lot of the
conversation I learned how to use humor
to deflect from the times when I miss
large parts of the conversation due to
zoning out or my mind wandering
especially if the person I'm talking to
is really incredibly boring sign number
two intense focus on special interest so
for ADHD you hyperfocus on something and
deep dive into the topic you might pick
up on a new interest fairly often but
you really go all in on the interest and
you can become really knowledgeable in
it before switching Focus but let's be
honest if it's a project you might not
see it through to completion adhders
have been known to get bored or
distracted pretty often for ASD you
might have long special interests and
stick with those interests for longer
periods of time when you're interested
you'll also Deep dive into the topic
often becoming experts in them if it's a
project you really really want to finish
it and complete to the point where
you'll forgo eating drinking going to
the bathroom or even sleeping until the
project is completed for the
combination things can get a little bit
tricky what happens here is I will start
a project and possibly get distracted
and then start another project and get
distracted and then maybe another
project or eight or 20
shy and I might not finish all of them
most of them possibly not any of them
but here's what's going to happen I'm
going to come to a point where maybe
some of these projects are connected and
they weren't finished and I'm going to
feel it it's going to hit me right here
and
here and there all of those spots and
I'm going to start feeling overwhelmed
and I'm going to get irritable and then
angry and possibly have a meltdown
because it's all going to be too much
this idea that all of these projects
that I care about that I want to finish
are not finished but they need to be
finished maybe I can't do anything else
until they're finished but in my mind
they all have to be finished so just one
step at a time
mentality it doesn't come so easy to me
and it can get tiring and frustrating
and very overwhelming and then I'll just
need to rest but I don't want to rest
but I'm tired and I'm exhausted and I
can't finish the projects but my mind
really wants to finish the projects so
there's a little bit of a conflict
there's an internal battle going on
inside of my brain and that can suck
okay sign number three sensitivity to
sensory stimuli so for ADHD you can get
overwhelmed by too much stimuli like
large crowds a lot of noise those kind
of things ADH
deer's sensitivity to sensory stimuli
it's on a broader stance than ASD so for
ASD
there's stronger more specific instances
of sensitivity to sensory stimuli you
might avoid certain stimuli while also
having a strong pull towards other
stimuli for the combination I feel like
my sensitivities to sensory stimuli are
much more intense having both ADHD and
ASD I get sick and nauseous around
crowds heat and loud noise I don't do
well with sudden noises or bright lights
and I don't do well with a ton of
different smells and textures when I was
in college
I had to leave my biology lab regularly
because the smells would bother me so
much I remember specifically when we
were dissecting pigs good God it's stunk
but on the flip side certain smells can
also really really calm me down and make
me feel great it feels like warm water
surging through my body it's a very
pleasant and calming feeling sign number
four adherence to routines ADH deers
crave spontaneity and impulsivity why
have a routine when you can just do
whatever the heck you feel like for ASD
it's the complete opposite we like
structure repetition and routines
deviating from a set routine isn't good
we do not like that at all having the
combination of both ADHD and ASD here
can be oh pretty messy my ADHD brain
gets bored especially around the house
when I don't have projects and it'll
tickle my brain and into thinking I need
to leave my safe spot and go out and do
something explore a new place meet up
with friends usually the sensory
sensitivities pop up and gradually my
brain and Battery starts to wear down
one of the biggest reasons this happens
is I can't filter sounds all sounds are
treated equally in my brain so when I'm
engaged in a conversation I have to
spend a lot of brain power focusing on
what's being said and this is assuming
that I'm in a place that's somewhat
tolerable with people I know well and
I'm also not needing to focus quite as
much on masking but I'll still have to
do some so anything related to my senses
like a chair that's uncomfortable or a
smell that's either intoxicating or
unpleasant it's going to overwhelm my
brain if people get too close to
me or touch me it's going to cause
problems with my brain eventually my ASD
brain can't function and I'll start
zoning out and I have to do this because
the battery in my brain is empty my tank
is running out quickly I think where it
gets tricky is is I was just engaged and
funny a few minutes ago so to everyone
else it seems a little bit strange when
I just start zoning out so then I leave
soon after to go home my ASD brain is
very happy to be home and starts to
relax but then my ADHD brain starts to
kick into gear and overthink absolutely
everything that happened while I was out
convinced that I said something
inappropriate or I bothered someone and
I didn't notice it's like replaying the
scenario in my brain of what I should
have said instead over and over and over
again and it takes forever especially if
I'm convinced something went wrong the
ruminating thoughts
swirling constantly and it's exhausting
and it exhausts me even more and
honestly it's really really hard to
relax sign number five executive
functioning challenges so for
ADHD there's a hard time getting started
on tasks nonstop there's so much
happening in my my brain so I don't know
where to start my brain won't allow
enough quiet time that I can strategize
and pinpoint the starting spot and now
that I'm older I'm more hesitant about
starting certain projects because I've
seen the outcome of diving in without
planning properly sometimes it's not
good and you have to go back and redo
everything so it's a combination of not
knowing where to start and also not
being able to close things out getting
distracted and never finishing the big
thing with ADHD is the lack of impulse
control and sometimes when you're
working on something you need to have
control over your impulses so I'll get
this idea in my brain and the next thing
you know an hour later I'm in the store
buying this expensive piece of equipment
without thinking through what I'm going
to do with it fully I bring it back and
then I run into some challenges and
usually what happens then is I'll push
through a little bit but then I'll get
frustrated and I'll put it aside and a
few weeks later I still haven't touched
this really expensive piece of equipment
which I wasted a lot of money on what
happens is I'm bouncing around because I
get another idea or I think hey before I
do that task I should probably do this
other task first and a lot of the time I
need help or I'm in a Zone and I get
interrupted which is when my ASD brain
kicks in when I am working and focused
and I get
interrupted my ASD
brain goes crazy I am a very monotropic
thinker when I get going on a project so
it's difficult for me when I get
interrupted or if it's kind of
complicated and I need to switch between
different parts of the project my
autistic brain gets frustrated I need to
take a lot of breaks when transitioning
between tasks sometimes I don't want to
take breaks though because I want to
keep going but I need a break or else
I'll get more frustrated and I'll end up
quitting or breaking something or
breaking multiple
somethings so for the combination
executive functioning challenges show up
a lot with both being autistic and
having ADHD I often have no concept of
time or how long things will take me or
anything without help of another person
usually Debbie or alarms or other
outside cues I can get very easily
frustrated or overwhelmed by things that
involve prioritizing or thinking through
all the steps of something or breaking
things into multiple days because why
need sleep when you can just keep going
until it's done but if I don't get
things done my brain has a hard time
sleeping because ADHD brain is excited
to go go go go go and autistic brain
wants to finish it and get it done so it
can be a little bit chaotic for me so if
you struggle with social interactions
have an intense focus on special
interests are sensitive to sensory
stimuli have difficulties with routines
or changes in routines and have
executive functioning challenges you
might have autism and ADHD combo like me
that also means you're probably tired a
lot because that pull from the two sides
can be exhausting get to know know your
brain well and figure out what works
best for you it'll be a little different
for everyone and just know there's other
people like you out there who feel that
same pull in our own unique combination
it's just our special brains doing their
thing what are some of the signs that I
missed do you notice the ones I
mentioned I love reading your comments
and questions so be sure to drop one as
you like this video and please share it
with someone who you think could benefit
from better understanding of audhd also
if you found ways to help yourself with
these signs or other challenges drop
those in the comments so we can all
learn from you and as always thanks for
watching and for your
support but I don't want to rest because
I want to finish the project yes
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