FASD Hub South West share an update:
Tuning in to the co-occurring needs:
Did you know that ‘AuDHD’ is a term used to someone who has Autism and ADHD?
AuDHD is a commonly used term that is not understood in our communities so many of the FASD Hub South West group thought it would be helpful to pass on.
Adoption UK Peterborough Studies has shared data that up to 75% of all children who are in care, and who leave it, are exposed to prenatal alcohol and where ‘ruling it in’ can support early intervention and considering any needs that overlap.
With Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) there are 428 co-occuring conditions where Autism and ADHD are two of these.
‘Embrace Autism’ says:
“AuDHD is an unofficial but popular term used to describe individuals who are both autistic and ADHD. This means that an AuDHDer has been self/formally diagnosed with autism and ADHD because they have traits characteristic of both conditions.”
Research shows that up to 80% of autistics also have ADHD. Despite being so high, this degree of overlap is not widely known.
Source: The comorbidity of ADHD in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Stevens et al., 2016)
“86% of children and young people with FASD have ADHD” Source: National Library of Medicine
“One study found that as many as 72% of children with FASD have Autism”
Source: Mukherjee RAS, Layton M, Yacoub E, Turk J. Autism and autistic traits in people exposed to heavy prenatal alcohol
To learn more about ‘AuDHD’ this website is helpful: https://embrace-autism.com/an-introduction-to-audhd/
Article supplied by FASD HUB South West
Book Review: AuDHD: Blooming Differently
Leanne Maskell was diagnosed with ADHD at 25, but it took seven more years to learn she was also autistic.
Blooming Differently chronicles her turbulent journey—from a childhood of vulnerability and trauma to a high-achieving model and lawyer, outwardly successful but inwardly struggling.
The book exposes the relentless burnout of ‘not understanding your brain and the power of self-awareness in finally thriving’.
Today, Leanne is a successful author, coach, and National Autism Specialist Coach of the Year.
‘More than just a memoir, this book offers practical insights for AuDHD individuals and those who support them—essential for psychiatrists, educators, and anyone seeking to understand neurodivergence.’
Please note that Leanne does not have a diagnosis of FASD but she does discuss some useful considerations when supporting both Autism and ADHD.