Understanding Co-Occurring Conditions: Beyond Autism and ADHD
When we talk about neurodivergence, Autism and ADHD often take centre stage. While they frequently co-occur, they are rarely alone in their impact. Many neurodivergent individuals experience a range of additional conditions that intertwine in complex ways, affecting daily life, mental health, and access to support. Understanding these co-occurring conditions is crucial to providing the right resources and advocacy.
The Overlap of Neurodivergent Conditions
Research suggests that co-occurring conditions among neurodivergent individuals are the rule rather than the exception. For example:
Autism and ADHD: Studies estimate that between 50-70% of autistic individuals also have ADHD, though the numbers vary based on diagnostic criteria. I’m one of them, which was a huge surprise to me. It highlighted how little I really knew at the time.
Autism and Anxiety : Up to 40% of autistic individuals experience anxiety, including Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Social Anxiety Disorder. Almost 30% also presented with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Quite often adults are misdiagnosed initially (also me!) with Anxiety, when actually what I needed was to understand my neuro-difference to really reduce my anxiety.
ADHD and Mood: Individuals with ADHD are 3-6 times more likely to experience major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder than the general population. It’s not really surprising though when we are constantly labelled as having “disorders” by medical professionals….
Autism, ADHD, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): Hypermobility, including EDS, are increasingly recognised in neurodivergent individuals, with studies suggesting a significant overlap. I recently read a blog about someone with EDS who noted that they liked to sit with their legs crossed on their office chair. It was like I was reading my own blog! As a Health and Safety Practitioner it isn’t great DSE practice, but I can’t sit with my legs on the floor in front of me. It just doesn’t stay that way!
ADHD and Dyslexia: Around 20-40% of individuals with ADHD also have dyslexia, highlighting the crossover between attention regulation and learning differences. There can also be overlap with Autism and Dyslexia. Let’s also not forget Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette’s which are all Neurodivergent types.
Why Co-Occurring Conditions Matter
The presence of multiple neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions can significantly impact a person’s experience in education, employment, and daily life. Many individuals struggle with navigating services that often treat these conditions in isolation rather than considering their interplay. For example:
Mental health services may not accommodate sensory sensitivities or executive functioning challenges when treating anxiety or depression. What happens? Anxiety ends up worse rather than better and we resort to medicating the problem away.
Workplace accommodations for ADHD might overlook the needs of someone with both ADHD and a connective tissue disorder. Working out the implications of hyperfocus and long periods of sitting might impact joints. EDS can also come with hypersensitivity, much like Autism so lights and noise might need to be factored in too.
School interventions might support dyslexia but fail to recognise the emotional regulation difficulties that come with ADHD. Oh my goodness, I have so many stories around this - read more blogs please! A typical Dyslexia support is an array of text overlays to ease reading, but what about sensory distractions?
By understanding the co-occurrence of these conditions, we can push for better support systems that address individuals holistically rather than focusing on single diagnoses.
We need the systems to stop putting people in boxes and just start appreciating that everyone is unique. We all learn in different ways. Why on earth in 2025 are we still educating like we did in the 1950’s? Ok, so we might not have the cane anymore, but is preventing children from using the toilet or wearing jumpers in winter any different? It’s just a different form of punishment - which really makes no sense.
The Importance of Holistic Support
At NEuRDiverse, we recognise that no one fits neatly into a single diagnostic box. Our community exists to create safe spaces for individuals navigating complex neurodivergent experiences. Whether you have Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or a combination of conditions, support should be tailored to your unique needs. This is why we advocate for:
Access to flexible mental health services that consider sensory, executive functioning, and communication needs.
Workplace adjustments that acknowledge multiple conditions, such as providing both quiet spaces for autistic employees and structured task management for ADHD individuals. We can work through this with individuals and employers.
Educational advocacy for children and adults
Ensuring that schools and learning environments understand the interplay of conditions rather than treating each separately. Children should not be seen as deviants. Earlier today the school system was described as a factory. That was such an apt point. Why are we treating children like we are producing them on mass for sale at the market? Did we somewhere forget that they are actual humans?
Join Us in Building Inclusive Support Systems
By becoming a member of NEuRDiverse, you’re not just accessing resources—you’re contributing to a movement that pushes for real change. Our membership helps fund initiatives that support neurodivergent individuals holistically, from employment advice to education advocacy.
Join us today and be part of a community that understands the bigger picture.
This link will take you to our community app hosted on Heartbeat.
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