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Explaining AuDHD: The expert-led guide to Autism and ADHD Co-concurrence
'A masterpiece. On behalf of everyone grappling to understand their unique brains, thank you! Truly life changing' Alex Partridge, host of ADHD Chatter and bestselling author of Now It All Makes Sense
What is it like to experience both Autism and ADHD? You’ve probably heard of Autism or ADHD by now. Often thought of as contradictory conditions, much of the discourse around both focuses on their neurological differences. But what about those diagnosed with both? Where do the two conditions intersect and overlap?
Explaining AuDHD is a straight-talking guide for those trying to understand Autism and ADHD as a combined diagnosis. Using real-life stories of people living with AuDHD, this book offers advice for those grappling with a diagnosis, and provides a framework for readers to advocate for themselves and discuss it with loved ones.
Written in accessible prose by Autism and ADHD expert Dr Khurram Sadiq, Explaining AuDHD is a vital resource for anyone questioning their own neurodiversity, undergoing assessment, or making sense of their recent diagnosis..
'This is going to be a game changer for so many people in the best way' Ruth Liptrot, Channel Five News
What is it like to experience both Autism and ADHD? You’ve probably heard of Autism or ADHD by now. Often thought of as contradictory conditions, much of the discourse around both focuses on their neurological differences. But what about those diagnosed with both? Where do the two conditions intersect and overlap?
Explaining AuDHD is a straight-talking guide for those trying to understand Autism and ADHD as a combined diagnosis. Using real-life stories of people living with AuDHD, this book offers advice for those grappling with a diagnosis, and provides a framework for readers to advocate for themselves and discuss it with loved ones.
Written in accessible prose by Autism and ADHD expert Dr Khurram Sadiq, Explaining AuDHD is a vital resource for anyone questioning their own neurodiversity, undergoing assessment, or making sense of their recent diagnosis..
'This is going to be a game changer for so many people in the best way' Ruth Liptrot, Channel Five News
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 3, 2025
116 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Khurram Sadiq
5 books4 followersDr Khurram Sadiq is a Consultant Neurodevelopmental Psychiatrist and leads the ADHD services at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and the South East London Integrated Care System. Specializing in autism and ADHD, he is an expert in neurodivergent care pathways and a global speaker on the topic, having delivered six TEDx talks and a speech at United Nations Vienna about neurodiversity. His niche areas are neurodevelopmental conditions, gaming, social media and compassionate leadership.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 4, 2025
*This is based off an uncorrected proof I was sent by the publisher. I have read the sample on Amazon of the published book which appears the same for the first part, but I can’t guarantee that later parts have not changed*
It is great that psychiatrists and the medical field are recognising AuDHD more. And to have AuDHD professionals like Dr Khurram Sadiq assessing for AuDHD is great. However, this book would have benefitted from a sensitivity read from other AuDHDers, and a better understanding of generally accepted language and facts around neurodivergence and autism in-particular.
Some specific points:
-> the word ‘neurodivergent’ was not coined by Judy Singer. It was coined by Kassiane Asasumasu, a neurodivergent activist, in 2000. Judy Singer is widely credited for coining neurodiversity, though we now know that isn’t true - it was a collective effort.
-> the words neurodiverse and neurodivergent are not interchangeable. The world is neurodiverse, an individual is not.
-> a neurodiversity affirming perspective would not include describing autism as an ‘impairment’ in social interactions but rather describing this as differences which can bring about challenges.
-> functioning labels in autism is not great - support needs would be a better descriptor.
-> making statements attributing things to all autistic people e.g. being unable to communicate feelings or being unlikely to feel regret is not true for all
-> it is not just psychologists and psychiatrists who carry out neurodevelopmental assessments. Mental health nurses, speech and language therapists, specialty doctors etc also do.
-> autism ‘treatments’ - autism can’t be treated and behavioural interventions designed to ‘improve communication and reduce repetitive behaviours’ isn’t necessarily a good thing
What I liked:
-> the discussion into the genetic and neurobiological research revealing overlap and possible shared roots between autism and ADHD
-> the emphasis placed on importance of not assessing for ADHD/autism separately but rather taking more dimensional approach to capture full range of an individuals’ neurodivergent profile
-> that access to diagnosis and recognition of AuDHD is important
-> calling for diagnostic frameworks that ensure no one with AuDHD is left behind because their ‘symptoms’ don’t fit neatly into currently existing separate categories of autism & ADHD
It is great that psychiatrists and the medical field are recognising AuDHD more. And to have AuDHD professionals like Dr Khurram Sadiq assessing for AuDHD is great. However, this book would have benefitted from a sensitivity read from other AuDHDers, and a better understanding of generally accepted language and facts around neurodivergence and autism in-particular.
Some specific points:
-> the word ‘neurodivergent’ was not coined by Judy Singer. It was coined by Kassiane Asasumasu, a neurodivergent activist, in 2000. Judy Singer is widely credited for coining neurodiversity, though we now know that isn’t true - it was a collective effort.
-> the words neurodiverse and neurodivergent are not interchangeable. The world is neurodiverse, an individual is not.
-> a neurodiversity affirming perspective would not include describing autism as an ‘impairment’ in social interactions but rather describing this as differences which can bring about challenges.
-> functioning labels in autism is not great - support needs would be a better descriptor.
-> making statements attributing things to all autistic people e.g. being unable to communicate feelings or being unlikely to feel regret is not true for all
-> it is not just psychologists and psychiatrists who carry out neurodevelopmental assessments. Mental health nurses, speech and language therapists, specialty doctors etc also do.
-> autism ‘treatments’ - autism can’t be treated and behavioural interventions designed to ‘improve communication and reduce repetitive behaviours’ isn’t necessarily a good thing
What I liked:
-> the discussion into the genetic and neurobiological research revealing overlap and possible shared roots between autism and ADHD
-> the emphasis placed on importance of not assessing for ADHD/autism separately but rather taking more dimensional approach to capture full range of an individuals’ neurodivergent profile
-> that access to diagnosis and recognition of AuDHD is important
-> calling for diagnostic frameworks that ensure no one with AuDHD is left behind because their ‘symptoms’ don’t fit neatly into currently existing separate categories of autism & ADHD
April 14, 2025
Grateful for the steps taken — hopeful for the steps still to come.
As someone who was late-identified as both Autistic and ADHD, I wish this book had existed back when I was first trying to piece everything together. It would have helped me feel less alone in the confusion and more reassured that what I was experiencing was real, valid, and beginning to be understood — even within clinical spaces.
There’s something genuinely powerful in seeing a psychiatrist take AuDHD seriously and attempt to explain it as its own, complex neurotype. Dr Sadiq’s effort to raise awareness within the medical field is valuable, and his breakdown of co-occurrence, diagnostic challenges, and the call for better frameworks is a vital contribution. Books like this are steps toward systemic recognition, and for that, I’m grateful.
But… there’s also a sense that the book isn’t quite written for us — the people actually living as AuDHD. It still frames AuDHD as something to be “managed” rather than understood, something “treated” rather than embodied. It speaks about us, more than to us. The language isn’t always neuroaffirming, and at times it leans into generalisations and deficit-based language that many of us have spent years unlearning.
There’s little reflection of lived experience, community insight, or identity-affirming perspectives. And while the clinical explanations are useful, they sometimes miss the emotional and sensory nuances that define our day-to-day lives.
That said, this book is a start — and we need starts. We need professionals willing to engage, learn, and evolve. I appreciate Dr Sadiq’s work and intentions. I hope future editions or works will include voices from within the community to enrich the narrative with deeper empathy and connection.
This is a good resource for professionals, educators, or newly curious readers. But for those of us who are AuDHD, it may feel like a stepping stone — not the destination.
As someone who was late-identified as both Autistic and ADHD, I wish this book had existed back when I was first trying to piece everything together. It would have helped me feel less alone in the confusion and more reassured that what I was experiencing was real, valid, and beginning to be understood — even within clinical spaces.
There’s something genuinely powerful in seeing a psychiatrist take AuDHD seriously and attempt to explain it as its own, complex neurotype. Dr Sadiq’s effort to raise awareness within the medical field is valuable, and his breakdown of co-occurrence, diagnostic challenges, and the call for better frameworks is a vital contribution. Books like this are steps toward systemic recognition, and for that, I’m grateful.
But… there’s also a sense that the book isn’t quite written for us — the people actually living as AuDHD. It still frames AuDHD as something to be “managed” rather than understood, something “treated” rather than embodied. It speaks about us, more than to us. The language isn’t always neuroaffirming, and at times it leans into generalisations and deficit-based language that many of us have spent years unlearning.
There’s little reflection of lived experience, community insight, or identity-affirming perspectives. And while the clinical explanations are useful, they sometimes miss the emotional and sensory nuances that define our day-to-day lives.
That said, this book is a start — and we need starts. We need professionals willing to engage, learn, and evolve. I appreciate Dr Sadiq’s work and intentions. I hope future editions or works will include voices from within the community to enrich the narrative with deeper empathy and connection.
This is a good resource for professionals, educators, or newly curious readers. But for those of us who are AuDHD, it may feel like a stepping stone — not the destination.
April 12, 2025
Who is this for?
Is it for people living with both conditions? - nope, contains no real strategies in order to help them live. I learned nothing.
Is it for fellow clinicians? - I get the feeling they would rather refer to primary literature. The ones that most need to read this, won't.
Is it for uneducated laypeople? - this is my closest guess. This would be a great intro for someone who was only vaguely aware that Autism and ADHD exist, and had no idea they could co-occur. Teachers, parents, employers, etc..
It seems there are only two types of books (and authors) available regarding living with neurodivergent conditions:
1.) TikTok-ified language, dopamine-dressing, fidget toy-sporting, special interest-having walking, talking balls of prue cringe that make me want to peel off my own skin rather than be associated with them.
2.) Dry, jargon-laced scientific texts meant to inform someone else about you, rather than allowing you to inform yourself. This is the way I've been talked about my whole life, by experts, educational psychologists, teachers, learning support assistants: as if I wasn't there.
Perhaps I'm being too harsh - the author clearly set out with good intentions. I'm just frustrated that I spent my money and entrusted my time and energy into another book not really written for me, that gave me nothing I didn't already know.
Where are the books that combine real, up to date science with practical advice for living, without the need to crowbar in TikTok buzzwords, and are written exclusively for the benefit of people living with these conditions? I'm sure they're out there. I'll find them.
Is it for people living with both conditions? - nope, contains no real strategies in order to help them live. I learned nothing.
Is it for fellow clinicians? - I get the feeling they would rather refer to primary literature. The ones that most need to read this, won't.
Is it for uneducated laypeople? - this is my closest guess. This would be a great intro for someone who was only vaguely aware that Autism and ADHD exist, and had no idea they could co-occur. Teachers, parents, employers, etc..
It seems there are only two types of books (and authors) available regarding living with neurodivergent conditions:
1.) TikTok-ified language, dopamine-dressing, fidget toy-sporting, special interest-having walking, talking balls of prue cringe that make me want to peel off my own skin rather than be associated with them.
2.) Dry, jargon-laced scientific texts meant to inform someone else about you, rather than allowing you to inform yourself. This is the way I've been talked about my whole life, by experts, educational psychologists, teachers, learning support assistants: as if I wasn't there.
Perhaps I'm being too harsh - the author clearly set out with good intentions. I'm just frustrated that I spent my money and entrusted my time and energy into another book not really written for me, that gave me nothing I didn't already know.
Where are the books that combine real, up to date science with practical advice for living, without the need to crowbar in TikTok buzzwords, and are written exclusively for the benefit of people living with these conditions? I'm sure they're out there. I'll find them.
April 22, 2025
I was really quite mixed on this.
The content is largely brilliant. It's a really excellent detailed discussion on AuDHD.
However, reading the book cover to cover was at times quite challenging due to the significant repetition at times. This is really helpful for those who flick to random pages and read as each section gives context, but as a cover to cover reader It doesn't quite work as well.
Overall, highly recommended
The content is largely brilliant. It's a really excellent detailed discussion on AuDHD.
However, reading the book cover to cover was at times quite challenging due to the significant repetition at times. This is really helpful for those who flick to random pages and read as each section gives context, but as a cover to cover reader It doesn't quite work as well.
Overall, highly recommended
July 27, 2025
I preorder this. Had I read the reviews first I wouldn't have botherd.
It has a lot of words but says very little.
It is really POORLY EDITED with so many repeated sentences and points that it becomes mentally painful to read. I get that it had to make comparisons but it was not consise.
As an AuDHD person I was hoping for clarity and insight. I found neither. The level of info is comparable to a short blog found on many websites
It has a lot of words but says very little.
It is really POORLY EDITED with so many repeated sentences and points that it becomes mentally painful to read. I get that it had to make comparisons but it was not consise.
As an AuDHD person I was hoping for clarity and insight. I found neither. The level of info is comparable to a short blog found on many websites
April 16, 2025
I want to preface this that I do think the author had good intentions and I really struggled to decide on what to rate this book, but I settled for two stars. Generally, I’m keen to support neurodivergent authors writing about neurodiversity but sadly this book missed the mark.
There were inaccuracies in terminology relating to neurodiversity and where these terms came from (As explained in Emily Katy’s review). This book was too deeply rooted in the medical model for me, at one point it recommended ‘behavioural therapies’ for autism. This is a broad term which would include ABA (autistic conversion therapy). Incredibly dangerous generalisation to make and a missed opportunity to discuss how behavioural therapies can harm autistic people.
I felt towards the end of the book, it started to redeem itself a bit with discussing how AuDHD can present, with some of it being relatable for me. But I can’t forgive some of the issues in the earlier chapters. I’m not sure if this book was peer reviewed by other neurodivergent people, but I think this would have been incredibly helpful. I was excited about this book and it could have been a real game changer, but it wasn’t up to date, neuroaffirming or entirely accurate.
There were inaccuracies in terminology relating to neurodiversity and where these terms came from (As explained in Emily Katy’s review). This book was too deeply rooted in the medical model for me, at one point it recommended ‘behavioural therapies’ for autism. This is a broad term which would include ABA (autistic conversion therapy). Incredibly dangerous generalisation to make and a missed opportunity to discuss how behavioural therapies can harm autistic people.
I felt towards the end of the book, it started to redeem itself a bit with discussing how AuDHD can present, with some of it being relatable for me. But I can’t forgive some of the issues in the earlier chapters. I’m not sure if this book was peer reviewed by other neurodivergent people, but I think this would have been incredibly helpful. I was excited about this book and it could have been a real game changer, but it wasn’t up to date, neuroaffirming or entirely accurate.
June 9, 2025
It was rather repetitive.
September 12, 2025
Alex Partridge was in fact wrong, this was not a masterpiece. Not even close.
This would have saved me a lot of research when I started looking into AuDHD but, besides validating AuDHD people (maybe?, to be honest I am not sure what was the point of this mess of a book), it does nothing. There is some recognizing, 1% embracing and no thriving. Not sure who is supposed to "Recognise it, Embrace it and Thrive with it". Wasn't me for sure.
The book feels written and edited by people that wanted to be the first to write an new shinny book about AuDHD and, for one, I was fooled by the Dr. in front of the author's name and Alex Partridge's endorsement. But it's a mess of repeating basically the same too types of people as examples. And repeating the same ideas again and again. Sometimes on the same god damn page!
Has the same feeling of a long high school essay when you just needed to squeeze a few more pages, like 100 pages more.
I almost threw away the book when on a 200ish page I saw "AuDHD - which means Autism and ADHD". The irony of not knowing your audience's attention span...
If you want to understand some mechanisms behind an AuDHD brain to be a supportive partner and you are bored and have nothing better to do with your life, check it out. If you struggle towards a self diagnosis or want to learn how to god damn "thrive", save yourself...
This would have saved me a lot of research when I started looking into AuDHD but, besides validating AuDHD people (maybe?, to be honest I am not sure what was the point of this mess of a book), it does nothing. There is some recognizing, 1% embracing and no thriving. Not sure who is supposed to "Recognise it, Embrace it and Thrive with it". Wasn't me for sure.
The book feels written and edited by people that wanted to be the first to write an new shinny book about AuDHD and, for one, I was fooled by the Dr. in front of the author's name and Alex Partridge's endorsement. But it's a mess of repeating basically the same too types of people as examples. And repeating the same ideas again and again. Sometimes on the same god damn page!
Has the same feeling of a long high school essay when you just needed to squeeze a few more pages, like 100 pages more.
I almost threw away the book when on a 200ish page I saw "AuDHD - which means Autism and ADHD". The irony of not knowing your audience's attention span...
If you want to understand some mechanisms behind an AuDHD brain to be a supportive partner and you are bored and have nothing better to do with your life, check it out. If you struggle towards a self diagnosis or want to learn how to god damn "thrive", save yourself...
December 15, 2025
i’m not really sure who this was for but it wasn’t for my audhd self
April 5, 2025
Wow. Anyone glancing through my Goodreads history will quickly notice I read a lot about neurodivergence. As someone who was diagnosed late with both autism and ADHD, this is perhaps the only book I’ve come across that truly captures how masking can occur across both conditions—and how their interplay makes it incredibly difficult to untangle the symptomology. As the kids say these days, I felt seen. But more than that, I came away with a fresh perspective. Instead of viewing these seemingly conflicting parts of myself as constantly pulling in opposite directions, I could see how, at times, they actually complement one another—creating moments of balance. Brief flashes of equilibrium through disequilibrium.
It also highlights why so many of us receive a late diagnosis. The camouflaging effect is very real, and in my case, it only truly revealed itself after starting medication for my (equally late-diagnosed) ADHD.
Yes, there is some repetition, but I didn’t find it overdone. It served a purpose—reinforcing key ideas and helping to frame them within the broader narrative.
A brilliant book, and a powerful piece of advocacy for a topic that remains sorely underrepresented.
It also highlights why so many of us receive a late diagnosis. The camouflaging effect is very real, and in my case, it only truly revealed itself after starting medication for my (equally late-diagnosed) ADHD.
Yes, there is some repetition, but I didn’t find it overdone. It served a purpose—reinforcing key ideas and helping to frame them within the broader narrative.
A brilliant book, and a powerful piece of advocacy for a topic that remains sorely underrepresented.
April 10, 2025
I already knew everything in this book by doing my own research. I was hoping for new info or at least resources to look to, but I wasted my money on this book.
June 9, 2025
An informative book on how Autism and ADHD present in their own ways and how they interact with each other when they both present in a person. It was fairly easy to engage with and though I found it repetitive in parts, I think it’s a useful tool for those who want to understand the foundation of either condition or have/care about people in their lives who show traits. I like that this book is also written from an objective pov but from someone with a lived and educated experience who can convey the spectrum in an accessible way
July 16, 2025
Decent intro text for an adult or teen unfamiliar with the topic.
January 4, 2026
Not impressed with this book! I’m a professional in the field and hoped to learn something. I didn’t really like the style - very ‘I’m the expert’ - not very humble - and I didn’t find it particularly neuro-affirmative. It certainly isn’t ’a masterpiece’ imho. Disappointing.
July 9, 2025
This book was written like a clinical report with rather cautious language and many repetitions throughout, so a bit of a tedious read, and I was left wishing the author had perhaps written more about his own experience since he was diagnosed with AuDHD himself. However, the way the book underlines similarities between ADHD and autism and discusses AuDHD symptoms and how challenging they can be to live with was highly interesting (I must have highlighted half of the book). Overall, I highly recommend it to anyone who has been wondering if and where on the spectrum they fall.
November 6, 2025
This was one of the worst books I have ever forced myself through. There are books that are difficult to read, because:
• they use difficult language / terminology or writing style
• they have a very slowly developing storyline
• they don‘t have any dramaturgy / tension curve
• they don‘t offer any new insight
• they leave the reader stranded towards the end without any resolution
But THIS…
I do enjoy being emotionally captivated by a book— be it joy, sadness, anger or desperation, you name it. Yet I have never been this mad about a non-fiction book like I have about this one.
At times I felt like I was stuck in an endless loop of repetition, self-citation and a never-to-be-satisfied craving for any form insight that I hadn‘t already encountered 100x in the same book.
I seriously contemplated at times, if this was written by AI. Who edited this?! And if so, did they READ the book? Did anyone ever actually read this book, including the author? It makes me mad to just think about what a waste of time this was, because I am genuinely interested in the topic… (I bought it for a reason)
I will give this book one ⭐️ though: For pushing me towards the meditative growth-process. I went from „rolling my eyes about reading the same phrase for the n-th time“, through frenetic frustration, through disbelief, only to end up being really proud of myself for actually finishing it. If I can finish this book, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to!
The audacity to release this as „A Guide“ with 200 pages boggles my mind. This could have easily been an interesting (yet full of mistakes) blog entry, but not a book.
For the sake of neurodiversity and the peace of potential future readers: Just don‘t. Unless you want to directly pass through to the stages of the Bardo Thodol.
• they use difficult language / terminology or writing style
• they have a very slowly developing storyline
• they don‘t have any dramaturgy / tension curve
• they don‘t offer any new insight
• they leave the reader stranded towards the end without any resolution
But THIS…
I do enjoy being emotionally captivated by a book— be it joy, sadness, anger or desperation, you name it. Yet I have never been this mad about a non-fiction book like I have about this one.
At times I felt like I was stuck in an endless loop of repetition, self-citation and a never-to-be-satisfied craving for any form insight that I hadn‘t already encountered 100x in the same book.
I seriously contemplated at times, if this was written by AI. Who edited this?! And if so, did they READ the book? Did anyone ever actually read this book, including the author? It makes me mad to just think about what a waste of time this was, because I am genuinely interested in the topic… (I bought it for a reason)
I will give this book one ⭐️ though: For pushing me towards the meditative growth-process. I went from „rolling my eyes about reading the same phrase for the n-th time“, through frenetic frustration, through disbelief, only to end up being really proud of myself for actually finishing it. If I can finish this book, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to!
The audacity to release this as „A Guide“ with 200 pages boggles my mind. This could have easily been an interesting (yet full of mistakes) blog entry, but not a book.
For the sake of neurodiversity and the peace of potential future readers: Just don‘t. Unless you want to directly pass through to the stages of the Bardo Thodol.
April 28, 2025
I really liked this book for someone who has only recently been diagnosed with ADHD and looking into AuDHD. This helped me understand and recognize things in myself. It helped me to recognize what is apart or autism and what is ADHD and how they interact with each other. If you already understand that then this book isn’t for you.
My only complaint is that there isn’t more information on how to manage AuDHD. Which is understandable because there really isn’t much progress that has been made for this diagnosis so there aren’t a lot of techniques to manage it.
This is more of an understanding book - technical - rather than a self help book.
I related to this and it helped confirm to me that this is something I have and need to look into further.
My only complaint is that there isn’t more information on how to manage AuDHD. Which is understandable because there really isn’t much progress that has been made for this diagnosis so there aren’t a lot of techniques to manage it.
This is more of an understanding book - technical - rather than a self help book.
I related to this and it helped confirm to me that this is something I have and need to look into further.
April 10, 2025
It was so refreshing to see a psychiatrist have so tremendous insight in AuDHD and the whole tridimensional spectrum of it. I identified so much with some of the statements (you with ENT was me with paeds!) and you helped me understand why I struggle with open v broad questions on topics I’m passionate about. I would’ve loved a more neuroaffirming and less repetitive stereotype approach, like hyperactivity isn’t just physical yet those are the main examples given, and so on.
I appreciate the diversity of names and gender identities ❤️
I appreciate the diversity of names and gender identities ❤️
April 20, 2025
A very long winded way of saying autism and adhd can co-occur and that when it does it’s complicated! Maybe because of my own dual understanding and diagnosis I found this far too repetitive and laboured the point. This might be a harsh review as anyone without an understanding of neurodivergence may find it useful.
Read
June 4, 2025Hard to rate as I already knew a lot of the information.
October 27, 2025
repetitive
December 31, 2025
This was helpful in some ways and unhelpful in others. I skipped through a lot of the initial descriptions of autism and ADHD on their own as it was a) not really new information to me, b) very generalised - not noting that traits are not universal, and c) I bought the book because I wanted to primarily find out how ADHD and autism look TOGETHER not separately.
What I did find useful and interesting, however, as someone who was already diagnosed with ADHD and awaiting assessment for autism (now diagnosed):
--> the case studies of various patients with AuDHD and how they present
--> the descriptions of how certain traits of ADHD/autism may interact with each other
--> the advocacy for not only diagnosing AuDHD as its own diagnosis (or both ADHD and autism together in one assessment), but also updating the diagnostic criteria to account for both being present and for developing better treatment plans that take both into account simultaneously.
--> The sections on the neurobiology of ADHD/Autism were really interesting, explaining which regions of the brain are affected, and how they share similar origins between the two conditions. Also explaining the genetic and hereditary nature of AuDHD.
What I found disappointing was that the book lacked any serious suggestions of what support may help/be trialled, or any guidance on how to find the right help that is appropriate for supporting both conditions at the same time.
Overall, this was a somewhat useful read while I was awaiting my autism assessment, but limited in practical help it can provide.
What I did find useful and interesting, however, as someone who was already diagnosed with ADHD and awaiting assessment for autism (now diagnosed):
--> the case studies of various patients with AuDHD and how they present
--> the descriptions of how certain traits of ADHD/autism may interact with each other
--> the advocacy for not only diagnosing AuDHD as its own diagnosis (or both ADHD and autism together in one assessment), but also updating the diagnostic criteria to account for both being present and for developing better treatment plans that take both into account simultaneously.
--> The sections on the neurobiology of ADHD/Autism were really interesting, explaining which regions of the brain are affected, and how they share similar origins between the two conditions. Also explaining the genetic and hereditary nature of AuDHD.
What I found disappointing was that the book lacked any serious suggestions of what support may help/be trialled, or any guidance on how to find the right help that is appropriate for supporting both conditions at the same time.
Overall, this was a somewhat useful read while I was awaiting my autism assessment, but limited in practical help it can provide.
August 26, 2025
Maybe 3.5 stars rounded up? It's hard to say. This was recommended by my psychiatrist after I got my ADHD diagnosis on top of my autism one. It was written by a psychiatrist who does assessments, and well that really came across. I think it would have easily rounded up to 4, if there had been a search and replace of "symptoms" with "traits". The focus was really on, these things are abnormal.
One example that stood out was a woman who worked as a police officer and spent her evenings building what sounded like an awesome lego set in her attic. She was happy, she had a job. Yet this was bad because she'd rather spend time on her own doing things that made her happy rather than socialising like a normal person.
The author thought that AUDHD was definitely a separte thing to ADHD and Autism. But the first half of the book is looking at them as totally separate things. I really wanted more on the interseting ways these two diagnosis can combine. The combination discussed really only considered the "spontinety" part of the ADHD side. There's just so much more to say and learn.
It seems the majority of books are either personal reminisce or clinical. And I think we really need something in between. An oral history of multiple voices of people, all talking about their own challenges and happiness.
One example that stood out was a woman who worked as a police officer and spent her evenings building what sounded like an awesome lego set in her attic. She was happy, she had a job. Yet this was bad because she'd rather spend time on her own doing things that made her happy rather than socialising like a normal person.
The author thought that AUDHD was definitely a separte thing to ADHD and Autism. But the first half of the book is looking at them as totally separate things. I really wanted more on the interseting ways these two diagnosis can combine. The combination discussed really only considered the "spontinety" part of the ADHD side. There's just so much more to say and learn.
It seems the majority of books are either personal reminisce or clinical. And I think we really need something in between. An oral history of multiple voices of people, all talking about their own challenges and happiness.
October 7, 2025
An interesting read on a subject I'm very invested in. It has a lot of valuable insights, and describes how Autism and ADHD interact well. I can see a lot of my own experiences, and experiences of friends, in this. Worth a read for anyone wondering if this might be them.
On the flip side, this is a bit of slog. Things are repeated many times over, to the point that I wonder if each chapter was imagined as an individual essay. If you have a good understanding of both Autism or ADHD individually, then the first chunk of the book is skimmable. There's a lot of consideration of 'treatment' but no real conversation around societal change, which I believe is a large factor in negative experiences of those with Autism/ADHD.
The takeaways are good. We do need more research. Support does need to be improved. Clarity on how these differences intersect will help those with both find greater understanding. It would be nice if it was a bit more personal, given the author is AuDHD.
On the flip side, this is a bit of slog. Things are repeated many times over, to the point that I wonder if each chapter was imagined as an individual essay. If you have a good understanding of both Autism or ADHD individually, then the first chunk of the book is skimmable. There's a lot of consideration of 'treatment' but no real conversation around societal change, which I believe is a large factor in negative experiences of those with Autism/ADHD.
The takeaways are good. We do need more research. Support does need to be improved. Clarity on how these differences intersect will help those with both find greater understanding. It would be nice if it was a bit more personal, given the author is AuDHD.
August 4, 2025
Sadiq neatly compares the symptoms/features of autism and ADHD, as well as how they interact and manifest in AuDHDers. However, the book is relatively thin on how to treat it or live with it, mainly because it is so new as a recognised condition that research and understanding is still quite limited. At times, the author’s preference for structure leaves sections of the book repetitive, though far from unreadable - this is perhaps understandable given his AuDHD.
Overall, this was an affirming and informative read for me, as would be for those who suspect they have AuDHD. More importantly, this should be prescribed reading for parents, teachers, psychologists, therapists, medical practitioners who live/work with clients with ADHD and/or autism, given the two diagnoses are very often comorbid.
Overall, this was an affirming and informative read for me, as would be for those who suspect they have AuDHD. More importantly, this should be prescribed reading for parents, teachers, psychologists, therapists, medical practitioners who live/work with clients with ADHD and/or autism, given the two diagnoses are very often comorbid.
September 10, 2025
Just looking for some information about AuDHD as there's not very much out there about the concurrance of these two neurodivergent conditions. Sadiq does an interesting job of bringing the two together and posits that autism and ADHD are part of a spectrum of neurodiverse symptoms rather than being two separate conditions. Interesting stuff, but left me with a lot of questions.
There is also an awful lot of repetition in the text which had me wondering if I was rereading things that I'd already read, but no, I think it just shows evidence of sloppy editing.
There is also an awful lot of repetition in the text which had me wondering if I was rereading things that I'd already read, but no, I think it just shows evidence of sloppy editing.
July 18, 2025
I don't really read books, especially all the way through. This book however i forced my self to read though and was kind of disappointed. As someone with ADHD and I suspect Autism I did find myself relating to the struggles in this book quite a lot.
However it was a challenging read, especially for someone with ADHD as basically every page said the same thing, just slightly worded differently.
About half way through I could of sacked it off.
I didn't really learn much from this book.
However it was a challenging read, especially for someone with ADHD as basically every page said the same thing, just slightly worded differently.
About half way through I could of sacked it off.
I didn't really learn much from this book.
July 31, 2025
There is some useful information here but it is incredibly repetitive. This really could have been a long form article instead. I understand that there is a new edition due in January 2026. I hope this one is better edited. There’s no need to read the second half of the book at all as absolutely no new information is included it’s just a rehash of the first half.
August 1, 2025
Important but rather clinical
This book is important and thorough and needed. The writing is clear but clinical and a little repetitive... It seems directed at NT readers and clinicians. I was hoping for a little more insight into how to personally live and thrive with a neurodiverse brain. But it was very much worth the read.
This book is important and thorough and needed. The writing is clear but clinical and a little repetitive... It seems directed at NT readers and clinicians. I was hoping for a little more insight into how to personally live and thrive with a neurodiverse brain. But it was very much worth the read.
August 18, 2025
I wanted to like this book, I listened to a fantastic podcast with the author as a guest and I pre-ordered the book off the back of it but leave reading it feeling like I could summarise it in a handful of bullet points. It’s very repetitive.
As an AuDHDer it offers no helpful advice and it fails to explain AuDHD in a way that could be useful to those around me.
As an AuDHDer it offers no helpful advice and it fails to explain AuDHD in a way that could be useful to those around me.
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