AuDHD: Practical Strategies For Co-occurring Neurodivergence

How does AuDHD present in children?

• Contradictory behaviours: being deeply focused one moment and easily distracted the next
• Sensory sensitivities: these can make certain environments and situations overwhelming
• Internal hyperactivity: hyperactivity isn't always visible to others
• Executive function challenges: such as planning, organisation, and completing different tasks
• Burnout: which can be caused by the effort of trying to self-regulate

Common challenges for children with autism and ADHD

All of our children are unique, so one AuDHD child may present very differently to the next. Below, we've outlined some of the most common challenges of the co-occuring conditions:

• Difficulty transitioning from one task to another, especially when they are focused deeply on something
• Challenges managing strong emotions and finding ways to calm down and regulate
• Sensory processing difficulties, such as managing busy, loud, or bright environments
• Holding in or 'masking' during the school day, only to come home and let all their emotions out where they feel safe
• Having conflicting needs, which often can make them feel misunderstood

Practical ways to support your child with AuDHD

Introduce break or timeout signals

• Agree on a simple hand signal, card, or word so they can ask for a break
• Use visual guides and prompts to help them recognise when they are becoming overwhelmed

Help your child manage transitions

• Give countdowns and use timers so changes don’t feel sudden
• Use bridging statements, such as “Let’s finish this part, then move on.”
• Join the child or young person in their activity for a short time before helping them shift focus

Encouraging calm time

• Pair calmtime with movement, like yoga, walking, or using a trampoline
• Try an “energy first, then calm” approach, letting the child release their energy before relaxing
• Offer heavy work activities such as digging, carrying, or pushing to support regulation
• Create calm, appealing spaces with blankets, cushions, soft lighting, or a favourite item

Help your school understand your child's needs

• Share with teachers that hyperactivity can be internal, not always visible
• Explain that fidgeting often helps children and young people regulate, rather than distracts them
• Suggest adjustments such as flexible seating, fidget tools, and movement breaks

Looking for more support on AuDHD? 

In this webinar, Colette Longden, Training Director from Blueprint Learning, shares practical advice for supporting children with AuDHD. Exploring what is AuDHD, and how different forms of neurodivergence overlap. She also discusses the complexities and paradoxes of the AuDHD profile. Plus, practical strategies to help support AuDHD children and young people.

Each week on Instagram, we post a question box where you can submit questions for our expert webinar speakers.