Significant Trait Overlap in Autism, ADHD, Giftedness, and Burnout
8-Page Download Unpacking the Shocking Trait Overlap That Inspired the Origin of the Term 'Neurocomplexity'
Have you ever wondered why there seems to be so much overlap in the descriptions of Autism, ADHD, Giftedness—and even burnout?
While most of the world refers to ADHD and Autism as inherently distinct neurological profiles, emerging research paints a different picture. Not only is there a high co-occurrence rate between ADHD and Autism, but there's also growing recognition of shared traits across these neurodivergent identities. This includes significant overlap with Giftedness and the experience of neurodivergent burnout.
Let’s start with the data.
Studies have found that 22–83% of Autistic children also meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD (Ronald et al., 2008; Matson et al., 2013; Sokolova et al., 2017). In the reverse direction, 30–65% of children with ADHD display clinically significant levels of Autistic traits (Ronald et al., 2008; Sokolova et al., 2017). These numbers are more than just coincidental—they reflect an undeniable overlap in behavior, cognition, and functioning.
From a genetic perspective, the picture becomes even clearer: approximately 50–72% of contributing genetic factors are shared between ADHD and Autism (Sokolova et al., 2017). This strong genetic and phenotypic crossover is why many individuals and professionals have adopted the term AuDHD (Autism + ADHD) to describe those who embody both profiles.
Beyond Diagnostic Labels: The Role of Giftedness
My work in assessing Autism and ADHD in adults has also revealed how Giftedness complicates and enriches the picture. Traits associated with gifted individuals—intense sensitivity, rapid information processing, deep emotional responses, asynchronous development—can often resemble or overlap with characteristics seen in Autism and ADHD.
While Giftedness is not a clinical diagnosis, it plays a critical role in understanding how a person processes the world. The overlap is so substantial that we’ve created Venn diagrams to help clients visualize the similarities and distinctions across these three neurotypes. When traits interact in the same person, they don’t cancel each other out—they amplify complexity.
Burnout: A Shared Experience of Neurodivergence
Perhaps most importantly, about 90% of the adults I assess for Autism, ADHD, and/or Giftedness have experienced at least one significant episode of burnout—a type often referred to as neurodivergent burnout. Unlike typical burnout, neurodivergent burnout stems from sustained efforts to mask or conform to neurotypical expectations, often in work or social settings.
This form of burnout presents with persistent emotional, mental, and physical fatigue that is not relieved by standard rest or breaks, and it can include symptoms such as apathy, decreased satisfaction with life, headaches or chronic pain, and disruptions to eating and sleeping patterns.
So What Do These Overlaps Actually Look Like?
Glad you asked.
To illustrate what my brain is processing during a neurodivergent assessment, I’ve created an Overlap Table of characteristics from the DIVA-5—the standardized, empirically-supported tool we use to assess ADHD. For each of the diagnostic criteria in the DIVA-5, I identified:
Where traits also appear in Autism, Giftedness, or Burnout
The rationale for their overlap across neurotypes
In other words, when a client endorses a behavior during an ADHD assessment, I'm not just considering ADHD—I'm actively analyzing the possibility of Autism, Giftedness, and/or Burnout as contributors to that behavior. This table is a visual and practical tool that reflects the layered, nuanced thinking necessary in differential diagnosis and neurodivergent affirming care.
Want to See for Yourself?
I’ve prepared a comprehensive 8-page document that breaks down all of these insights. Whether you're a therapist, coach, medical provider, or simply someone trying to better understand yourself or a loved one, this guide offers an accessible, research-informed framework for understanding neurodivergent complexity.
[Click below to access the full document...you’re going to want to see this!]