Both identified
A single report describing both profiles, how they interact, and strategies that hold both truths at once.
Assessment
Combined Autism & ADHD Assessments
Two profiles, one assessment journey. Because being assessed for one at a time is how people end up with half an answer twice.
Overview
Who this is for
- People who recognise themselves in both descriptions
- Anyone told they are 'too social to be autistic' and 'too organised to have ADHD'
- Families where both profiles already run in the family
- Adults whose ADHD diagnosis explained the chaos but not the exhaustion
Why someone might seek this
None of the following confirms anything on its own. They are simply the experiences people most often describe when they contact us.
- Craving routine and simultaneously being unable to stick to one
- Intense focus on interests alongside impossible task initiation elsewhere
- Social exhaustion combined with impulsive over-sharing
- Sensory sensitivity plus a constant need for stimulation
- Previous single-condition assessments that ended in 'traits, but not enough'
In short
Can someone be both autistic and have ADHD?
Yes. Since 2013, when DSM-5 removed the previous prohibition, autism and ADHD can be formally diagnosed together, and research suggests that between twenty and fifty per cent of autistic people also meet criteria for ADHD. The combined profile, sometimes informally called AuDHD, is not simply the two lists added together. The profiles interact, and often appear to contradict each other: a strong need for routine alongside difficulty maintaining one, intense sustained interest alongside an inability to start ordinary tasks, sensory sensitivity alongside sensation-seeking. This is why single-condition assessments can miss both, since each profile can appear to explain away the features of the other. A combined assessment gathers one shared developmental history and set of informant accounts, then applies both sets of diagnostic criteria within a single multidisciplinary review. The pathway begins with pre-assessment and enrolment forms, which are reviewed by the clinical team. If mental health needs are present, we may advise a mental health assessment before continuing. We then complete the autism assessment first, using the ADI-R and a full clinical history to inform part of the overall assessment. For children and adults, the ADOS-2 observation takes place at The Chill Out Centre in Colchester. We then move to the ADHD assessment, which is completed online. The whole assessment team meets to discuss all findings before we invite you to a feedback session to share our conclusions. Your written report follows within six weeks of the feedback session. The outcome may be autism, ADHD, both, or neither, but the reasoning is made explicit either way, and the recommendations account for how the profiles interact in real life.
What information is gathered
- Completed pre-assessment and enrolment forms from the person being assessed, parents or carers, and informants where required
- A full clinical history, including the ADI-R developmental interview, used to inform both the autism and the overall assessment
- Autism-specific questionnaires and standardised tools such as the ADOS-2, ADI-R, ACIA or RAADS-R, chosen by the clinical team
- ADOS-2 observation completed at The Chill Out Centre, Colchester
- ADHD-specific structured interview and rating scales, completed online
- For children, a school observation or, where a school does not allow professionals to attend, a phone call and questionnaire with a member of education staff
- Sensory profile, executive function and daily living information
- Informant accounts from home, school or work where available
- School reports, previous professional letters and any earlier assessments
How decisions are made
Both criteria sets are applied in a single multidisciplinary review that explicitly considers how each profile may be masking or amplifying the other, rather than assessing one and then the other in isolation. The whole assessment team meets to discuss all autism and ADHD findings together before any outcome is shared. At least two clinicians from different professional backgrounds consider the evidence against DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 criteria and NICE guidance. No single clinician makes a diagnostic decision alone.
What you can expect
- Pre-assessment and enrolment forms reviewed by the clinical team before the assessment begins
- If mental health needs are identified in the forms, we may ask for further information or advise a full mental health assessment first
- The autism assessment is completed first, informed by the ADI-R and clinical history, with the ADOS-2 observation at The Chill Out Centre in Colchester
- The ADHD assessment is then completed online
- The whole assessment team meets to discuss findings before you are invited to a feedback session
- One report covering both profiles and their interaction, sent within six weeks of the feedback session
- Recommendations designed for the combined profile, not two competing lists
The process
Your assessment journey
8 clear stages, each explained before it happens. You will never wonder what the next contact is about.
Outcomes
Outcomes and next steps
One identified
Clear reasoning about why the other did not meet threshold, and what else explains those experiences.
Neither identified
A full account of what we found instead, with recommendations and onward routes.
Medication
Medication and next steps
We do not prescribe medication. Our role is a thorough diagnostic assessment and a detailed report. If ADHD is identified, we will refer you to ADHD Plus, our trusted partner, who offer comprehensive ADHD assessments in the UK. With your consent, we share your report and contact details with ADHD Plus so they can contact you directly. We cannot guarantee their timescales, so we encourage you to call ADHD Plus after two weeks if you have not heard from them.
Go to ADHD PlusWhat to say when you contact ADHD Plus
Use this short script if you have not heard from ADHD Plus within two weeks of your referral:
- Hello, my name is [your name].
- I was referred to ADHD Plus by Sensational Minds after an ADHD assessment.
- My report and contact details were shared with your team with my consent.
- I have not heard from you yet and wanted to check the next steps.
- Could you let me know what will happen next, or when I might expect to hear from a clinician?
What we share with ADHD Plus and how we ask for consent
We will only share the minimum information needed for ADHD Plus to continue your care. You are in control and can decline.
What we share
- Your completed Sensational Minds ADHD assessment report.
- Your full name, phone number and email address so they can contact you.
- A brief clinical summary of the ADHD findings relevant to medication review.
What we do not share
- Raw session recordings or transcripts.
- Information that is not relevant to your ADHD medication enquiry, such as unrelated family details.
- Any information if you do not give consent.
How we ask for consent
- 1During or after your feedback session we will explain why a referral to ADHD Plus may help.
- 2We will send you a consent form or ask you to confirm consent in writing.
- 3You can ask questions, take time to decide, or decline without affecting your assessment report.
- 4Once you consent, we securely send the information and confirm by email that the referral has been made.
Answers
Combined Autism & ADHD Assessments: your questions answered
Written to be genuinely useful, and short enough to read at the end of a long day.
How much does a combined assessment cost?
The combined autism and ADHD assessment is £3,300. Pathway pricing is fixed and confirmed in writing before you commit, so there are no add-ons partway through. Ask us about payment plan options.
Is a combined assessment cheaper than two separate ones?
Yes, usually significantly. Developmental history, informant gathering and clinical review are shared rather than duplicated, so the combined pathway typically costs less than two standalone assessments and takes less of your time.
What is AuDHD?
AuDHD is an informal community term for being both autistic and ADHD. It is not a formal diagnostic label, reports record both diagnoses separately, but it is a useful shorthand for a profile whose lived experience is genuinely different from either condition alone.
How long does a combined assessment take?
Typically eight to twelve weeks end to end, with five to eight hours of direct contact across several appointments. Your written report is sent within six weeks of the feedback session.
Which is diagnosed first if I have both?
Neither. Both are considered together in the same clinical review, which is precisely the point of the combined pathway. We usually complete the autism strand first, including the ADOS-2 observation, before moving to the online ADHD assessment.
Why is the autism assessment completed before the ADHD assessment?
We complete the autism assessment first because the ADI-R and clinical history inform part of the overall assessment. The ADOS-2 observation also takes place in person at The Chill Out Centre in Colchester, so it is scheduled before the online ADHD assessment.
Where does the ADOS-2 observation take place?
The ADOS-2 observation takes place at The Chill Out Centre in Colchester. This is our shared clinic space, used by appointment only.
Is the ADHD assessment online?
Yes. The ADHD assessment is completed online, using a structured diagnostic interview and rating scales.
Can medication still be considered?
Yes. Where ADHD is diagnosed, your report supports a conversation with your GP about medication, alongside the strategies and support we recommend. If you want to explore ADHD medication privately, we will refer you to ADHD Plus with your consent.
What happens after the assessment if ADHD is identified?
You receive a full written report and a feedback session is offered. If you want to explore ADHD medication, we will refer you to ADHD Plus, our trusted partner, who offer comprehensive ADHD assessments in the UK. With your consent, we share your report and contact details with ADHD Plus so they can contact you directly about their next steps.
How do medication discussions work with ADHD Plus?
ADHD Plus work independently of Sensational Minds. Once we refer you and share your report and contact details with your consent, their clinicians review the information and contact you directly. They will explain their process, fees and any further appointments needed. We cannot guarantee their timescales, so we encourage you to call ADHD Plus after two weeks if you have not heard from them.
Is medication the only option after an ADHD diagnosis?
No. Medication is one option, but many people manage well with strategies, coaching, environmental adjustments, sleep improvements and workplace or school support. We discuss all of these in your report and feedback session, whether or not you choose to be referred to ADHD Plus.
Will ADHD Plus definitely prescribe medication?
Not necessarily. Prescribing decisions depend on a full clinical review by ADHD Plus, including your physical health history, current symptoms and whether medication is safe and appropriate. They may recommend further assessment, monitoring or non-medication approaches first.
My child was assessed for autism and it was inconclusive. Can you help?
Often, yes. Inconclusive outcomes are common where ADHD has not been considered alongside. We review previous reports as part of the pathway rather than starting from zero.
Do you assess children and adults?
Both. The tools change with age and communication style; the structure of the pathway does not.
Will the report cover school and workplace needs?
Yes. Recommendations are written separately for home, education and employment as relevant to your situation.
What do I need for the online part of the assessment?
For the online ADHD session, you need a quiet, private space, a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a piece of paper and a pencil to hand. Where the assessment is for a child or young person, a parent or carer must be present in the background.
What people say
"Receiving our son's autism diagnosis has made such a positive difference. It has given us a much deeper understanding of him, the way he experiences the world and why certain things can be challenging for him. Instead of feeling unsure or worried, we now feel empowered to support him in the right ways so he can thrive and be fully understood. What also meant so much to us was that the care didn't stop once the diagnosis was given."
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book a no-obligation consultation, or send us a question and we will reply within one working day.