Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Dr. Chris McDougle, a psychiatrist who is the Director of Lurie Center for Autism, notes that “ADHD is very common in children with autism. And like in regular ADHD, the hyperactivity and impulsivity can lessen over time when you get into teenagers or early adult years. But the inattention can persist.”

Some of the signs of ADHD in autistic adults are:

• Hyperactivity

• Impulsivity

• Inattention

• Problems with organization or executive function

Medication

Many patients with ADHD benefit from medication but experts like Dr. McDougle indicate that autistic patients respond differently to medication than their neurotypical peers.

Harvard Medical School’s free Clinician Course for medical providers, Clinical Care for Autistic Adults, provides clear and extensive advice to medical providers about best practices for treating autistic adults, including specific guidelines for medication.

Additional content in development September 2023