ADHD and Autism: Different Ways the Brain Regulates Action, Attention, and Emotion
ADHD and autism are often talked about as behaviour conditions.
In reality, they are differences in how the brain regulates starting, stopping, and switching.
Both involve executive functioning, but in different ways.
ADHD: difficulty applying inhibition in time
In ADHD, the brain often struggles to pause before acting.
This means:
Thoughts, words, or actions happen before there’s time to stop them
Emotional responses can come out quickly and strongly
Stopping, waiting, or holding back takes effort
This can look like impulsivity, interrupting, emotional outbursts, or acting before thinking — not because the person doesn’t care, but because the pause comes too late.
Autism: difficulty releasing inhibition and shifting attention
In autism, the brain often pauses early and holds that pause.
This means:
Starting tasks can feel overwhelming
Switching focus or plans takes time
Responses may be delayed
The nervous system prioritises safety, predictability, and clarity
This can look like freezing, rigidity, shutdown, or needing more time to respond — not because the person is unwilling, but because the brain is still regulating.
Both are regulation differences, not behaviour problems
Neither ADHD nor autism is about effort, motivation, or intelligence.
They reflect how the brain manages control:
when to stop
when to start
how to shift
how to regulate emotion and attention
Why this matters for parents
When we misunderstand regulation as behaviour, we:
push when the brain needs time
punish reactions that aren’t deliberate
When we understand regulation, we:
adjust expectations
reduce pressure
support skill-building instead of compliance
For people who are both autistic and ADHD (AuDHD)
Some people experience both patterns:
difficulty pausing before acting
difficulty starting or switching once paused
This can create internal conflict and exhaustion, especially when expectations don’t match how the brain works.
If this is about you
If you recognise yourself here:
you are not lazy
you are not difficult
you are not failing
Your brain regulates differently.
Understanding that isn’t about labels —
it’s about self-compassion and better support.
The takeaway
ADHD and autism are not opposites and not deficits.
They are different ways of regulating attention, action, and emotion — and understanding that helps everyone respond with more clarity and kindness.
