When Autism (ASD) and ADHD show up together, parenting gets confusing fast. In this episode of Angel’s Awesome Minds, we break down the research behind ASD-only, ADHD-only, and ASD + ADHD combined, and explain why the overlap creates challenges that are exponential, not additive.

You’ll learn why ASD and ADHD co-occur so often, how diagnosis timing affects children, and the real differences in social behavior between the two conditions. Most importantly, we uncover the metric every parent needs to understand: adaptive functioning—the strongest predictor of a child’s long-term independence, daily living skills, communication, and social development.

We also discuss early intervention, behavior therapy, medication response differences, and why ASD severity—not ADHD—drives the biggest challenges in real-world functioning.

This episode is perfect for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone supporting neurodiverse children who want clearer direction, practical insights, and research-backed guidance.