What is neurodivergence?
About neurodivergence and neurodiversity
Neurodivergence describes people whose brains process information differently in certain areas than what is considered "neurotypical" in society – for example, in the areas of attention, perception, learning, impulse control or social communication.
Neurodivergence is not a standalone medical term, but a descriptive concept; it does not automatically imply illness or disability.
Concrete examples
ADHD: difficulties with attention, impulse control, or organization
Autism: particularities in social communication, sensory processing, or the need for routines
Dyslexia: pronounced difficulties in reading and writing
Dyscalculia: persistent difficulties with numbers and calculation processes
Tic disorders / Tourette syndrome: motor or vocal tics
Neurodiversity refers to the entire diversity of neurological differences in a society. It means that people think, perceive, learn, and communicate differently – and that these differences are a normal part of human diversity.
In summary
Neurodivergent = an individual with a neurological variation outside the neurotypical norm
Neurodiversity = the overall diversity of such neurological differences
ADHD in Adults
ADHD (ICD-11: 6A05) is a neurobiological developmental disorder of self-regulation, characterized by a persistent and developmentally inappropriate pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Symptoms typically begin in early childhood (before the age of 12), must be present in at least two different areas of life (e.g., school, work, family) for at least six months, and lead to clinically significant impairments.
The symptoms typically begin in early childhood (before the age of 12), must be present in at least two different areas of life (e.g., school, work, family) for at least six months, and lead to clinically significant impairments in those areas.
ADHD can persist into adulthood; its external manifestation often changes with age.
The ICD-11 distinguishes three subtypes: predominantly inattentive (6A05.0), predominantly hyperactive-impulsive (6A05.1), and combined (6A05.2).
Sources: ICD-11 Code 6A05 (WHO, 2022); S3 Guidelines for ADHD in Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood (AWMF Registration No. 028-045, DGPPN/DGKJP); Federal Ministry of Health.t.
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Autism Spectrum (ASD)
The autism spectrum disorder (ICD-11: 6A02) is a neurological developmental disorder characterized by two core areas: (1) persistent deficits in initiating and maintaining reciprocal social communication and interaction, as well as (2) restricted, repetitive, and inflexible patterns of behavior, interests, or activities that are clearly atypical or excessive for the age and sociocultural context. There are often also sensory peculiarities in the form of hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory stimuli.
The symptoms are typically present since early childhood – even if they only manifest as a disorder when social demands exceed compensatory capabilities and lead to clinically significant distress or impairments in daily life.
The ICD-11 consolidates previous diagnoses (childhood autism, Asperger's syndrome, atypical autism) under a unified spectrum term and differentiates through subcodes based on intellectual and language impairment (6A02.0–6A02.5).
Sources: ICD-11 Code 6A02 (WHO, 2022); S3 Guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Diagnosis and Therapy (AWMF Registration No. 028-018 and 028-047, DGKJP/DGPPN); DSM-5 (APA)
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AuDHS (ADHD & ASD)
Comorbidity refers to the simultaneous presence of two or more independently diagnosable disorders in a person. For ADHD (ICD-11: 6A05) and autism spectrum disorder (ICD-11: 6A02), a simultaneous diagnosis was long not permitted – only with the DSM-5 (2013) and the ICD-11 (2022) was the co-occurrence of both disorders officially recognized. The ICD-11 explicitly states:"Autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders can occur together, and both diagnoses can be made if the diagnostic criteria for each are met."
The combination is increasingly clinically recognized as AuDHS designated.
Frequency
Studies show that 30–80% of people with ASD also meet the criteria for ADHD; conversely, about 30–50% of individuals with ADHD exhibit pronounced autistic traits. Genetic overlaps are thought to be partly responsible for this common competitive pattern: approximately 50–70% of the genetic variants of both disorders overlap, and the heritability for both is around 70–80%.
Sources: ICD-11 6A02/6A05 (WHO, 2022); DSM-5-TR (APA, 2013); Frontiers of Psychiatry.
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Typical Symptoms
Attention:
Significant concentration problems with uninteresting tasks, while also experiencing strong hyperfocus; often accompanied by forgetfulness, disorganization, and weaknesses in working memory.
Emotion regulation:
Low frustration tolerance, emotional overwhelm, and in stressful situations, also meltdowns or shutdowns; additionally, an increased risk for anxiety, depression, or exhaustion as secondary issues.
Sensory and behavior:
Over- or under-sensitivity to stimuli, mood, as well as a tension between a strong need for structure and simultaneous impulsivity or daily chaos.
Social interaction:
Difficulties with social signals and nonverbal communication, as well as impulsive or erratic conversation; relationships are often strained, but for different reasons.
Diagnostically important:
ADHD and autism spectrum disorder can mask each other. Therefore, careful differential diagnosis by specialized professionals is particularly important.
Important Official Sources
NICE: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (Guideline NG87).
NIMH: Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).